“Grower Spotlight” gives customers and consumers of the Chesterhill Produce Auction (CPA) a chance to get to know the farmers that sell their products at the auction.
Art Trese has been involved with the Ohio University Student Farm for around twenty years. Art took on a managerial role of the farm a few years ago, and continues to fulfill the duties of this role into retirement. The Ohio Student Farm sits on roughly two acres of land on West State Street and features circle gardens, a high tunnel, and fields. The space is used for research in the OU Plant Biology Department and is staffed by OU students who take on internship or work study roles on the farm.
The Student Farm is in their second year of selling at the Chesterhill Produce Auction. They produce potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, celery, and beets, among other items at the auction.
Take a look below to learn more about each grower on the OU Student Farm!
Lilly
How long have you worked at the farm? I started volunteering in September of last year.
What is your favorite farm task? Harvesting cucumbers.
What is something you have learned from working on the farm? I have learned to be more appreciative of food and where our food comes from because of all the hard work we’ve put in this summer.
Kelsey
How long have you worked at the farm? Since the beginning of the summer.
What is your favorite farm task? I enjoy harvesting peppers.
What is something you have learned from working on the farm? I have learned a lot about myself and the goals I want to pursue professionally.
Nicole
How long have you worked at the farm? This is my first summer working on the farm.
What is your favorite farm task? Harvesting strawberries.
What is something you have learned from working on the farm? I have learned that there is a lot of work that goes into getting produce on the table. I have learned to appreciate where food comes from.
Tiffany
How long have you worked at the farm? I have been working here for a year.
What is your favorite farm task? Digging potatoes.
What is something you have learned from working on the farm? I learned about several agricultural practices. For example, you don’t have to hill potatoes as long as your soil is healthy!
Kat
How long have you worked at the farm? Four months.
What is your favorite farm task? Washing harvested vegetables.
What is something you have learned from working on the farm? I learned that homesteading is a possibility for me, and I know I can be a farmer my whole life.
It is clear that everyone who works at the Student Farm is passionate about growing fresh health produce, and we are so glad that they are part of the CPA community!
Elizabeth Vigue is a VISTA for Rural Action’s Sustainable Agriculture team. She currently attends Marietta College and studies Political Science and Economics.
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