SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE Experiential Learning Category Service Learning Summary The primary focus of this project

is to learn about sustainable agriculture through service activities. These service activities were at different farms and P-patches in and around Seattle. Service activities included physical work in fields and gardens; other activities included learning about agriculture-related information on tours and walks. Expectations of the organizations we visited included learning about those specific organizations as well as learning about the broader implications of agriculture on society and the environment. Explain how your project fits the provided Honors Program definition of the Experiential Learning area you selected: This experiential spring break was available through the Honors Program. As a student group, we focused on community-based service. We interacted with multiple organizations and people, ranging from farms and home-owners with sustainable food practices to food foragers. The intent of this was to see the various ways in which sustainable agriculture and food is created and maintained in all types of environments. As a group, we provided service to the organizations and at the same time learn about sustainable farming and food practices. Most of the issues the organizations addressed seemed to be common in other areas around the world, as well as locally. How and why did you select this engagement? I selected this program because it combined two issues that I am passionate about: food and the environment. I consider these among most important issues we will have to deal with in the future. I knew a little about sustainable agriculture and food practices, but I wanted to learn more through firsthand experiences. Skills and experiences gained from the project include various things. For example, I gained more experience in gardening/farming activities. Through this, I was able to relate to food production in a more personal way, which is a component related to sustainable eating. How does this project connect to your concurrent or past coursework? How does it speak to your broader education goals and experiences? Winter 2011, I took Fish 101, which was Water and Society. We learned about water issues that tied into agriculture and urban environments. At Oxbow Farm, I especially noticed correlations with my coursework (such as agricultural practices, riparian zones along the rivers, and salmon habitats). I am majoring in environmental studies, and I am interested in possibly doing the pathway of "Food and Environment." How will your project contribute to the larger goals of the organization or those of your partners? We helped the organizations by physically doing labor. I learned about issues I had not previously been aware of. Education is very important because it allows people to take action and to continue on educating others. I am also interested in looking into volunteering with one of the organizations in the summer or next year. Estimated hours per week: 35

Estimated project start: 03/21/2011 Estimated project start: 03/25/2011 Reflection My completion of the project has not significantly changed how I would answer these questions. However, I realize that the experience did have a larger impact in my life than I thought it would. For example, I find many of the broad information and personal experiences are still applicable to my life, four months after Spring Break. A month or so ago, my family switched CSA boxes, going from Full Circle Farm to Oxbow Farm. Full Circle seems to have a less sustainable practice than Oxbow, as many of the fruits and vegetables were from small, but non-local-such as Californian, and even Mexican-farms. Oxbow provides less variety and less in quantity, which is something I am willing to deal with, as I fully support the farm's mission. Even if it is not true, it is nice to think that I may have helped to grow the spinach that we receive. When I found out that Oxbow Farm is one of Grateful Bread's providers, I was pleased. I already liked the bakery, and knowing that it is sustainable and helps a local farm is even more of a reason to go often. I recently went to Sand Point Grill, and I noticed that the menu had greens from Oxbow Farm as well. Before Spring Break, I did not quite realize what it meant when produce was listed as being from a certain farm. To me, it was still a farm far away and impersonal, that-although local and sustainable-was still not one of my priorities. Now that I have a better idea of how small, local farms work, and how important I find their missions and goals. I am more aware of these farms and how much effort is involved to keep them the way they are. I still plan on continuing in Environmental Studies, however, perhaps as a minor rather than a major. Food and agriculture still interest me, and I have also been looking into water issues. Last quarter in Environment 100, I was able to tie together food and water issues by addressing unsustainable irrigation in agriculture in a paper and project. I wish I could work with any of the organizations we visited, or with similar ones. However, except for the UW Farm, I do not think it will be possible to do so during the school year. I enjoyed the Experiential Spring Break very much because of the new experiences I had. I liked the physical work, which is not present in an academic setting; I learned more about issues I had only a vague knowledge of; I liked meeting new people and being exposed to different situations; and of course, I had fun.

SUPERVISOR Brooke Kelley Coordinator UW bbkeelly@uw.edu