Hi everyone! My name is Olivia, and I am part of the summer and fall intern cohort this year! I am excited to continue my journey within the Student Farm and gain more knowledge and experience as I go along!
When I was in high school, I worked at a local orchard and farmer’s market for a summer job, but I quickly fell in love with the entire experience and wanted to learn as much as I possibly could. As I continued working at the orchard, I became closer with the family and the workers who taught me not only technical skills, but also expanded on my knowledge of fruits and vegetables to the most that they possibly could. I was given multiple opportunities to be a part of the planting process all the way up through the harvesting of the crops, and I found it to be extremely rewarding to see the entire process from start to finish. I was appreciative of the exposure I received in doing tasks like putting my hands into the dirt with a pepper seedling and then months later picking peppers off that same plant and seeing the joy and excitement that customers got from locally grown produce. I shared their excitement and joy and wanted to continue my career and education in a field that would continually provide that for me.
As a junior at Penn State, I am currently studying Plant Sciences with a concentration in genetics and biotechnology, which allows me to continue learning and teaching others as much as I know and continue to learn. I personally chose this pathway within my major because I see how individuals struggle with food insecurity and how challenging it is to be able to nourish your body with limitations in the food supply. Working with plants and altering their benefits to enhance them, has always been an attractive trait to me, so that we are able to provide individuals with the same nourishment and balance that many of us have immediate access to.
This past fall I had the opportunity to work on the Student Farm as a crew member and was immediately engrossed in the way that the farm connects with the Penn State community as well as the local community. It was refreshing to see a student led organization that provided for others and had agricultural as their concentration and focus. The students and staff that work on the farm are so welcoming and provide an environment that is difficult to not fall in love with and want to be a part of. I learned so much within only a few months and thoroughly enjoyed the knowledge that I gained as well as the connections and friends I made as well. I look forward to being able to work alongside others and be a part of a tight knit community that centralizes their attention on helping others while educating them and making them feel appreciated.
I am extremely grateful to be involved at the Student Farm and work with others from all backgrounds as we share memories and knowledge with one another and continue to grow!