Introduction: Erin Langdale

Hello! My name is Erin Langdale, and I am an Agricultural and Extension Education major at Penn State, meaning that hopefully in the not-so-far-away future, I’ll be teaching agriculture in a high-school, and sharing my passion for agriculture with my students. After all, high-school agricultural education is how I came to know and love this incredible industry.

This photo was taken at Blyde River Canyon in South Africa!

When I was a kid, it was my DREAM to to travel. In my mind, I had always pictured myself flying to large European cities. Seeing the London Eye,  The Eiffel Tower, roaming around Rome, and so on. I grew up watching movies of these places and knew that one day I’d travel to them. When I think back on it, it almost shocks me how relatively small my world-view was, and how I’d only ever considered going to these more famous, cities. I guess that’s just how traveling changes your perspective.

About a year and a half ago, I was presented with the opportunity to travel to South Africa with the National FFA Organization as a part of  the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers. When the location was announced, it hit me that South Africa was not even in consideration for places I thought I might travel someday, but in a way, that made me more curious, and interested in going. I jumped in, and decided to go and it was honestly one of the greatest life experiences I have ever had.

Not going to lie, before I went, I knew next to nothing about South Africa, and in a way, it’s similar to how I know almost nothing about Belize. But just like the process of heading to South Africa, that fact that Belize is never really a place I had considered, draws more interest to me.

The reason why I want to travel to Belize is to feel as if I am learning something completely new, for the first time, all over again. When I traveled, I realized how little I actually knew, and I got to actually experience the differences in cultures, traditions, and norms of South Africa. When I got home, I craved that newness of information, and knew that maybe I wasn’t called to travel to the places I dreamed of as a kid, but it was the places I didn’t know about that I would grow more from. I am excited to see the growth that will happen on this trip. The growth of knowledge, history, culture, understanding, and so much more. I am excited to see Agricultural Education in a completely new way. And finally, I am excited to overuse every single Belize pun out there, because that’s just the person I am. I can’t wait for the adventure ahead! I can’t BELIZE it’s actually happening!

Introduction : Sarah Miller

Hello. My name is Sarah Miller and I am currently a super senior (fifth year) at Penn State. I will be graduating with an Agricultural Science degree that includes International Agriculture and Sustainability Leadership as my minors. I began my journey five years ago thinking about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, and I have grown many interests since that initial day at PSU Berks campus.

Through coming to college I have grown into many new hobbies and interests, like horses. I joined the PSU Berks Western Equestrian Club before coming to the PSU Western Equestrian Team here at University Park. The picture to the right is Gunner, my horse, and myself a couple summers back, when I first bought him. He was bought from an auction and has not specification of breed or age, but is apart of the many things that Penn State has opened doors to.

Traveling has also become a passion of mine through Penn State. In just the last couple of years, I have traveled to New Zealand and Ecuador for different volunteer opportunities that I have found through the University. At the beginning of these experiences I did not think about the learning aspect of the trip, but have learned a lot while being immersed in a different culture. I think Belize will be a great immersive learning experience, just like my past trips.

In Ecuador I learned how intricate a language barrier can be on a personal level, but I also see this as part of the experience in non-English speaking countries. If everything was simply explained, the hands-on understanding would not be perceived the same way.

What I think I most look forward to about the trip is being able to interact with the different people throughout the week. I have met many people during my travels that have become amazing parts to my life, whether they know it or not. Learning but also memories are what is to come.

Introduction: Kurt Miller

I'm Kurt! Animal Science major with minors in Poultry & Avian Sciences and International Agriculture. My picture is one of my favorite pictures from my Philadelphia Zoo internship. I serve at Gigi's Southern Table on the weekends and recently was hired in a research lab on campus. I'm hoping to study methods of improving food security in graduate school. After this study, I want to continue researching methods of improving food security at a land grant university as a professor. Ideally, this would be through poultry models as a way to improve protein nutrition in children.

Well, first and foremost, my interest in this course is to travel. I've only been out of the country once - to Haiti - but I loved the experience. The time I spent in Haiti was with a missions trip for my church's youth group. Before the trip, we raised funds to help rebuild a school that was demolished the the earthquake the previous year. Until a few months ago, actually, I wanted to go to grad school in Spain. I also thoroughly enjoy traveling in the USA as well. My recent travel experiences in the USA include California, Georgia, and an internship in Arkansas last summer.

Secondarily, I need this trip to satisfy the INTAG minor requirement to travel. That being said, this course's content works well with my career aspirations. I hope to work in international aid, increasing food security. Learning about education in a developing country will give me context of how to learn about educational strategies (formal and non-formal) in other countries if I see potential in using such avenues. I'm very excited to learn agricultural structure in Belize as well.

