Where Learning is Always in Season: A New Era for Dickinson's College Farm
An artist's rendering of the proposed renovations, transforming a century-old barn into a hub for year-round learning, research and connection at Dickinson's College Farm.
BarnLab will transform College Farm into year-round educational, social hub
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
What's old may become new again at the Dickinson College Farm, where a century-old building is poised to become one of the college's most dynamic new spaces. With support from the Dickinson community, the farm's historic upper barn is positioned to become the BarnLab—a hub for exploration, innovation, skill-building and connection.
The BarnLab is designed to extend the farm’s seasonal programs into year-round opportunities for students in any major and for the greater Dickinson community. Which means that, like the 87-acre classroom it calls home, it would host distinctively Dickinson experiences for generations to come.
"We're very excited to see the BarnLab come to life," says Director of the College Farm Jenn Halpin. "It's a symbol of Dickinson's commitment to hands-on, immersive learning, community, innovation and sustainability—and to creating experiences that help students build a sense of belonging that's tied to their sense of place."
The vision
Dickinson alumni have already provided seed money for the $2.4 million BarnLab renovation project. With continued support, the renovations would preserve the character of the farm’s historic barn while adding a new roof, full insulation, expansive windows and reinforced support beams.
An open, flexible floor plan, created with input from faculty, students and farm staff, would support collaborative learning and special events that increase student belonging, wellbeing and leadership opportunities. A climate-responsive design and electrical service would prepare the historic structure for sustainable, 21st-century use.
A glass entryway is designed to provide a view that stretches across fields and toward the Appalachian ridgeline, creating an inspiring sense of place for students conducting farm-based research. For example, science students' investigations into soil health, food-studies students' explorations of food systems and cultural-studies-class discussions about the Indigenous peoples who once lived in the region would be deepened by the students' visual and physical connections to the land.
Why now?
Dickinson has long intended to create a “living laboratory” at the farm that could be used throughout the year. An earlier proposal for a newly constructed lab was too costly and complex to realize fully. So the college pivoted, reawakening a building that was already standing at the center of the farm.
It’s an approach that’s adaptable, sustainable, innovative, financially responsible and community-centered—just like the college itself.
What’s next?
The architectural concept is complete. Dickinson alumni have set the project in motion, and local Amish barn builders renowned for their timeless craftsmanship are bidding on the work. What remains is the community that will carry this project the rest of the way.
With that support, the BarnLab will open its doors on a new era of learning, connection and creativity at the Dickinson College Farm--and to new crops of students, ready to learn, discover and connect in a place unlike any other. A place, like Dickinson, that's rooted in history and designed for the work ahead.
If you're interested in getting involved in this vision for the future of the Dickinson College Farm, contact Tara Renault P'25, assistant vice president for college advancement, at renaultt@dickinson.edu or 717-245-1390.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published July 30, 2026