Blaire Dickens ’25 (philosophy and English majors) interned during the summer of 2023 at the Kate Chandler Campus and Community Farm. Dickens was mentored by Barry Muchnick, associate professor of environmental studies and the programming and organizing force behind the farm’s success and its new partnership with Farming 4 Hunger.

“One of my biggest successes at the farm has been, essentially, learning how to learn. As an English and philosophy major, my fields of study aren’t even adjacent to what I do at the farm, and I have no past experience with farming or even gardening,” Dickens said. Summer farm intern responsibilities included taking care of chickens, watering plants, weeding, planting crops, harvesting crops, donating eggs and produce, and anything else that needs doing around the farm.

This opportunity was available to Dickens as part of the Honors College Promise. St. Mary's College students are guaranteed the opportunity to pursue an internship, research experience or international study. That promise is supported by the College's LEAD Initiative (Learning through Experiential and Applied Discovery). "In my time at the farm, I’ve gone from knowing nothing about farming to being able to take a quick look at the farm, know what needs doing, and do it without needing help," Dickens said.