Academic Partnerships
Prior to presenting Penn State with the historic gift of the stewardship of Fullers Overlook, the Fullers established enduring relationships with Sue’s alma mater, the University of Oregon, as well as the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF).
At Oregon, the Fullers established the Fuller Center for Productive Landscapes, an interdisciplinary hub anchored by an annual summer field school experience at Fullers Overlook. Sue organized this study afar program to bring students to a non-urban setting in the Northeast to experience an evolving natural landscape.
Meanwhile, SUNY ESF faculty and students spearheaded the ecological assessment, or BioBlitz, used to generate information that supports the master planning process.
Penn State will work in partnership with these institutions to foster research and educational experiences that enrich the training of students and contribute to the knowledge of ecological stewardship practices that can be disseminated regionally.
Community Partnerships
With its transfer to Penn State, Fullers Overlook will continue its agricultural lease to Endless Roots Farm at Overlook. The farming operation serves the community through its community supported agriculture (CSA) program, which provides weekly bundles of fresh, nutrient-dense produce throughout the harvest season.
The farm emphasizes the principles of sustainability by enriching the soil, improving watersheds, and enhancing biodiversity. Its regenerative practices include reduced tillage, mulching, and cover cropping. These techniques bind greenhouse gases into the soil, creating a net positive impact on climate change.