South Middlesex Times

When David LoBiondo arrived at Rutgers University, he did not anticipate starting his day by watering plants and feeding chickens outside his dormitory. As a resident of Helyar House, along with 39 other undergraduates, LoBiondo lived and worked on the G.H. Cook campus at Rutgers-New Brunswick.

LoBiondo, a biological sciences major with a minor in agriculture and food systems at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, initially applied to Helyar House during his first year. However, applications were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When they reopened for his sophomore year, he seized the opportunity.

Helyar House is a distinctive living-learning community where members assume greater responsibility for self-governance compared to traditional residence halls. Residents collaborate on daily chores such as cooking and cleaning. Those involved in the agricultural program also care for plants and animals. This cooperative environment fosters self-reliance, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and leadership qualities.

“We don't have any janitorial services or anything like that. So, nobody cleans the house for us. It's all the students,” said LoBiondo. “We set up cooking and cleaning crews during the week and we also buy our own groceries.”

During his sophomore year, LoBiondo apprenticed under Owen Donnelly, then agricultural manager of Helyar House. This experience deepened his understanding of plant and animal care at Helyar House. He subsequently ran for—and won—the position of agricultural manager after Donnelly graduated.

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“I taught the agriculture class here at Helyar,” said LoBiondo. “I developed the curriculum, graded assignments, and supervised students as they took care of our six chickens.” His duties included checking for eggs each morning, inspecting the coop for predator damage or other issues, ensuring compliance with IACUC standards, and monitoring plant health.

“We also have something called the value-added crew,” added LoBiondo. “They make blankets and wreaths around holidays; we do soap making in spring; we have our Helyar Fresh program focusing on using fresh ingredients.”

LoBiondo has chosen to pursue a master's degree in endocrinology and animal biosciences at Rutgers-New Brunswick.

“My aunt and uncle both went here... My brother went to Rutgers Law School in Camden,” shared LoBiondo. “Rutgers was my dream school... Being able to continue in the family tradition really made me feel more connected to my family.”

Initially pursuing pre-med inspired by his podiatrist uncle, LoBiondo's path shifted after joining the Society of Animal Science club.

“I just remember looking around there [at a national competition] really loving it,” he recalled. “It sparked my interest... that's where I decided that I wanted to get more into animal science.”

A native of Blairstown, N.J., LoBiondo attributes his passion partly to growing up near nature.

“I lived close to Delaware Water Gap... next to a dairy farm,” he said. “Agriculture is very near and dear to my heart... I always had an appreciation for farmers.”