Farm Fried Rice

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Sustainable Agriculture students prepare a farm-to-table meal for the Lunar New Year.

Do you enjoy celebrating the New Year and regret that you get to do it only once a year? Then you’ll be glad to know that over a billion people halfway across the globe offer an alternative.

This year, on Tuesday, February 1, people around the world gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year. The festival celebrates the beginning of the new year on the traditional Chinese calendar; it is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. While there were millions of wonderful celebrations in all corners of the planet, one of the most memorable Lunar New Year celebrations for the year of the Tiger took place right here in the upper meadow of MSA’s 1,600-acre campus. 

MSA’s Sustainable Agriculture class prepared a traditional Chinese meal, Char Siu Pork (Chinese BBQ Pork) and egg-fried rice, using eggs, scallions, onions, tatsoi greens, garlic, and pork from the school’s farm. The class prepared the delicious meal under the canopy of the greenhouse, and many of the ingredients were harvested during class. Working together, students shared harvesting, washing, chopping, carving, and cooking duties. With the exception of the rice, every ingredient was raised and grown on MSA’s farm by students–a true farm-to-table meal. 

The celebration and meal were especially meaningful for MSA’s first Chinese Sustainable Agriculture student, freshman Hank Chen. A few weeks prior, Hank mentioned to his teacher, Mrs. Hufnagel, that the Chinese New Year was quickly approaching and how it would be nice to celebrate it in class. Mrs. Hufnagel quickly came up with the idea for a farm-to-table class meal.

Mrs. Hufnagel remarked: “It was a wonderful opportunity to bridge a cultural celebration with a practical hands-on experience, and, of course, to enjoy a delicious and nutrient-rich meal together.” 

What began as a dynamic interaction between a student and a teacher developed into an experience where what students study comes to life, and culminated in a meal that highlights MSA’s vibrant diversity and genuine fellowship. 

And that’s how MSA’s Sustainable Agricultural students got to celebrate the New Year twice in 2022.