The Knoll Timeline
The farm began with the vision and enthusiasm of a few students and community members and has grown into a dynamic space for exploring the local and global food system.
2002
- Bennett Konesni ‘04.5 and Jean Hamilton ‘04.5 envision the Middlebury College Organic Garden and create the plan for it
2003
- First summer garden (1/8 acre) run by Bennet, Jean, Chris Howell ‘04.5, and Jay Leshinsky, the garden educator
- Garden shed is built, well and solar panel are installed
2004
- First garden internships (two part-time interns) and first Children’s Garden program (started by Sophie Esser Calvi ’04 Erin Jensen ‘04)
- First honey harvest
- First classes taught at the garden (environmental studies, geology, geography, biology, dance, teacher education, and English)
- Beginning of seed-saving project
2005
- Internship program expands to one full-time and two part-time students
- Garden expands to 1/2 acre
- Insectary project begins
2006
- Garden expands to one acre and internship program expands to four full-time students
- Eight garden members represent Middlebury College at the international Slow Food meetings in Italy
2007
- Windbreak and classroom construction begins
- Garden expands to 1.5 acres
- Seed-saving research done at garden
2008
- Construction of new walking and biking path to the garden
- Classroom building completed
2009
- Garden expands to 2 acres
- Pollinator research project begins at garden
- Student CSA (community supported agriculture) program begins with more than 50 students participating
2010
- Education becomes a focus of the garden, with students building gardens at the Aurora School and the Cornwall School and running school programs
- Students teach a winter term course called Food Justice in Vermont
- Students start an on-campus farmstand for faculty, staff, and students
- Advisor committee forms and first meeting occurs in November
- Organic certification process begins
- Hoophouse is built at garden site and used for seed starting and hot crops
2011
- Name officially changed to Middlebury College Organic Farm
- Students run a weekend summit for student farmers at NESCAC schools
- Students and faculty propose food studies minor
- Students design a barn and planning process begins
- Students work with the Bronx Academy of Letters in New York to start a rooftop garden and help get the project off the ground
- Jay Leshinsky retires as garden educator
2012
- Sophie Esser Calvi ‘04 is hired as the Food and Garden Educator
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama comes to bless bench and future Serenity garden
- EatReal student organization formed
- First FoodWorks internships create new opportunities for learning about the food system
2013
- Farm adds 12 egg-laying birds and 40 meat chickens through funding from an Environmental Council Grant
2014
- The Farm becomes part of Environmental Affairs
- Students build a pizza oven at the farm for community events
2016
- Students build an outdoor kitchen
2017
- 15 year celebration and naming of The Knoll
- Labyrinth is built in collaboration with the Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life
2018
- Megan Osterhout Brakeley ‘06 is hired as the Food and Garden Educator
View our archive of reports.