The Interview: Sam Gruneberg

I grew up in the wilds of Happy Valley. I spent my childhood in the woods, exploring, fishing, hunting.. . anything that would get me outside. Plants and animals have been some of my strongest passions in life. This interest led me to believe that I wanted to work for a zoo, farm, or become a veterinarian.

My high school agriculture teacher, Paul Heasley, helped me expand upon many of my agricultural interests. We had a small greenhouse that, as students, we were free to use, and we ran a small plant sale every spring for the Little Lions FFA chapter. I took his various agriculture classes in high school for all four years and would say those experiences in his class led me to Penn State.

My mother also inspired me with her gardening and horticultural interests by taking me to greenhouses across the region. The idea that you could have plants in these manufactured environments year-round was super interesting to me, even as a kid.

I earned a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science with a minor in Agronomy from Penn State. During this time, we had several classes in the greenhouses on campus. It got me wondering about a career in greenhouse work. I met Scott Diloreto, the manager of all the greenhouses on campus. I worked part-time for him while finishing my degree. After I graduated, I served as assistant manager for the main campus greenhouses.

I'm now managing Penn State's newest greenhouse facility, Mendel's Way. As a greenhouse manager, you are basically the shepherd of the facility and its users. It's our job to ensure the facilities are clean, organized, and usable for the researchers, staff, and students who need to utilize them. Keeping plants pest-free and maintaining the environmental conditions they require are some aspects of the job.

My goal is to create a welcoming environment for researchers. I have worked with many students and professors, supporting their research, setting up equipment, and providing whatever they needed in the greenhouses. Watching these individuals learn, grow, and succeed has been one of the aspects of the job I have come to really appreciate.

My years in agriculture and the outdoors have taught me that the world is changing. The reality is that growing seasons are becoming more difficult. Farmers, especially, are facing all kinds of new challenges in the landscape. I've witnessed numerous research projects addressing issues that many people are not aware of or may not even recognize as issues.

I believe it's essential to understand where our food and natural resources come from and to appreciate the growers, farmers, producers, and scientists who are working toward solutions every day. Too often, we become disconnected from this reality, which diminishes our gratitude for the vital role agriculture and science play in our lives.

The College of Agricultural Sciences is all about tackling the challenges agriculture will face in the future, which is why I see it as one of the most important colleges.