Congrats to our Seniors!

Our Student Farm interns, executive team and club members have put tons of effort into promoting sustainability, agricultural awareness and inclusivity around the community, and we are so proud of everything they have accomplished! As our incredible seniors prepare to graduate, we’d like to highlight some of the things they’ve done and where they hope to go. Continue reading to learn more about this outstanding class of undergraduates, and be sure to congratulate them on their hard work!

Tess Kaveney

My name is Tess Kaveney, and I am a Plant Science Horticulture major, Student Farm Intern, Field Production Director on the Student Farm Club executive board and manager of the rooftop garden on campus. The past two years at Penn State has been amazing! I have had the opportunity to run my own workshops, learn important skills and meet some wonderful people. Being a part of the Student Farm has given me the chance to do what I love (farming and growing mushrooms) and discover new passions I never knew I had! I am currently applying for Penn State Extension jobs so I can educate others about important agricultural and environmental issues in our society. I am sad to be leaving but I am looking forward to a future in agriculture!

Olivia Kranefuss

When I joined the farm virtually during our Covid school year, I had no idea that those Zoom meetings to make our own beeswax wraps and discuss foraging techniques would become one of the most meaningful parts of my time at Penn State. Through the Student Farm and club, I have found a community of like-minded and supportive people who always inspire me with the important work they are doing. I’ve had the opportunity to see the joy in bringing communities together by planning our annual Harvest Fest and first ever Student Farmer Conference with an incredible team. And I have developed a stronger sense of place the more I engaged with my local food system, something I will continue to appreciate and develop after college. When I graduate, I hope to continue working with food systems-related topics, from sustainable food production to equitable food distribution. And next year, I’ll miss having the chance to sample the leafy pea shoot cover crops or golden ground cherries straight from the soil whenever I visit the farm – yum!

Will McCausland

My time spent at the farm has been incredible. My summer internship was one of the best experiences I have ever had – I have never grown food before, yet I have spent so much of my life surrounded by agriculture. I have built lifelong friendships, had amazing experiences, and have become so much more connected with the land/environment than I ever had before. After transferring to Penn State from the University of Arizona, arriving here as a junior was a bit scary considering that I felt my time here wouldn’t be enough. I realize how wrong I was now, as I feel like I have truly been able to explore my interests and passions to the fullest extent. The club has allowed me to take hold of leadership opportunities, become more acquainted with sustainable agriculture, and has just been so enjoyable and fun. I feel like I have developed a very well-rounded view of food systems, and how integral agriculture is in today’s society. I hope to take this knowledge with me into future careers by working closely with small farms and supporting underrepresented agricultural groups to the best of my ability. I hope to pursue graduate school, and work in food labor and policy, but I think my ultimate goal would be to attend culinary school and become even more connected to agriculture through food by supporting local/small farmers and making healthier food more accessible to those in underprivileged areas.

Audrey Subers

I came to a meeting my first semester of college and was immediately captivated by the vibes and tasty potluck. I literally fell in love at first bite and knew I wanted to be on the executive team. The Student Farm Club has shaped my college career ever since, introducing my new passions rooted in sustainability and agriculture. I love how I can show up with a low social battery but still leave feeling full, with a bag of fresh veggies to bring home just to make sure. Everyone is so nice and has such niche interests, so I can always expect a fun chat. From mornings on the roof top garden to nights cooking miso eggplant under the harvest moon, I love my memories with the Student Farm. I since changed my major from civil to biological engineering, and now have a capstone project working to ease flooding and erosion while promoting crop production. Life makes sense. I hope everyone has a similar experience when they follow their curiosity. After graduation, I plan to celebrate 😉

Emily Romberger

Joining the student farm has been an amazing growth opportunity in my final days as a Penn State student. In just one semester, I’ve met so many inspiring people, gained a stronger understanding for sustainable agriculture and food systems, and developed both personally and professionally. As a non ag science major, I never thought I would find myself enjoying working with plants and soil so much. It is never too late to start something new, join a club, or explore the community to find new interests and passions!

Medi Setiawan

I remember coming to my first meeting with Student Farm Club as a junior, and I quickly regretted that I had not known about it earlier. This club has allowed me to build meaningful connections with so many brilliant, wonderful, and kind people. I also learned about being responsible; both as a club member and as a resident of this planet! I am most active as a leader for the Cooking Collab project team, where we organize regular sessions of communal cooking class that focuses on healthy, sustainable, and internationally diverse cuisines. The most meaningful takeaways from running this project is learning endless cultures that is delivered through food, exploring the food systems and cuisines in State College, and expressing one’s own creativity through cooking. After graduation, I will continue to graduate school to pursue research in sustainable cement. I want to say thank you to all the people that I’ve met through this club for having contributed an incredibly huge impact on my personal growth.

