New Faculty Profile: Nora Hefner, Director of Farm and Food Studies
It’s over the river and through the woods to the BBA-Hildene Farm each morning. For students attending Farm and Food Studies classes at the farm, the journey is well worth it; the rustic classroom has a lovely view of the farm and the hills, and in the morning the sun and fog create a mystical scene. The scenery isn't the only amazing thing here though. The new director, Nora Hefner, is also fantastic.
Hefner was born in Gill, Massachusetts, and from a young age she loved the outdoors. Her most prominent childhood memories include frog catching, learning to build, and animal tracking. She says, “I have a vivid memory of getting lots of bark dust in my eyes from crawling inside a hollow tree as a little kid."
Her adventurous spirit is contagious, and one of her favorite parts about working in Food and Farm Studies is the opportunity to inspire curiosity in others: "I love that I get to work with such curious and creative students and colleagues, and we have so much room to try new things and get outside."
Hefner even finds joy in stick season. "Often the conditions in nature that make me uncomfortable–cold, dark, soggy, etc.–are the ones that get me to think the hardest about how and why natural systems work the way they do."
As an undergraduate in college, she studied biology, environmental studies, and studio art, and Hefner says she had a hard time choosing. After discovering her love of teaching, she pursued a graduate degree in Education.
Hefner not only studies ecosystems, but also sees herself as part of one: "Every atom in my body, every decision I make, everything I consume is part of an ecosystem. Feeling connected to something as big and complex as the natural world is kind of heavy . . . It makes things complicated and personal, and sometimes it is really, really sad, but for me, it also brings a lot of meaning and joy, and I am grateful to feel connected to the land and the living things around me."
By being part of this ecosystem and understanding her impact on the world, Hefner takes active steps to think critically about the materials she uses. She puts her ideology into action by knitting. "It has taught me to respect and value the labor of making consumer goods, and it forces me to question how much stuff I really need." She acknowledges that handmade goods are often a luxury that people can't afford. "Developing skills to make things myself has helped me feel I have a little bit of independence."
Hefner is excited to build on the hands-on opportunities Farm and Food Studies provides. She explains, "Hands-on learning is a big part of how I hope to [help students] develop understanding. Hands-on learning and getting outside are great scientific tools as well as important opportunities to build that relationship with a place that you know, care about and interact with in meaningful ways".
About the author: Tobianna Aldrich '22 has taken several Farm and Food Studies courses and deeply appreciates the opportunity to connect with nature through learning. A Utah native, Aldrich enjoyed spending time outdoors with her family growing up and brought that love with her to Vermont. She hopes to work with nature as a wildlife biologist or an ecologist.
About the author: Tobianna Aldrich '22 has taken several Farm and Food Studies courses and deeply appreciates the opportunity to connect with nature through learning. A Utah native, Aldrich enjoyed spending time outdoors with her family growing up and brought that love with her to Vermont. She hopes to work with nature as a wildlife biologist or an ecologist.
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