The Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm Expansion Plan + Farm Hub Concept meeting was held virtually on Thursday, January 14. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members were invited to learn about the farm’s proposed expansion plan and provide feedback and suggestions . The presenters included Leslie Pillen, Associate Director of Farm and Food Systems, Derek Kalp, Landscape Architect with the Office of Physical Plant, and Kristen Roth, a master’s student of landscape architecture.
The meeting began with a review of the farm’s goals: to foster hands-on learning in sustainable food systems, cultivate community, and increase access to local foods for the Penn State community. Through its expansion, the Ross Student Farm hopes to further develop programming and facilities to support these goals.
Over the past few years, the Ross Student Farm has made an effort to hear and be responsive to the intersts of students, faculty, staff and community members as they planned their expansion. This effort included community check-ins where people could share their ideas. After many meetings with the public, planners were able to identify the most important aspects of an expansion.
The first set of important additions to the farm were made possible by $400,000 approved for the farm by Penn State’s Central Administration. As of January 14, additions include the instillation of electricity, and water with frost-free hydrants. Over the next couple of months, WiFi and deer fencing will be added. These facilities will help the farm operate in a variety of conditions and serve as a better educational space.
Another significant addition to the farm will be its high tunnels. Three high tunnels have already been installed, and the current plan includes the addition of three more. With high tunnels, the farm will be able to grow crops and provide educational opportunities year-round!
The generosity of Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross will allow the farm to take its expansion even further. Thanks to Dr. Ross’s recent donation of $2 million, the Ross Student Farm will be able to build infrastructure that will make the site more efficient and capable of hosting events. Some additions that are being strongly considered include an outdoor classroom, wash-pack work area, intern/volunteer muster area, staging area, and restrooms. The farm also plans to use retrofitted shipping containers as a unique way to hold bulk storage (drip irrigation tape, row cover, etc.), dirty storage (tools, equipment, etc.), clean storage (office, lockers, kitchenette, etc.), and refrigerated produce storage (3 rooms).
The farm’s expansion plans are still in concept phase, and we would love to hear your thoughts and ideas about how they may be improved. If you have any thoughts about the current plans, potential projects, or future collaborations, please fill out our Google form! We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you on the farm soon!
A recording of the Farm Expansion Plan + Farm Hub Concept meeting will be posted soon!