Hi! My name is Maddy and I’m an upcoming Student Farm Intern for the 2023 growing season!
I am a rising fourth year Plant Science major with a focus in Agroecology. The Student Farm was one of the driving factors in my decision to enroll at Penn State. I found its commitment to sustainability to be an important aspect to not only the Student Farm, but the entire school community as a whole. In the fall of 2022, I was a farm hand for the Student Farm, and this experience gave me a true respect for the farm’s values and goals.
Growing up in Eastern Pennsylvania, I was surrounded by nature. As often as I could, I would explore the woods outside my house for hours on end, only coming back inside to help my dad cook. Adventuring and exploring the outdoors was one of my favorite things about being a kid. I knew from a young age how important it was to have a connection with nature and translating that passion into the food we eat. As I got older, I found a passion for exploring the outdoors during my free time, doing things like hiking, camping, biking, and traveling.
Since my first job at a roadside farmstand, constantly working hands-on with vegetable plants has given me an undying love for the outdoors and sustainable food production. My passion for agriculture stemmed from working as a farm hand at a handful of my local farms and orchards as a teenager. I found the connection between the food, people and the earth to be such a fundamental aspect in one’s well-being and sustainability. The Student Farm is vastly different from the small-scale farms I’ve worked at. They have a different structure and larger outreach than what I am used to, and it has been an inspiring learning curve for me since last fall. I am eager to continue broadening my horizons and knowledge about sustainable farming and food systems.
My work with the Student Farm has provided me with a much deeper understanding of the farming process, outside of the fundamentals. I have been able to put value on the connection of food and the people the Student Farm provides for. I hope to be able to facilitate and connect my experiences as a student with my experiences on the farm. I am excited to begin my internship with the Student Farm and to connect their core beliefs with my own.