The Community Table of Albion and the Albion Community Gardens are well known Albion organizations supporting food security within the community by growing and/or distributing food. Another key partner supporting food access in the community is the Albion College Student Farm that bridges hands-on student experiences with tremendous food impacts.
In the spring of 2010, the Albion College Student Farm combined experiential learning with community engagement through a small plot of land off 29 ½ Mile Road. Retired professor Thom Wilch has been involved with the student farm for the past five years and emphasizes the importance of the experience not only for the students but for the community. Through this opportunity students learn to grow food and manage a large garden, while investigating the local and global food systems and the intertangled social and environmental justice issues, all while having opportunities to meet, interact, and work with community members.
Being a student-led farm, the student experience is at the forefront. From Environmental Studies, Earth Science, Geology, and even Anthropology and Philosophy Majors, students gain invaluable experiences that impact their relationship with the community and with their education. Senior Earth Science student, Riley Adams, was looking for an internship related to her major, so the ability to work hands-on with various plants to directly learn how they grow best and not just read about it, is an opportunity unique to the Student Farm. Incoming sophomore, Jack Wylie, shared that working at the Student Farm allows him to experience the full crop cycle from seed germination to harvest seasons, impacting his future interests in becoming a farmer.
Although each student experience with the farm is unique, there is an overwhelming sense of pride from the students to be able to provide for the Albion community. Wilch shared that “for the past four years we have grown and donated 1,000-3,000 pounds of produce each year.” Geology and Philosophy Major, Leo Steadfast has experience with food insecurity, so he appreciates that the Student Farm combines the ability to provide for others with experience in field work.
The Student Farm grows an array produce from vegetables like squash and cucumbers to fruits like raspberries. A few of the students shared some of the most popular crops from the farm plus their favorite crops to grow. Jack Wylie highlighted the kale, collards, and peppers, while Ashanti KcKnight loves the pumpkins, and Chloe Krappitz enjoys the watermelons! An all around popular farm product are the tomatoes.
Where does the community see this produce? – at the partnering food systems. Albion College Student Farm produce is distributed at the Community Table of Albion and often available the Community Garden of Albion produce stand on Jefferson Street.
Students are you looking to get involved with the Albion College Student Farm? Throughout the fall, the Student Farm has harvest days typically on Mondays, plus a few large clean-up days at the end of growing season to prepare for planting in the spring. Watch for the dates or contact Dr. Wilch directly for more information.
