Noah Long, farm manager at the University of Florida’s (UF) Field and Fork Farm and Gardens, brings his passion for sustainable agriculture and commitment to the internship program to the forefront of his work. Long started working on the farm as an intern. He aims to nurture both the land and the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Meet Noah
Long earned his bachelor's degree in Horticultural Sciences at UF. Shortly after he graduated, he became the farm manager for the Field and Fork Farm Gardens. The farm is located in the heart of campus near the iconic bat houses and across from Lake Alice, and it’s a part of the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). The land is used for a combination of sustainable farming, research projects, classes, and more. Long oversees all farm operations, including planting, harvesting, and distribution. Long also leads the internship program. His respect for the agriculture industry is evident in his work.
“I think our goal here is not to create farmers, because every decade will need less farmers, because everything's even more efficient. But the goal is to make it so that people respect agriculture not as an industry, but as a form of work,” Long said.
The Internship Program
The Field and Fork internship program is a large part of Long’s role as the farm manager. The internship program is a semester-long experience where students of all majors can participate. Interns can specialize in compost, harvest, propagation, outreach, integrated pest management, international forest gardening, and gleaning. All interns work a hands-on farm shift to get the most out of the program. Students can enroll in credit hours for these internships.
Long oversees the interns through teaching, relationship building, and organizing. Long sees his role as an encourager. As a former intern himself, Long sees the importance of gaining experience on the farm. He sees how the program not only teaches students valuable skills, but it also helps them develop as people.
“This type of work is very good for creating a new perspective for people, because a lot of people don't even know what a farm environment is or looks like, because everything's so urbanized now. Being able to work here at this little, small, urban farm gives everyone a new perspective on things,” Long said.
“Through an externship, our interns who do want to become a farmer, will work with a farmer locally, or maybe even out of state, because farming, state by state, is so different. By going to work with another farm, and then also working with us side by side, we can share knowledge, share volunteers, and bridge the gaps that exist between farms everywhere,” Long said.
“I want more non-CALS people to know this exists, to get involved, to just see a farm,” Long said.
Long encourages and welcomes all questions relating to the farm and gardens. For more information about the Field and Fork Teaching Gardens or internship program, visit their website. Long will also answer any questions and can be reached via email at noahlong@ufl.edu.
About the Author
Maegan Beatty is a senior studying Agricultural Education and Communication with a specialization in Communications and Leadership Development. In the future, Maegan wants to pursue a career in communications management in the agricultural industry or leadership development for a youth organization.