Paige organizing produce at the display she set up for the market .
After growing up just a few minutes away from her future workplace, Paige Moffitt was finally given the opportunity to not only visit but also intern at Norman’s Farm Market. She had driven by this location more times than she could count, and only now set foot on their premises! Moffitt is a second-year student at the University of Maryland’s Institute of Applied Agriculture. After receiving her certificate in Sustainable Agriculture, she strives to construct urban gardens and hopes to work closely with food security.
From early June to mid-August, Moffitt interned at Norman’s Farm Market, which is based in Howard County and operated in Chevy Chase. Norman’s Farm Market has been a family owned operation for 32 years, selling produce through a CSA program and additional farm stands. The operation was recently able to expand from 5 acres to 60 acres in Woodbine, Maryland.
Moffitt favored the tasks of harvesting crops and displaying them at the market. Additionally, she was granted creative freedom where she collected data analysis of other local farm markets. Furthermore, she found it particularly exciting when she was able to interact with customers and inform them that she harvested the produce herself. Moffitt’s academic advisor, Meredith Epstein points out, “Paige had a special opportunity to apply knowledge learned in school to help customers understand the quality of the products and growing practices used. She is now a produce superstar!” Considering that this job is very customer service based, Moffitt was able to strengthen her customer service skills and handle some curious requests very well.
Interning at the farm solidified Moffitt’s interest in working directly in the field. She gained skills in harvesting, working the register, and setting up and cleaning up displays. According to Moffitt, she “loved being able to apply her classroom knowledge of sustainable agriculture to the farming industry!” Through her internship, Moffitt was also able to grow in her leadership, organizational, and collaborative efforts.
Thank goodness Moffitt decided to explore the small roadside farm stand in her neighborhood. The experience, relationships, and skills she gained were rewarding and irreplaceable. They will definitely needed when Moffitt manages her own urban gardens!
