Hey all! I’m Ren, a Junior double majoring in Sustainable Food and Farming Systems and Horticulture. I’ve taken classes on the student farm before, but this summer was my first time here as an employee. It is no overstatement to say this is by far the best job I’ve ever had! It’s hard work, but I’m not sure I’ve ever had a bad day here – even when it’s picking peppers in a 100+ degree high tunnel (don’t worry folks, we take heat safety seriously). No small part of that is due to the amazing people I get to work with. Settling into a new environment is always stressful, but they make it easy. It’s also thanks to you – it’s such a gift to be there from the moment the seeds get planted to the moment I can hand you a bag of veggies, knowing all that work is directly impacting my community.
While I come from a long line of farmers (excepting my musician parents), I didn’t always know I wanted to go into agriculture. That moment came when I worked my first job hand-pollinating corn and realized that, even though I came home every day exhausted and covered in a horrible mixture of pollen and sunscreen, I was the happiest I’d ever been. At the farm I’ve had that experience magnified tenfold, and I truly believe I could work in this field for the rest of my life (pun intended). I’ve learned so much here so far, and I love that there’s always something new to learn and new challenges to overcome. No two days are ever quite the same.
Outside of the farm, I enjoy caring for my houseplants and foraging. I’m also hoping to study abroad in Austria for the Spring. I’ll be sad to leave the farm, but I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to experience another agricultural culture first-hand. I don’t know what the long-term future has in store for me, but I’m very happy with the path I’m on and ready to go wherever it takes me