While the Student Farm started with humble beginnings as a one-acre pilot, it has grown significantly both in size and programmatic reach since it was established in 2016. Originally launched as a 3-year pilot, the formation of the farm came about when a hardworking group of students partnered with faculty and staff to locate a space where we could learn about sustainable food systems and agriculture in an interactive and hands-on way. The farm is now four acres and is adding its sixth high tunnel this year. We have added frost-free water lines, on-farm cold storage, electricity and WiFi, which are essential to the educational and operational missions of the farm.
We now have a unique opportunity to take our efforts to the next level. We recently completed the design for a new farm facility that would transform the way our program can engage with students across the university: The Farm Hub. Continue reading to learn more about the Farm Hub, our other expansion efforts and our goals as we continue into the future.
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
This new facility will be a central workspace 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, train-the-trainer sessions, larger classes and countless other opportunities in nearly any weather condition. It will also streamline production workflows and provide more comfortable environments for the students that learn and work with us.
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.
Help Us Grow
Lesley Larson
Associate Director of Development
Student Affairs
Phone: 814-865-3216
E-mail: lesleylarson@psu.edu