Sharing their bounty and talent
Students turned the backyard of a campus theme house into an open-air market for the community to gather, create, share and connect.
More than 75 students attended the Farm & Friends market, which brought the residents of theme houses Farm House and Art Haus in collaboration as co-hosts. Attendees received fresh produce, enjoyed original works of art and participated in arts and crafts activities.
“The positive and joyful vibe that filled the Farm House backyard was our favorite part,” said Maezy Gleason ’28, Farm House president. “We witnessed so many people smiling, laughing and introducing themselves to others. It was beautiful to see, especially so early in the semester.”
The event reflected the role of student-run theme houses, bringing students together around shared interests while creating opportunities for the broader community to participate, said Zach Brown-Cross assistant director of residential housing and theme houses.
“Students create and cultivate these spaces to bring people together. It’s a safe place where they feel seen and appreciated,” Brown-Cross said. “Our theme houses often collaborate on programs, such as the recent Farmer’s Market program run by Farm House and Art Haus, which help to grow and strengthen our connections throughout the campus community.”
Members of Farm House plant and grow a variety of goods in the garden adjacent to the house. At the market, they shared carrots, grapes, green and jalapeño peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, arugula, basil, mint and sage, as well as flowers.
Farm House also led two craft activities using items picked from its garden. Students participated in a make-your-own bouquet table using marigolds and other flowers, and they decorated mini-jars with craftwork items and tissue paper before storing their gifted herbs inside.
Art Haus sold lino prints at the event, created by each of the six house members. The house also hosted a station for attendees to carve and print their own linoleum stamps. And three of its residents—Ella Duke ’28, Lili Epstein ’28 and Abbie Rock ’29—drew caricatures for attendees upon request.
“The Farmers Market helped to promote Art Haus’ mission: to bring art to students on campus,” said Duke, co-president of Art Haus. “I heard many students say they were excited to hang their new prints or caricatures on their doors or in their dorms. This is what we had hoped for, to get people excited about art and inspire them to create.”
The market was a rousing success, said Gleason, as the attendees emptied the tables of free produce before the event concluded. “Later that day, it was rewarding to see students posting on Instagram about the meals they had made using the produce we gave out,” she said.
Amber Calder ’30 and Ceci Ayotte ’30 both enjoyed attending the event and sharing their gifted goods with others.
“Each station had a smiling face to greet you and the activities were accommodating for all. I particularly enjoyed the portraits,” Calder said. “A friend of mine picked up a giant zucchini and wanted to share it. Together, we cooked zucchini, potatoes and white rice for everyone on our floor.”
Ayotte took advantage of the fresh produce and adored the crafts. “I loved the event!” said Ayotte. “My friends and I used the veggies for a Labor Day dinner, which was really nice. The caricatures were so fun, and I especially loved it when the event turned into a doodle trade.”
Event attendees were also welcomed to participate in Farm Club, which meets on Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m. Members help tend to the garden.
“Farm Club enables students who don’t live in Farm House to get their hands in the dirt and learn more about gardening,” said Gleason. “It is open to all, regardless of gardening experience or knowledge.”