Anyone who walks Penn State’s campus can sense that the university is rooted in agriculture. From our origins as Farmers’ High School to our world-famous Berkey Creamery ice cream, agriculture is woven throughout Penn State’s history. Today, students are invited to engage with the campus food system in an even more transformative way through the Sustainable Food Systems Network. Our network provides students with the resources and support they need to become impactful citizens and leaders of tomorrow.
Each program in our network— including a 4-acre working campus farm, on-campus gardens, student organizations, community partnerships and academic collaborations— are managed by students from nearly every discipline. Our students gain real-world leadership experience in communication, critical thinking, teamwork, professionalism, equity and inclusion.
Since launching, our student leaders have done more than just grow 66,000 pounds of produce. They have been at the forefront of campus food justice initiatives, reshaped the culture of campus engagement, brought fresh produce into campus dining halls and experimented with new growing techniques— all with minimal physical infrastructure to work with. We now have a unique opportunity to take our efforts to the next level. We have completed the concept design for a new farm facility that will transform the way our program can engage with students across the university: the Farm Hub.
The Farm Hub
With the help of DIGSAU, the architecture firm we are working with, we’ve designed a facility that will include the following features:
- Temperature controlled wash/pack station
- Outdoor classroom
- Restrooms (finally!)
- Kitchen
- Enclosed office space
- Amphitheater for classes and events
- Tool storage
- Pollinator garden
- Accessible gravel pathway
Our students envision the new farm facility as a multi-functional space for both educational programming and sustainable food production. Its practical, flexible design will elevate the farm’s functionality to be able to host student leadership retreats, cooking classes, film screenings, pop-up farmers markets, large classes, and countless other opportunities in nearly any weather condition. This expansion will not only streamline our production processes but also create a more comfortable and inspiring environment for the students who learn and work here. Here’s where your support will make an impact.
Putting Down Roots
Along with the new Farm Hub, we plan to implement other features to improve access, farming operations, and the range of student learning opportunities and community involvement on the farm.
Year Round Growing & Learning
New high tunnels on the farm now allow us to grow in every season, meaning we can support year-round visits and produce offerings for campus.
More Community Event Space
Community is a priority for us. We have goals to build flexible event spaces that can host anywhere from 50 to 1500 guests.
Perennial Food Forest
This alternative growing method will expand experiential learning opportunities and the range of foods we can grow.
Diverse Gardens
Our new gardens around the farm site will include a Natural Dye Garden, a Mushroom Yard, an Indigenous Garden, a Pennsylvania Natives Garden and a Perennial Berry Field.
Transportation & Accessibility
Safe and easy access to the farm remains a top priority. Transportation enhancements now include electric-assist bicycle docking, CATA bus service to the farm, and special event busing.
Outdoor Community Kitchen
Just as the kitchen is often the heart of the home, we envision an outdoor kitchen space as a vibrant focal point on the farm for teaching, learning and enjoying farm-fresh vegetable culinary creations.
We Need Your Support
As we begin the process of growing our infrastructure, we invite our community to remain engaged in envisioning the programming that can happen in this space. What activities and events do you want to see on the farm? How can these new spaces serve your campus and community organizations?
Building a new farm facility is no easy task, but we believe this new space will have endless potential for our students and greater community. Please consider giving to this student-led expansion effort by giving though the button below or contacting our development director. An investment in this space is an investment in the impactful citizens and leaders of tomorrow.
Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross
The newly named Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm has a bright future full of possibilities, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Ross. Dr. Ross lives at The Village in State College, and she was named Penn State’s 2020 Philanthropist of the Year. Dr. Ross has a unique connection to the farm in that she can see it out her window! She has visited the farm over the past several years during events held for Village residents and the community.
This personal connection with the farm motivated Dr. Ross to donate $2 million to its expansion and operation in November 2020. This donation came at a critical time for the farm, as it is currently undergoing a major expansion. The extraordinary gift will allow the farm to expand not only its size, but also its technology and capacity for community engagement.
Students, alumni and faculty are thrilled about this permanent support for the farm program. The opportunities from here are endless, and we are excited to explore the future!
Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross
The newly named Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm has a bright future full of possibilities, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Ross. Dr. Ross lives at The Village in State College, and she was named Penn State’s 2020 Philanthropist of the Year. Dr. Ross has a unique connection to the farm in that she can see it out her window! She has visited the farm over the past several years during events held for Village residents and the community.
This personal connection with the farm motivated Dr. Ross to donate $2 million to its expansion and operation in November 2020. This donation came at a critical time for the farm, as it is currently undergoing a major expansion. The extraordinary gift will allow the farm to expand not only its size, but also its technology and capacity for community engagement.
Students, alumni and faculty are thrilled about this permanent support for the farm program. The opportunities from here are endless, and we are excited to explore the future!
Help Us Grow
Eric Reinhard
Campaign & University Initiatives
Phone: 814-867-0769
E-mail: ereinhard@psu.edu