Hi all! My name is Sarah Bett. I’m a sophomore majoring in Community, Environment, and Development (CED). I’m from Pittsburgh PA, however, I’m quickly finding a new love for State College. There’s nothing I love more than to be around people and to be outdoors getting my hands dirty, so I knew the Student Farm was a perfect fit for me! I found out about the summer internship after I joined the Student Farm Club in the fall. It made me realize just how much sustainability can impact agriculture (and how agriculture can impact sustainability!) as well as how local communities can be made a part of that impact.
I’ve learned that it takes a lot more than just manual labor to work on a farm! It’s not all technical skills, but rather a balance with interpersonal skills and judgment/analytical skills. Yes, there’s going to be manual labor, but you also have to have decent math skills, be able to make quick decisions and possess good communication abilities. To me, sustainable agriculture is local and accessible. It can focus on meeting today’s community’s needs without putting the needs of tomorrow’s community at risk. I hope to learn how I can incorporate sustainable agriculture and sustainable food systems into local communities in meaningful ways. I also hope to learn how to not just implement sustainable agriculture, but also be able to educate communities on its importance.
“Community” can mean a lot of things. It could be the town or city you grew up in, your school, your group of friends, your religious group, or any group you identify with. As such, we all belong to many communities. When I think of the food system at my synagogue, I think of how there could be a community garden or workshops to teach the community members how to garden at home. To be a leader, you have to be a part of the team and not see yourself as a boss. You have to be decisive, empathetic, organized, and level-headed. It’s necessary to listen to others and put oneself into their shoes to see things from their perspective. Although I still need to work on being more decisive and confident, hopefully, I’ll be able to master those skills through my time as an intern on the farm! I have loved (and continue to love) being a part of the Student Farm Club, and I cannot wait to really see how things work as an intern!