My friend in Animal Science traveled to Belize this previous summer with CELA Belize. Her experience was framed around veterinary medicine, as she will be applying to vet schools starting this summer. While she was in Belize and when she came back, she spoke so highly of the experience and the country. So when I saw that the College was offering an embedded course travelling to Belize, I jumped on the opportunity because of how much my friend enjoyed the experience.

One thing that I personally hope to gain from this course and experience is a better understanding of Central American agriculture. I have an idea in my head of how farming is done in developing countries (I do understand it differs between region and climate), but because I only have experience in one other country, my ideas can't be all that close to the truth. I hope to challenge my preconceived ideas with a truthful experience in-country.

Finally I have to say: After reading The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw (I'm almost done!) I'm so incredibly excited to visit the Belize Zoo.

Introduction: Gillian Warner

Hi! Welcome to my first blog post as I start my adventure to Belize! My name is Gillian

Warner, and I’m currently a freshman at Penn State in the College of Agricultural Sciences. I

decided I wanted to get an early start on a study abroad experience, and I am so excited to begin

with a trip to Belize over spring break.

My family has always been interested in travel, so having those new experiences and

seeing different cultures and traditions has always been important to me. Through family trips, I

have been to Canada, Mexico, France, Italy, Austria, and Germany.

While I was in Austria, I stayed in a family friend’s house with their family. They had a

few younger kids who were absolutely fascinated with us. We spoke differently than they did

and we probably looked and acted slightly differently as well. When I woke up in the morning,

their seven year-old daughter was propped up against the side of the couch I was staying on, her

face resting in the palm of her hands. When she realized I was looking back at her, she

immediately ducked down so all I could see were her eyes. She sat there blinking at me. A

simple “Hello” from me sent her rushing into the other room with her parents.

This natural curiosity and uncertainty is why I believe travel is so important. When in a

new place or presented with someone or something that seems different than you are used to,

sometimes we aren’t sure how to act. It can be uncomfortable if everything seems new to you,

but I believe that we must learn about, work to understand, and appreciate the differences that

make us unique in order to use all of our strengths to better our world. The more we can try to be

empathetic with one another, the more we will understand each other, our motives, and solutions

to issues facing the world that impacts all of us.

We need to find a way to connect and the best way to begin that is to step outside of your

comfort zone and say hello .

Travel definitely runs in my family. In addition to family trips, my dad travels a lot for

work in environmental conservation, my sister is studying abroad this summer in Amsterdam,

and my mom works here at Penn State as the Assistant Dean in the College of Ag for

International Programs. I feel so lucky to have grown up with the opportunity and support to

explore the world.

Once I heard about the trip to Belize, I knew this embedded course would be great for

me. Some of my other passions include riding horses, taking care of my dog, and working

around the farm.

A course that will teach me indigenous knowledge of agriculture will open my mind,

allow me to see other perspectives, and allow me to see, understand, and make connections about

life, culture, and agriculture in different areas around the world. I can’t wait to get to Belize and

experience everything with students who are also passionate about travel and agriculture! I hope

you’ll continue to read our blog and join us as we prepare for, experience, and reflect on this trip.

Introduction: Olivia Richart

Spring Break 2018: I Can’t Belize It!

 

Spring break is nothing short of the most exciting week for college students.

 

Some students choose to go home, sleep in, and treat themselves to some quality rest and relaxation that they deserve after a stressful start to a packed spring semester.

 

Some students choose to go on vacation to somewhere that’s sunny and 75, like a beautiful beach or exotic island resort.

 

But I get to do something just a little different. Not only do I get the opportunity to break up the monotony of my college classes for a week and travel to somewhere tropical and exotic, I will be able to combine my passion for agriculture and my interest in international development during a weeklong, once-in-a-lifetime experience in Belize!

 

My name is Olivia Richart, and I’m currently a sophomore attending Penn State. I’m majoring in agricultural sciences and minoring in international agriculture with hopes to work in international development someday, either as a civilian or during my service obligation with the Army. I am excited to say that Belize, which is a small country in Central America that has long been known for its barrier reefs, white sandy beaches, exotic tropical wildlife, and the Blue Hole scuba diving site, will be the second destination chronicled between the pages of my passport after an excursion to Norway in the summer of 2017.

 

Many people travel to Belize for the typical tourist sights, like the Belize Zoo, the lush cascading rainforest or delicious food options . Trust me, I love sightseeing and food-tasting as much as the next clueless-looking tourist girl, but what really puts me on the edge of my seat in excitement is the opportunity I have to visit numerous farms throughout this beautiful country and learn about a completely different production system and climate.

