The second Bike to the Farm Potluck this year took place on Friday, April 27. About 50 students and a few professors gathered in the parking lot outside of Kaufman Hall before embarking on a 6.5 mile journey to the Dickinson College Farm. The event, which is held every semester, is sponsored by the Biking Club and co-sponsored by the Outing Club, the Center for Sustainability Education and the College Farm. Traveling in fast, medium or slow groups, the students enjoyed the long, scenic journey. Mariah Murphy ’15 noted, “I’ve been to the farm by van before, but biking there added something special to the trip.”

When the attendees arrived and put their bikes and helmets aside, a live bluegrass band called Pesky J. Nixon greeted them with music. The group consisted of a fiddle player, a guitar player and an accordion player, and played a mix of original and covered bluegrass music. After a group picture in front of the barn, the students helped themselves to a potluck dinner. Many students who came on the trip chose to cook something for the event, but food was also provided. There were plenty of choices for all: pasta salad, chips and salsa and desserts such as cookies and apple tortes.

After eating, many students chose to engage in a short tour of the farm. The tour guide pointed out several new additions to the farm, including a hop trellis and an electric pump house. Several Dickinson courses have been offered on the farm, ranging from an engineering class to work on solar panels, to an art class which uses nature as its subject. Students were then led into the warmth of a greenhouse, where plants such as dill, tomatoes and basil were growing.

Students could explore the farm, say hello to some cows, or just sit in the Adirondack chairs. Unfortunately, no bonfire could be held as the recent weather has been too dry. Murphy commented again, noting, “It was exciting to see so many people. Plus there was good food, and good music which made for a great Friday.” Because the weather was so chilly, most students took the Dickinson van back at around 8:15, after loading their bikes onto a truck.