About
The Rutgers Gardens Student Farm (RGSF), an informal endeavor for many years, was officially welcomed to Rutgers Gardens in 2016. The farm now functions as an outdoor classroom for specialized, interdisciplinary coursework, providing unique learning opportunities, hands-on experiences, and research opportunities for students throughout the year. It also serves as a vibrant local food source and provides a foundation for community outreach and programming, as well as an entrepreneurial perspective. Our aspiration is to showcase an example of small-scale food production that is simultaneously ecologically sound, socially just, and economically viable—the three pillars of sustainability.
In 2019 the RGSF partnered with the Rutgers Student Food Pantry to provide fresh produce on a weekly basis to Rutgers students in need of access to nutrient-dense food. Additionally, we operate a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share program (see details below), selling our produce at the Rutgers Community Farmers Market at Rutgers Gardens during the harvest season. Our team manages an Urban Agriculture Program with community gardens and urban farm plots on both the Rutgers—New Brunswick campus and on Jones Avenue in New Brunswick.
The summer interns who contribute to the farm operation are part of the 15-week Student Farm track of the Rutgers Gardens Internship Program. These paid positions offer students the opportunity to learn about production, local food justice, community outreach, and more, by helping with all aspects of small-scale organic farming, from seeding to sale and everything in between. Visit the Rutgers Gardens Internship page to learn more.
In 2024, the Rutgers Gardens Student Farm became a partner of the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Partnership for Organic Transition, and is hosting a series of workshops and educational events through summer 2025 to support transitioning and existing organic producers. While the Student Farm has been growing diversified vegetables using all organic methods for years, the farm has not been certified as organic. That is about to change! Visit the Student Farm’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) page to learn what that process entails and follow the farm’s journey towards organic certification.
Community Supported Agriculture Program
The CSA model we use is one of free choice. You essentially have a debit account with the Rutgers Gardens Student Farm that allows you to shop and choose what you want at our stand at the Rutgers Community Farmers Market at Rutgers Gardens. Skip what you know you won’t use and take more of what you love. If you’re away on vacation or too busy to make it to the market one Friday, your account balance remains intact until you visit us again. Use $40 or $5 on any given market day—it’s up to you. We will update your balance weekly, so you can ask for your current balance any time. The only option for share collection is Fridays at the Rutgers Community Farmers Market at Rutgers Gardens beginning May 16, 2025. There is no CSA credit rollover from year to year. Remaining balances at the end of the year will be used to donate produce to the Rutgers Student Food Pantry in an effort to help provide fresh and healthy food options to food-insecure students.
There are four share sizes: $200, $350, $500, and $750. You will receive a member bonus for participating in the CSA.
- $200 (5% bonus- $210 starting balance)
- $350 (10% bonus- $385 starting balance)
- $500 (15% bonus- $575 starting balance)
- $750 (20% bonus- $900 starting balance)
Not all of the items listed below are available each week of the associated season. There are generally 10-20 items available to choose from each week. Weekly availability changes frequently and will be communicated through weekly newsletters along with updates from the fields.
Spring: kale, chard, kohlrabi, scallions, radishes, arugula, mixed greens, pea shoots, sunflower shoots, beets, bok choy, lettuce, snap peas, sweet salad turnips, herbs.
Summer: kale, chard, beets, cabbage, carrots, mixed greens, zucchini/summer squash, cucumbers, lettuce, green beans, onions, fennel, peppers, hot peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, potatoes, tomatillos, garlic, herbs.
Fall: kale, chard, lettuce, beets, cabbage, onions, garlic, potatoes, fennel, peppers, hot peppers, arugula, mixed greens, bok choy, tat soi, sweet salad turnips, rutabaga, sweet potatoes, radishes, green beans, carrots, spinach, ginger, snow peas, herbs.
Enroll in the 2025 Rutgers Gardens Student Farm CSA here!
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