A new program offered by the Dickinson College Farm gives students a delectable way to tour the Keystone state.

This fall, the farm organized the first of its Edible Excursions, student-led field trips that give students the opportunity to see agricultural systems in Central Pennsylvania, according to Madison Beehler ’15, education and outreach coordinator for the farm.

“In Central PA, we are so lucky to have so many different agricultural spaces, from urban farms to large dairies to farmers markets,” explained Beehler on the idea behind the excursions.  “We wanted to provide a way for any student to explore these different spaces.”

The College Farm hopes that the Edible Excursion process is both informative and interesting for those who attend, and also offer a way to meet  people with similar interests, explore and learn about the area and even to make potential career connections.

Two Edible Excursions have already taken place. The first trip went to Bill Hill Ciderworks in Adams County, PA on Oct. 24 and the second was at Broad St. Market in Harrisburg on Nov. 7.

“We got a lot of really awesome feedback from all the people who went,” said Beehler about the first two trips.

The final Edible Excursion of the fall semester will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14 and will go to a local dairy farm that is part of the Land O’Lakes cooperative. According to the Dickinson College website, this farm has been managed by a local family for generations, and all of the dairy products that this farm produces, such as milk, half and half and butter, are seen in local grocery stores.

Students who are interested in going on an Edible Excursion but have not yet been on one but cannot make the Nov. 14 date, or have already gone on one one excursion and would like to attend another, will have the opportunity in the spring, due to the success and interest displayed for the three fall trips.

“We will definitely be leading more Edible Excursions in the spring so people should keep their eyes peeled for those opportunities!” said Beehler.

To attend the Nov. 14 Edible Excursion, interested students must register prior to Nov. 14 here: http://eehoovers.bpt.me/.