Elena Kochmaruk

Prior to working at the student farm, I had no agricultural experience, and much less of a clue what I wanted to do with my life. The farm welcomed me with open arms, igniting a passion for sustainable agriculture and food system equity I hope to transfer into my future career. While learning about sustainable agriculture was the main goal of my internship, the farm has given me so much more over the last year– a community of like-minded farmers, the confidence to manage my own garden, and some of the best friends I could ever ask for. 🙂

Kimi Mate

As a graphic design major, I would have never thought that there would be a place for me at the farm. Since Fall 2021, I have been on the communications team for the farm as the graphic design intern. My experience in this role has been one of the most impactful experiences throughout college. I have had the opportunity to learn about communications and marketing for a brand, while also learning more about the farm. I have loved being able to combine my passion for design and the environment throughout this position and have met so many great people to guide me along the way. After graduation, I hope to find a career in a design or marketing studio, so that I can explore several aspects of design and work with a variety of different clients.

David Moyer

From cooking collabs, to hydroponics, to rooftop gardening, the Student Farm provided an unforgettable, all-inclusive learning experience! Future plans include working in software development, achieving a PhD in bioinformatics, and launching a sustainable agritech business.

Marley Citrone

My time working for the student farm has been an incredible experience in my final year at Penn State. I have learned so much about caring for crops and sustainable farming systems as well as meeting so many creative and wonderful people. Getting a hands-on experience on the Student farm has been one of the most beneficial experiences I have had as a student, and I will always cherish my time spent on the farm and in the greenhouses!

Grant Hoffer

I have been working with the Student Farm since I joined as an intern in Spring 2021. Working on the farm has been an excellent way to get to know new people; it’s amazing to me how the farm can bring people together from all different backgrounds and involve so many people in the different projects that take place on it! From mushroom logs to beehives to solar panels, it is never a dull moment on the farm. My favorite thing about the farm is having the opportunity to leave the bustle of downtown State College and become involved in the natural world around us. I also have certainly developed a better appreciation for where our food comes from, and I have become passionate about providing people with good quality food. One of the best things is leading a tour around the farm and exposing people to nature in a way they may not usually have the opportunity to experience. My time at the farm has inspired me to start my own farm in the long-term after I graduate. In the short-term, I am hoping to continue along the path of plant-based research I started while here at Penn State to provide farmers, policy makers, and other scientists information about our food systems as we head into the future.

Ayiana Biddle

Interning at Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm at Penn State was the highlight of my summer. I gained hands-on experience working on the four-acre farm with a wonderful team. I am thankful for having the opportunity to work with the other interns as we were together every day of the week and supported one another as a team effort. I enjoyed every moment from morning meetings to trellising tomatoes in the high tunnels. It was challenging at times, but I’ve gained a deeper sense of appreciation for the work that goes into running a productive farm. I’m forever grateful for this experience.

Sophie Eyer

My internship with the Student Farm gave me a love for locally sourced food. I not only learned how to farm but also how to create a better sense of community within Penn State. I am very grateful for the relationships I’ve developed over the course of my internship. After graduation I am moving to Wisconsin to work as a Community Development Extension Educator. I am sad to leave the farm but I am excited to see it grow!

Kara Miller

I am graduating with a B.S. in Community, Environment, and Development with a minor in International Agriculture. I Interned with The Student Farm starting in 2021. It was a great experience to learn the operations of a small-scale vegetable farm and the contributions the farm has to the community. I did not know how much the Student Farm influenced me, but upon graduating, I am in the search of work supporting food access, sustainability, and local food systems.

Kaleena Czajkowski

Hi, my name is Kaleena and I am graduating this spring with a major in agricultural science with a minor in Horticulture. I am extremely thankful for the Student Farm and I will miss it when I graduate. I came from a branch campus so it was the first real community I joined at University Park. Everyone was so nice and extremely welcoming and it made coming here an easier adjustment. I hope to continue my love for regenerative agriculture when I graduate but I hope to come back and visit in a few years to see how much the Student Farm has grown.

Alex Zhu

My time spent at the Student Farm has been one of the most impactful experiences during college, and it’s always fascinating to immerse myself in the farm environment. Volunteering at the Student Farm, participating in the Cooking Collab, and going on the DC Urban Agriculture Trip have been three of my favorite events. After graduation, I will be interning at Hackensack Meridian Health with their DTS Team.

Eric Gurklis

We are so proud of Eric’s accomplishments and can’t wait to see what great things the future holds for him!