By: Jake Wozniak
Hi, my name is Jake and I’m a third year agribusiness management student with a horticulture concentration. My major provides a unique blend of business basics such as marketing, management, finance, and accounting with specialties related to the multimillion-dollar food and fiber industry. The art that is gardening and the nuances that go into running a business are a fascinating mix, and are what drew me to the Student Farm internship.
I’ve never worked on a farm before, and am very excited to see what it’s all about. While I sit here writing this, we haven’t been able to start work in the field yet due to a snowstorm that hit us at precisely the worst time. Not to worry though, our diverse team of interns and fearless leader, Leslie Pillen, adapted to our unfortunate circumstances. We used this time to finalize our seed starting plan, start seeding transplants in the greenhouse with the Student Farm Club, build shelving in our vegetable cellar, and much much more. No matter how much you prepare there will always be variables that cannot be controlled (i.e. snowstorm), and that is a lesson that I am sure will be reinforced throughout the growing season.
Interns and club members planting seeds. Photo: Jake Wozniak
That being said, farm planning and knowledge is essential in order to mitigate these types of problems and successfully operate a farm. For example, you have to know how to calculate the amount of seed required and who to buy it from, develop a planting calendar which includes succession planting, know when to till to preserve the soil biology, know how to harvest and process crops to maintain the highest quality for the consumer, know how to keep accurate records for accounting purposes and benchmarking, and know how to market your crops and operate a supply chain. The list goes on, but these are just some of the skills required to be a successful agriculturist.
Jake Wozniak watering trays of newly-planted seeds
I have gained experience working with nature in my family’s landscaping business. Through this work, I discovered a great deal about myself. I am passionate about working with my bare hands in harmony with nature, and the peaceful exhaustion you feel after a long day of hard work is something I value. Working on the Student Farm to provide fresh produce through sustainable practices is something I am proud to be able to put my name on. I aspire to have my own personal vegetable garden one day, and possibly something even bigger. This experience as a production intern at the Student Farm is invaluable, and something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I look forward to what will be an awesome growing season for both the crops and myself.