At the heart of humanity lies our innate desire to build community—leaning on one another for various forms of support. This summer, the members of this panel explored diverse approaches to fostering community, ranging from conceptual efforts— such as education and lowering barriers to entry, to the most physical—hands-on work connecting people with food and other essential needs. Our experiences were varied, from an ecovillage internship on a commune in rural Virginia, to working in the core of agricultural production, promoting accessibility in the equestrian world, and engaging in pest control education and sewing NICU patchwork blankets in New Zealand. Across the globe and across disciplines, we each contributed to and benefited from support networks, learning what it takes to create community and why it is so vital.

Moderator: Ali Ingellis, Dressage Coach & Riding Instructor, Equestrian Center

Recognizing Value: The Role of Small-Scale Agricultural Producers in the Food System
Lila McDougall ’25, Psychology major EOS minor

Life on a Commune: Radical Community Building in the Face of Hyper-Individualization
Indigo Kopp ’26, Philosophy & Spanish double major

Solid Strides: Expanding Access to the Equestrian Industry
Sonia Altenhoff ’25, Biochemistry & French double major

Community Engagement in New Zealand
Celine Falcon-Geist, Psychology & Education major/Latinx studies minor