Nineteen students traveled to Tierra Miguel Farm in the Pauma Valley, CA to learn about sustainable agriculture, explore Jewish and secular perspectives on agricultural law and policy, consider ethical food production and consumption, and share cultural traditions from medicinal herbs to favorite recipes. Throughout the week, work included planting and harvesting strawberries, weeding areas to be used as educational gardens, trailblazing, packing Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes, and caring for trees around the farm. Students also volunteered at the garden at the San Diego Jewish Academy. Jewish exploration was prevalent throughout the trip and included student-designed Purim and Shabbat celebrations as well as discussions about the story of creation as a model for sustainability. A highlight of the trip was mealtime; students rotated and spent a day preparing meals using primarily local and organic foods.
Upon return, Melissa Goldman (C’12) commented “I want to start going to Shabbat services more, and start going to Farmer’s Markets and thinking more about where my food comes from.” The group has reconnected several times and they are considering options for relevant future initiatives back at Penn. Additionally, two students’ photographs were featured in a photo exhibit on campus entitled Snapshots of Service: Penn Students Give Back. This trip was a co-sponsored effort between the Jewish Renaissance Project, Hillel’s Schusterman International Center, and West Philadelphia's Jewish Farm School.
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