By Madeleine Thompson

The Colleges purchase of a 10-acre farm within walking distance of campus will be finalized today, according to Chief Business Officer Mark Kohlman. Located on Zion Road, the farm will house students who will work and grow produce for Kenyons dining hall. The farm was formerly the property of AVI Director of Sustainability John Marsh, who declined to comment on the topic last week. It was kind of a mutual thing, Kohlman said. There were people [at Kenyon] interested in creating the program, and John had expressed an interest in wanting to sell his farm a while back, so those discussions kind of came together.

Two students are currently slated to live on the farm next year, though it can house four. The primary responsibilities of these students will be the daily care and upkeep of the property, as well as cultivating produce for use in Peirce. I really hope to add to the focus of sustainability and agriculture [that is part of] the Kenyon experience with this budding program, said Claire OConnell 13, one of the two students who will live on the farm.

Kohlman described the farm as a three-pronged collaboration between students, AVI and the as-yet-unidentified local farmer who will be operating the farm. The students living on the farm will operate much like any other program house. You dont get credit, and you have responsibilities to support the program that the house is providing, he said.

Anna Peery 14, who will also live on the farm, has high hopes for it. Its an exciting thing, Peery said. I farmed this past summer, and its a shame to come to school and not be able to do things that you love. So Im excited for a space to do that.

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