NEWTON, NJ – October 23, 2023 – The Sussex County Community College (SCCC) Student Farm invites community members to visit the Farm for Fall Fridays. Farm activities include carving out our food forest, planting perennials, trees and shrubs, preparing areas, planting our plant amendment plants and planting garlic. These events will take place on the following Fridays: October 27th, November 3rd, November 10th and November 17th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. Participants will take a tour of the Permaculture Farm in progress from 11 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The SCCC Student Farm is located at 290 State Route 206 South, Newton.
The Student Farm, a 5-acre plot in Newton, leased through the Foodshed Alliance, is a part of the College’s SAgE project (Sustainable Agriculture Enterprise). The project aims to provide students interested in the farming industry with hands-on experience. The farm is used as an outdoor classroom.
During the year, the farm harvests various vegetables such as onions, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, peppers, carrots and pumpkins along with flowers. The produce makes its way to the Foodshed Alliance for distribution. The college’s culinary arts program also benefits from the Student Farm by preparing the available crops. These meals are used for events and in the new Arbor Restaurant, a learning and dining facility at the McGuire Technical Education Center in Newton.
Interested participants should bring gardening gloves, a water bottle and snacks. Additional activities are available with other farmers on the SAgE site.
Contact Erin Shroll, SCCC agricultural business and horticultural science program supervisor, at eshroll@sussex.edu or call 973-300-2340 with any questions or meet her at the Student Farm for fall Fridays.
