Farm Operations
The Student Farm is a 4-acre diversified vegetable market farm. We have 6 primary growing fields and 6 high tunnels. Within these growing areas, we grow nearly 200 different varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers; you name it, we have it!
This content is brought to you by our wonderful interns, Brenna Fitzpatrick and McKenna Loney!
Low-Till Practices
As a sustainable farm, we implement reduced tillage to minimize soil disturbance. We do not use a four-wheel tractor, however we have two BCS walking tractors that we use to prepare our seedbeds for planting. Besides the BCS, we rely on hand-held tools and manual labor. Some examples of these include stirrup hoes, push seeders, and broadforks.
Integrative Pest Management (IPM)
Instead of using pesticides on the Student Farm, we utilize Integrated Pest Management strategies. Interns will scout for potential pests in the field, monitor crop damage, and implement strategies to minimize pest pressure. On the farm, we encounter everything from small insects to groundhogs!
Integrative Pest Management (IPM)
Instead of using pesticides on the Student Farm, we utilize Integrated Pest Management strategies. Interns will scout for potential pests in the field, monitor crop damage, and implement strategies to minimize pest pressure. On the farm, we encounter everything from small insects to groundhogs!
Crop Rotations
Among our sustainable practices, we implement a 12-year crop rotation plan for our fields and high tunnels that illustrates the sequencing of various crops and families. Crops include cash crops such as tomatoes, basil, and cut flowers, and cover crops that protect and maintain soil health.
By rotating crops in the same plot of land, we are promoting nutrient cycling, reducing pest and weed pressure, and supporting soil microbes and biodiversity.
Soil Amending
Organic soil amending works hand-in-hand with our crop rotations and tillage practices. Soil contains many nutrients– Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and (15!) more— that are constantly being used by the crops to grow their best. Before planting each cash crop, we reference soil test results from Penn State’s head soil lab and apply the required forms of natural soil amendments.
Soil Amending
Organic soil amending works hand-in-hand with our crop rotations and tillage practices. Soil contains many nutrients– Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and (15!) more— that are constantly being used by the crops to grow their best. Before planting each cash crop, we reference soil test results from Penn State’s head soil lab and apply the required forms of natural soil amendments.