About
The Student Farm, an informal endeavor for many years, was officially welcomed to Rutgers Gardens in 2016. With renewed vigor and guidance, 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. The Student Farm is supported through funding from the University, private donors, and by the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
In 2019 the Student Farm partnered with the Rutgers Student Food Pantry to provide fresh produce to food-insecure students. Throughout the growing season, fresh produce is distributed on a weekly basis to students in need of access to nutrient-dense food. Additionally, we operate a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share program, and we will be selling our produce at Cook’s Market during the harvest season.
The summer interns who contribute to the farm operation are part of a 15-week Student Farm 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.
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook @rutgersstudentfarm
