Describe your summer experience. What is a typical day like?

I worked at Lancaster Farmland Trust (LFT), a nonprofit whose goal is to preserve farmland from development. A typical day varied. My main responsibility was to recruit volunteers and co-manage events for LFT’s farm-to-pantry program, in which volunteers harvest surplus crops from farms that would otherwise go to waste and donate them to local food pantries. That meant my day could be spent in the office recruiting people virtually, reaching out to food pantries, walking around Lancaster hanging up posters, or at farms organizing harvests. I also got to experience the jobs of other people in the organization, such as getting to attend monitoring visits to farms that have been preserved. I got to work with the wonderful Lisa Wolfe, Jen Nell and Lucy Deren of the Ware Institute for Civic Engagement. They oversaw my internship alongside Stephanie Denton, community engagement manager at LFT.

What inspired you to take on this particular experience?

Since I arrived in Lancaster to attend F&M, I have developed an appreciation for agriculture. When I saw this internship opportunity, I became very excited about being able to work for an organization that works tirelessly to protect farmland. Additionally, food insecurity is something I am passionate about after learning about food sovereignty in one of my classes. I felt this was a great opportunity to make a tangible difference in my community.

What skills have you been able to learn or practice through this experience?

A large part of my job was working with volunteers, both to recruit them and work with them at volunteer events. So, I got to practice connecting and speaking with a diverse group of people.

What have you found most interesting or surprising about this experience?

The most surprising thing about my experience was learning how passionate the people of Lancaster are about farmland in the county. During my time at LFT, I witnessed the power of community and the potential we have to make change when people come together.

What have you enjoyed most about staying in Lancaster this summer?

The food! Lancaster has so many great food spots that I don’t typically have time to explore during the school year, so I really enjoyed exploring this summer with my friends. 

Why did you choose F&M?

I chose F&M for both the welcoming energy throughout campus during my campus tour and the life-changing financial aid they offer. I’ve made lifelong friends here while also getting to pursue an amazing education that I otherwise would never have been able to afford.

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