It’s a Friday at 4 p.m. Birds are chirping and cows are mooing. The trees sway in the breeze as bees bumble about. Students toil away in dirt beds, working over a vast array of herbs, flowers, vegetables and more. It’s a typical afternoon on Spring Valley Student Farm (SVSF), located a short 15 minute drive from the University of Connecticut’s Storrs campus.
Founded in 2010 as a Residential Life Project, Spring Valley Student Farm has developed into a flourishing farm and residential group. One tour around the farm and it’s easy to see why everyone loves it as diverse fruits, vegetables and flowers grow in nearly every direction. Ground tomato season is finishing up, potatoes are being pulled, Borage flowers are blooming and so much more is happening.
The people at Spring Valley Student Farm are focused on educating the community and farmers on sustainable farming. Heavily involved on campus, SVSF works with UConn Dining Services, Residential Life, EcoHouse Learning Community, First Year Programs, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Office of Sustainability. Among other responsibilities, they also supply food to UConn’s dining halls. Currently led by farm manager Jessica Larkin and her dog Blue, the farm is a brilliant group of students working towards one main goal: a more sustainable campus and world.
For many students, the farm offers their first taste of agricultural life. Seventh-semester natural resource conservation major Olivia Ballaro was unfamiliar with farm life before visiting SVSF for Farm Fridays as a way to be closer with her friends. The summer leading up to her junior year, she decided to take part in the sustainable community and food systems internship and “ended up really enjoying sustainable agriculture, especially the education side.” This is what this farm is all about — community outreach.
While many aspects of living on the farm are smooth sailing, Ballaro notes the difficulties that come with being a pesticide-free farm. She says the insect and animal damage is sometimes overwhelming, but she wouldn’t change her attitude toward pesticides and that “I’m happy that I’m not more exposed to [pesticides] by working here.”
Seventh-semester environmental science major Safiya Crockett came to the farm with prior gardening knowledge but had little idea of what the farm had to offer. “It seemed really cool,” she remarked as her reasoning for applying, having only seen the farm’s posters around campus. Upon being accepted to live on the farm, she was “taken away by how pretty it was.” Crockett’s role at the farm includes working at the weekly farmer’s markets on campus and volunteer work for Farm Fridays.
Lastly, seventh-semester environmental engineering major Cullen McDermott demonstrates how being a part of the farm is manageable, even though it’s hard work. He’s the president of the Beekeeping Club, which houses its bees on farm property. The two organizations live in a mutualistic relationship: the bees pollinate the farm’s plants, while the plant’s nectar provides the bees with ample energy.
McDermott came to UConn with a plan to pursue life on Spring Valley Student Farm, starting with his time in the EcoHouse Learning Community. He balances farm shifts, leading tours, managing his bees and classwork effortlessly — all while fostering his love for the environment on the farm. All the farmers would agree with him when he says “bridging people with sustainable food systems and educating people on how to grow food” is incredibly rewarding and worth the time commitment.
Ballaro, Crockett and McDermott all highlight the importance of exposing people to sustainability, so what better way to do so than with group tours? Groups of 10 to 50 can reserve a time to come explore with student farmers and gain a better understanding of the inner workings. Farm Fridays are Spring Valley’s most popular community outreach and volunteer program. They run from the beginning of fall semester to the end of October and pick up again the Friday after spring break in March. Groups and individuals from all backgrounds and ages can visit the farm and help out with planting, harvesting, dredging, or wherever else their help may be needed. Due to their similar values, the Ecohouse Learning Community students are big contributors to the farm.
The farm is dedicated to making sustainability accessible, starting with the accessibility of their farm. The student farmers provide shuttles for EcoHouse and for any other students wanting to join in. Other clubs and organizations may also reserve a shuttle to access the farm, though recommended bike routes are supplied as well.
Every Thursday until around mid-October, you can find the farmers market outside Homer Babbidge Library on Fairfield Way. This is a chance to take a break between stressful classes to sift through handmade merchandise and seasonal produce, or even lighten up your room with freshly picked flowers.
Every community has its silly side and Spring Valley Student Farm is no exception. When asked about potential mascots for this group’s home, the answers ranged from educational to outright funny. Cullen, as president of Beekeeping Club, unsurprisingly voted that a sunflower and honeybee would “bee” the perfect representation of the farm. Crockett envisioned a Dahlia flower with lipstick saying “all are welcome.” Lastly, Ballaro wished the farm manager’s dog, Blue, could represent the farmers through the pooch’s friendly spirit.