My name is William McCausland, and I am a student farm intern starting this year! I am a junior majoring in Plant Sciences Agroecology, with a minor in food systems. I’ve always been interested in sustainable agriculture, and this internship opportunity seemed like the perfect way for me to get directly involved with the on-campus food systems that exist. For the first two years of my college career, I studied Environmental Science at the University of Arizona. Tucson, Arizona is a vastly different ecosystem than what we have in State College; that presents itself with a number of its own agricultural and environmental issues, centered mainly around water and food availability.
I used to think that areas with limited growing space dealt more heavily with problems like food insecurity. In Tucson, fresh and healthy food was significantly more costly than any other options, leading students to stray away as many of them are normally trying to be economically sustainable. After transferring, and joining the Student Farm Club, I learned that even areas as agriculturally productive as central Pennsylvania can experience significant issues with food insecurity. Many residents in rural areas, like Center County, struggle with hunger and access to healthy options. Not only this, but students on campus at Penn State tend to gravitate toward less nutritional food as it’s cheaper and more convenient.
The involvement of the Student Farm works to minimize the impacts of food insecurity on campus by contributing healthy options to dining halls, and also donating a portion of our produce to the Lion’s Pantry. On top of that, our involvement with CSA’s are a great way for students and anyone to guarantee themselves with locally grown, quality products. It is really inspiring to be able to work as an intern, because I know that I am working to help assist these programs with fellow students who share the same passion that I do for sustainability and agriculture. The Student Farm Program has taught me what it means to contribute positively to your community, and how leaders in agriculture can have a huge impact on the future of food for its citizens, students, et cetera.
For me personally, a lack of communication on food insecurity and sustainability has proven to be a serious issue, especially with those who may not be experiencing it directly. Through my involvement with the Student Farm (and club), I started the Green Fox, an online magazine centered around sustainability and agriculture. The goal of the magazine is to provide space for students and researchers to display their own work and research, as well as to foster an awareness of these actions—as well as environmentally-focused events, projects, and movements—that influence local communities, schools, and businesses.
Thanks to the Student Farm Program, my mission of raising awareness on the associated problems with agriculture can be explored, and it has also allowed me to expand my knowledge and understanding of food systems within the United States!