2005 Annual Report for LNC03-229
Experiential Learning Opportunities for Graduate and Undergraduate Students
Summary
Student internships in sustainable agriculture provide educational opportunities for experimental learning that deepen students’ appreciation for the complexity of sustainability challenges and the need for broad-based solutions. Each student that completes an internship also contributes to the “What’s Up in Sustainable Agriculture” weekly seminar series which broadens the exposure to more students, faculty and staff as well as others for the variety of experiences and innovations that are going on within the realm of sustainable agriculture.
Objectives/Performance Targets
1. Twelve students will work with faculty advisors and community-based internship hosts on collaborative learning opportunities over three years.
2. Students will present their internship experiences in the weekly meetings of a campus-based learning community consisting of students, faculty and staff (average 30 participants/ week). The seminar series is known as, “What’s Up in Sustainable Agriculture."
3. The steering community will take part in developing evaluation and reflection tools for internships and WUSA seminars.
Accomplishments/Milestones
Deborah Garrido
$2500.00
Summer 2005
Wild Edibles
Dream for Wild Health / Cora’s Garden
Meagan Keefe
$2500.00
Summer 2005
Perennial Guild Design
Ecological Gardens
Rachael Dettmann
$2500.00
Summer 2005
Organic Crop Certification
Minnesota Crop Improvement Association
Ravi Raju
$2277.45
Summer 2005
Sales and Marketing Internship
Cornercopia Student Organic Farm / Minneapolis Campus Farmer’s Market
Ben Jordan
$2247.75
Summer 2005
Mushroom Cultivation
Bell Museum
Joel Bradley
$2484.89
Summer 2005
Cut Flower Production
Riverbend Farm
November 2, 2005
Meagan Keefe: Perennial Guild Design
November 9, 2005
Deborah Garrido: Wild Edibles: On the Dinner Table and in the Classroom
November 30, 2005
Ben Jordan: Cultivation of Oyster Mushroom Research
December 7, 2005
Cornercopia Student Organic Farm Season One Update
None in 2005.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
This grant has allowed students to receive compensation for their work with community based organizations and farms that would have been difficult for the host to provide. Students have also provided hosts with completion of work and projects that otherwise may not have been accomplished. Students have completed internships and graduated with the sustainable agriculture systems minor. Through presenting seminars students have exposed others within the university to innovations and projects in sustainable agriculture.