Testimonials
“I loved Harvest! I was at Riverbank Farm and it was so idyllic—we got to swim in a river while playing endless hours of word games and learning about the myths of sustainable agriculture from Farmer Dave. It was fun to get to know new friends from around the world through teamwork and collaboration, and in such a unique setting removed from the academic and city life of New Haven. Also, the food was so good—I wish every night was Harvest dinner!!”
— Luisa ’25
“Harvest was an incredible way to make the transition into my first year. I was able to get some amazing candid advice from our leaders while also making connections with my future classmates. It made a world of difference to have some familiar faces on the first couple of days of Camp Yale. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
— Anonymous
“I really loved how Harvest engaged us in both food production and food making. It felt very communal because we all learned how to use the stove and cook the meals. The whole trip was a lesson in getting everybody involved in a way that felt inclusive and supported. On Harvest, you also get to experience so much spontaneity. You open yourself to possibilities, to activities and relationships that didn’t seem possible before. I couldn’t have predicted the lovely hikes we took near Massaro and the running jokes that came out of them. It was also amazing to see how people changed and grew during the four days of Harvest. By the end of the trip, we were staying up late in the tent talking about how much we valued each other. There’s just so much magic in it.”
— Eli ’25
“Harvest was not at all what I expected, in the best of ways. I felt like I connected with the soil, actually helped out our farmers, and had an impact in food systems. I loved being able to explore my connection with food and the land alongside my fellow Harvesters. We played around with adding the farm’s seconds into our meals—we’d put the ugly kale that they couldn’t sell (but that was still excellent!) into a delicious sauce, adapting our meals and exploring cooking together. I was at Hungry Reaper Farm. During our days there, we got to make genuine progress that our farmers were excited about. All in all, Harvest was about the time spent making weird recipes, wading in the creek, sharing stories in the grass together. That’s what I’ll remember most.”
— Will ’26
“Harvest was such a great time. On my farm, we peeled a ton of garlic and got to sit in a circle and talk the whole time. We got to know each other so well during the days. I also loved eating around the campfire. Also, the relationships we built during Harvest didn’t end there—four of us from my Harvest trip are now in the same major, so we have a ton of classes together, and three of us work in plant labs now. It’s cool to have connected in such a unique way with people who I have a lot in common with.”
— Sophie ’25
“I went to the Hickories. I don’t know that I would’ve ever discovered the farm if not for Harvest. It was beautiful and so chill—we helped with floral arrangements and strung marigold garlands. The farmers were so nice and we got to know them and their kids. At the time we arrived, it was just after a hurricane, so we were actually able to help a lot with the clean up. I met people on my trip who I’m still close with. Whenever I see anyone from Harvest, we always scream hello at each other, no matter where we are. I’m so glad to have gone on Harvest!”
— Zelda ’25
“Harvest could not have been a more perfect way to start off my Yale experience. While I loved hanging out with the chickens and weeding the carrots at Massaro Farm, my most important Harvest experience was the time I spent with the other first years on my trip. In only a few short days, I became incredibly close with the ten people in my group, people who remain my dear friends almost four years later. There is really no setting quite like Harvest, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity.”
— Hilary ’24
