STILLWATER, Okla. — Nestled quietly on the outskirts of Stillwater, Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Student Farm has blossomed into a community-driven initiative that is feeding local residents and providing hands-on learning opportunities for students. Since its inception in 2023, the farm has grown acres of produce, supplying essential fruits and vegetables to local food banks while offering students practical experience in agricultural production.
The farm, though easy to overlook while driving along Highway 51, is anything but inconspicuous when considering its growing influence on both the OSU campus and the surrounding community. According to Rebekah Harmon, a senior at OSU majoring in horticulture business, the farm is “definitely a hidden gem.” The farm has already made a significant impact on food insecurity, donating nearly 96,000 pounds of fresh produce to local organizations in its first two seasons.
The produce—ranging from lettuce, onions, and napa cabbage to cauliflower and broccoli—is grown by students working under the direction of Professor Justin Quetone Moss, a horticulture expert and farm director. Moss emphasizes the farm’s role as an educational tool, answering a critical question: “Can our students get involved, grow food, in a production-scale environment?”
Indeed, students like Shelby Mendoza, a graduate student working toward her Ph.D. in Crop Sciences, have found the farm to be an invaluable source of both academic and practical knowledge. “Everything from planting to driving a tractor,” Mendoza explains, detailing the comprehensive experience students gain through their involvement in the project.
The farm’s goal is not only to provide educational opportunities for students but also to support local food security efforts. Each season, the farm produces approximately 50,000 pounds of fresh produce, worth up to $250,000. The harvest is then donated to food pantries such as Pete’s Pantry, which serves OSU students in need, and Our Daily Bread, a community-based food bank that provides assistance to Payne County residents facing food insecurity.
Rachael Condley, executive director of Our Daily Bread, underscores the importance of the student farm’s contributions, noting that the produce is highly valued by their clients. “This is all stuff our guests get first choice of,” she said, highlighting the immediate and tangible impact the farm’s donations have on local residents.
Looking to the future, the farm plans to expand its reach. The goal is to grow to 15 acres by the end of this year, with hopes of eventually expanding to 30 acres. This expansion will require more volunteers to help with planting, harvesting, and other tasks necessary to scale production. Harmon, who volunteers about 15 hours a week at the farm, believes that with more help, the farm could make an even greater impact. “We would be able to do more production,” she said, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in meeting the farm’s goals.
For those unfamiliar with farming, the OSU Student Farm offers a welcoming environment. Staff members are patient and eager to teach, ensuring that even individuals without a green thumb can contribute meaningfully to the farm’s success. Whether for academic credit, pay, or simply a love of working the land, students find a sense of purpose and accomplishment at the farm, all while helping to address hunger in their community.
As the OSU Student Farm continues to grow, it remains a model of how education, community engagement, and sustainability can come together to create lasting change. Through its produce donations and educational opportunities, the farm is helping to cultivate not just crops, but a stronger, more connected community in Stillwater and beyond.
