IAA Internship Stories: Rebecca Bell

The above photo of Rebecca Bell driving a tractor at Heyser Farms won this year's IAA Internship Photo Contest.

October 2, 2017

Rebecca Bell, a hardworking and driven Sustainable Agriculture student at the Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA), spent her summer interning at Heyser Farms in Silver Spring, Md. Her days consisted of planting and harvesting vegetables and flowers, using the tractors and tillage implements, chasing chickens, propagating annuals, and arranging flower bouquets that she sold at the market. Bell completed some backbreaking and exhausting work that excited her about opening her own farm in the future.

Heyser Farms is a commercial farm and market that is open year-round and sells fresh fruit and vegetables, sweet cider, baked goods, flowers, mulch, local milk, eggs, bread, ice cream, honey, jams, and more. Located just off of New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring, Md., Heyser Farms offers a family-friendly setting to purchase farm-fresh foods and flowers.

Meredith Epstein, Bell’s advisor at the IAA, had many great things to say about Bell. “When I visited Rebecca, it was clear that she was applying classroom skills and taking initiative to be truly engaged in Heyser Farms' operation. In particular, her leadership on their cut flower enterprise was impressive,” said Epstein. After speaking with Bell, it became clear that putting together flower bouquets was her favorite part of the job. She enjoyed being able to use her creativity to put together works of art that put smiles on customers’ faces.  

Bell has always dreamed of owning her own farm in the future. Completing this internship has really prepared her for what to expect. “Working at Heyser Farms has helped me see all aspects related to a farming business. I now have a deeper understanding of the hard labor needed to run a farm,” said Bell. This experience has expanded Bell’s knowledge of customer service, crop rotation, planting and harvesting techniques, and business management. Interning for more than 320 hours at Heyser Farms last summer has given her plenty of time to gain knowledge toward her goal of owning a farm. It is safe to say that everyone who knows Bell is very excited for what her future in the farming business holds.