By: Geoff Merz, junior, Community, Environment, and Development

Who’s that? The Nittany Lion? Is that broccoli in his hand?! For the Penn State vs. Pitt football game, the Student Farm Club had the amazing opportunity to be featured at the President’s Tailgate and sit in the President’s Box during the game. 

The tailgate: Before each home football game, President Eric Barron invites hundreds of generous alumni to convene before the game, enjoy a delicious meal, and connect with one another. It was a wonderful opportunity to laugh with and talk to alumni and community members about the work we are doing on the farm and how they can get involved.   

As the featured club, the Student Farm decided to make a statement by contributing over 375 lbs. and 15 different types of fresh produce for the tailgate lunch. Melon salad, creamed spaghetti squash, and salmon with ground cherry chutney were all dishes that incorporated the Student Farm’s foods.

The energy at the tailgate was high as everyone cheered with the lion, cheerleaders and band and sung along to the Penn State Alma Mater.

The Blue Band entertaining guests and leading cheers at the tailgate.

During the meal, we had a few tables set up with information about the farm and a host of interactive games. Fostering student learning, building community, and growing nutritious food- yeah that us! Oh you want to test your herb identifying abilities solely on your nasal olfactory receptors aptitude, step on over here!

After many fruitful conversations, the party was moved to the Presidents Box in Beaver Stadium to watch the Pitt vs. Penn State showdown.

Members from the Student Farm Club and faculty advisors posing in front of their interactive display at the Presidents tailgate. And yes, those hats come from sustainably grown cotton.

The Game: After a short bus ride to the stadium and a jam-packed elevator ride to the highest floor, we marched into the Presidents box. It was a great chance to further talk with the alumni about their lives and share some of our experiences on the farm. From speaking to one of the biggest compost producers in the Pennsylvania to chatting with Governor Tom Wolf about his work in India expanding the use of high-yield rice, it was amazing to see how agriculture can be a means for connecting with others. It was also gratifying to hear the support they have for student-led organizations and the value of something like the Student Farm Club in terms of engaging students and developing the surrounding community.

It was surely a big moment for the Student Farm. Not only a pat on the back for the hard work that everyone involved with the farm has done, but also a sign of support for what is yet to come.

Student Farm Club Co-Exec’s Carissa Heine and Izaiah Bokunewicz casually accompanying President Eric Barron and his wife Molly Barron.