Harvest House Living-Learning Community
Harvest House Living-Learning Community
The Harvest House Living-Learning Community (LLC) is an optional residential experience for first-year students where food serves as a common ground for building community.
Living at Harvest House is free and you can move in as early as Tuesday, August 19!
Questions? Email us at globalfoodinstitute
gwu [dot] edu.
In coordination with the Global Food Institute at GW, the Harvest House Living-Learning Community on GW’s Mount Vernon Campus is for first-year students who are passionate about food as a lens for living and learning.
Joining an LLC like Harvest House means you’ll already be living with people who are interested in the same things as you– from food to sustainability, to making a difference in the GW community and beyond! Being a Harvester means you're not just living on campus - you're growing, learning, and thriving with a community that's got your back.
You'll live together in spacious Somers Hall, take special classes, and get access to exclusive events and opportunities. From day one, you'll be surrounded by people who get you. You’ll have a built-in group of new friends– before classes even start.
View the Harvest House brochure (PDF)
Pillars
Community
Through community-centered living and learning, students will build a deep sense of belonging, foster inclusivity through inviting new perspectives, and encourage mutual support among students, faculty, and campus partners.
Collaboration
Students will develop innovative, interdisciplinary partnerships across diverse fields of study to address complex food-related issues and bring light to the role of food in many facets of our society.
Culture
Food is not just sustenance – it’s how students express their identity, serving as means to explore history, art and the human experience.
Sustainability
Students will learn and promote practices that ensure the long-term health and well-being of people and the planet such as regenerative agriculture, culture and humanity, and food waste mitigation.
Placement Process and Timing
Upon acceptance into GW, interested first-year students can request placement in the Harvest House Living-Learning Community on the Housing Application. The Housing Application will open in late April with a section for opt-in special programming. Select the Harvest House LLC in this section.
Questions about GW’s Living-Learning Communities should be sent to Anthony Pohorilak, anthony [dot] pohorilakgwu [dot] edu, Assistant Director for Academic Partnerships through Campus Living and Residential Education.
Education
As a Harvester, your journey begins with a first-semester University Writing course (UW 1020 level) or a Research seminar focused on themes like food, agriculture, and sustainability. In your second semester, you'll take Introduction to Food Studies, the foundational course for the Food Leadership Minor.
While joining Harvest House doesn't require you to pursue the Food Leadership minor, the program does give a headstart for those interested in doing so. As a member, you'll build meaningful connections with faculty from the Global Food Institute and Alliance for Sustainable Future, collaborate with GW Dining, and engage with food professionals across the DMV!
Action
In connection to GFI, Harvest House will provide its members opportunities to participate in cooking and gardening workshops, regularly scheduled discussions and seminars, and more. Students and faculty from diverse fields will come together to conduct interdisciplinary research to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Engagement
Harvest House students will be active members of the Washington, DC community, with opportunities ranging from community outreach events and learning opportunities like hosting farmers markets, maintaining a community garden, and volunteering with local food-focused organizations. Surrounded by peers who share their passion for food-related issues, students will gain a true sense of belonging at GW.
GFI and Harvest House will actively seek partnerships with organizations and individuals who bring new and diverse perspectives to the table. By amplifying overlooked voices and inviting new participants into critical conversations, the LLC ensures a rich and inclusive dialogue.
