Unlike other GATHER dinners hosted by the Dickinson College Farm, which showcase the skills of a particular chef in a smaller setting, the upcoming 15th Annual Local Food Dinner is “a unique occasion for 200 people to come together in the celebration of food,” according to Lizzie Grabowski ’17, campus education and outreach coordinator for the Dickinson College Farm.

The dinner is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 31, and will feature food from local farmers, The keynote presentation will be given by Danielle Vogel, a fourth-generation grocer.

Grabowski described the dinner “as a way to connect the Dickinson students with the greater agricultural community.” She added that students can expect the Social Hall to be “transformed with linens, centerpieces, and buffet tables into a delicious dinner experience,” where “[s]tudent farmers share art, personal essays, and research in a print publication called “The Dirt” and senior farmers are invited to speak in front of our guests.”

Vogel said that outreach events like the Local Food Dinner are “critical” because they “give folks an opportunity to learn and explore new ideas,” adding that “[t]he more aware you become of issues related to sustainability, the better poised you are to take impactful action”

Vogel began her career by working for the federal government after graduating law school. In her own words, she “worked as an environmental policy adviser on Capitol Hill,” working with both Democrats and Republicans to pass climate change legislation, “an effort which, ultimately, was unsuccessful.” This led her to start her business, Glen’s Garden Market, she said, “to make incremental climate change by selling Good Food from Close By.”

Vogel offers advice to students based on her own “seemingly haphazard” career path, saying [f]ind a thing you think is important and commit yourself to it. It may become your life’s work, or it may just be your first job… keep in mind that you’re going to spend a lot of time doing it, so choose something that you can feel proud of.”

Maizie Ober ’21, noted that as “a native to Cumberland County and a worker at a local orchard, I am very supportive and interested in local farming…[w]hen students learn more about local agriculture, they become more connected to the land, the people who grow their food, and the food itself.” Ober said that she plans to attend the dinner.

Anastasiia Khlopina ‘18 also plans to attend the dinner explaining that she is especially excited to have a female entrepreneur as a keynote speaker. However, she did express concern about getting tickets for some of her friends.

I…wanted to invite some friends of the college with me, but they don’t use computers (they are older), so I’m not sure how to get the tickets for them. Paying $80 for three people is not something I can do at this very moment, so I’m waiting to sign up.”

Tickets cost $20 for students and $30 for other attendees. They will be on sale in the HUB Basement from March 19 though March 30 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.