beanfield6

Overlooking the central campus Oval, The Beanfield (2006-2008) is a work of ecological, educational and social encounter recalling the agricultural roots of The Ohio State University as a land-grant institution. Inspired, in part, by the 2 ½ Acres of beans cultivated at Walden Pond by Henry David Thoreau, this 500 square foot demonstration plot includes 49 sets of poles planted with 4 varieties of beans—Kentucky wonder brown, rattlesnake, white half-runner, and Blue Lake stringless. The beans were harvested and distributed free as food for thought and seed for the imagination. The Beanfield is a project for the Living Culture Initiative in Department of Art, in partnership with the Wexner Center for the Arts, and the Social Responsibility Initiative in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Related articles and writings
Mayr, Bill. “More than a Hill of Beans.” Columbus Dispatch (20 August 2006) .
Ohio State Alumni Magazine. “Circling the Oval: Field of Beans.” (November-December 2006) p. 16.
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. “Beanfield Sprouts on Ohio State Campus.” OARDC
Report (November-December 2006) Vol. 17, No.6, [p. 3]
Simonian, Karen and Martha Filipic. “Beanfield Public Art Project a Result of Unlikely Partnership.”
Country Life (Mid-September 2006) p. 52.
Smith, Molly Bean. “Agricultural Arts Appreciation.” Social Responsibility Initiative (SRI) in Food, Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, 2006-2007 Annual Report of Progress ((July 2007) pp. 5-6.