Experiential Learning Opportunities for Graduate and Undergraduate Students

2007 Annual Report for LNC03-229

Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2003: $60,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2007
Region: North Central
State: Minnesota
Project Coordinator:
Dr. Helene Murray
University of Minnesota

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

Internships Funded

Grace Anderson $1950 Spring 2007
Production of Organic Lettuce Mix with Edible Flowers
Cornercopia Student Organic Farm & Other Farms

Amanda Janet $1950 Spring 2007
CSA Internship
Blue Roof Organics

Karen Weiss $1950 Spring 2007
Farm Sustainability Life Cycle Assessment
Little Foot Farm and Greenhouse

Charles Eckman $1950 Spring 2007

Evaluation of Strawberry Cultivars Under Organic Production
Hoch Orchard & Cornercopia Student Organic Farm

Joy Hilton $1950 Spring 2007
Cut Flower Production
Shining Hills Flower CSA & Cornercopia Student Organic Farm

Brandon Hawkins $1950 Spring 2007
European Experience with on-farm biodiesel from Canola
Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership

Chelsie Glaubitz $1950 Spring 2007
Peat Willcutt $1950 Spring 2007
Egg Production in Chicken Tractors
Cornercopia Student Organic Farm & St. Paul Hamiline Midway 4H Club

Seminars Given

April 25, 2007
Peter Hinck: Multifunctional Landscapes

Graduates with Sustainable Agriculture Systems Minor

Dina Kountoupes
Jennifer Blecha

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

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.