 

Soil, rainfall, water availability, climate; all of these are pivotal factors in a country’s ability to produce quality food for its people. After traveling to Norway, I was able cultivate a more contextual understanding of the critical role that the environment plays in a country’s food system and security. Norway has a staunchly different climate than Belize, with almost year-round permafrost, fairly infertile, rocky soil, and temperatures that rarely exceed 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, all of which were huge obstacles that their agricultural system was able to successfully adapt to. I can’t wait to experience the tropics and delve deeper into the impact that this exotic climate has on Belizean agriculture!

 

When I came to Penn State, I was shocked at how well traveled many of my friends were. Italy, France, England; you name it, my peers had been there. I felt behind the learning curve my first semester; no fun foods I’ve taste tested, awkward language barrier encounters, or tales of cultural differences from faraway lands. I was just a simple girl from rural America with blue collar parents and a travel log of four, maybe five states.

 

But now, as a sophomore in college, I can safely navigate an airport, (domestic or foreign!) hop on public transportation, (nervously) break though a language barrier, (sometimes very badly) and proudly say that I not only have 20 states and one country under my belt, but also that I have managed to incorporate my love of agriculture into every destination!

 

Belize is a popular destination for good reason: tropical climate, delectable food, exotic wildlife, and intriguing culture. While I am undoubtably excited for all of those and more, I am most excited for the opportunity to immerse myself in Belizean agriculture.

 

College has undoubtably been the most impactful experience in my life, and it is a privilege that I am thankful for every day of my life. Now, I will be able to combine newfound intercultural literacy and global citizenship with my passion for agriculture. I really can’t Belize it!

Introduction: Lex Trevelino - "The Path to Exploration"

Hello. My name is Lex Trevelino, and I am a freshman in the College of Agricultural  Sciences at Penn State University. My declared major is BioRenewable Systems, but I am keeping my options open to pursue Biological Engineering. I was born in Atlanta, Georgia and have lived in the South my entire life. I chose Penn State because of the nationally ranked agriculture and engineering programs. While I am not 100 percent sure what it is I want to do after college, I know that it likely will involve food and agriculture.

I have always had a particular interest in food. When I was in fourth grade, my family and I became vegetarians, largely in response to Penn State grad, Colin Campbell’s book, The China Study. After that transition, I began to pay more attention to my food. Where it comes from, how it’s prepared and what’s the nutritional value? Asking questions like these inspired me to join a culinary and garden club in elementary school. In this club, I established a baseline for food knowledge and curiosity. I was able to learn under two restaurant owners and a master gardener. Not only was I able to learn how to cook, but also how to grow the very ingredients we used.

A few years later I began to volunteer on an urban, organic farm. This is where I became interested in agriculture. While it was tough work plowing and weeding in the relentless Georgia heat, it was rewarding. I really enjoyed helping and contributing to the community. I was just as fascinated by being able to grow my food from a small seed as I was by the experimentation in the kitchen. Volunteering on this farm just fueled my inspiration to learn more.

In my junior year of high school, I was accepted into a program called the Isdell Center for Global Leadership. Each year four students are chosen to travel and study a Global Theme. My timing was perfect; the theme was food. We took three trips during the school year. First, we traveled to California’s Salinas Valley to learn about large-scale, industrial agriculture. We specifically looked at the history of the valley, the migrant-laborers, the supply chain, and the water crisis.

Our second trip was to Virginia and Maine. There we drew comparisons of small-scale, local farming to industrial giants on the other side of the country. One of the program’s highlights was the opportunity to meet and interact with Joel Salatin at Polyface farms. He showed us some of his pioneering, agricultural techniques.

However, our final trip was by the far the most impressive. We partnered with Care to go to Ghana and Malawi to learn about agriculture and gender equality. We were able to travel to remote villages and interact with the locals. They were so happy to interact with us and teach us some of their new practices. It was a once in a lifetime experience.

However, I didn’t want to stop there. This program acted as a catalyst for my desire to travel. Throughout my life, my family has believed that travel, especially off the grid, affords me opportunities to see and interact with other cultures. Traveling to Europe, Central America, South America, and Africa has given me a much broader perspective on the world. Travel has become like an addiction for me now. I am always searching for new places to go. This is what inspired me to apply for the Belize program. At this time, I am exploring sophomore spring abroad, but as a freshman, the embedded programs offer an amazing opportunity to get familiar with study abroad. With Belize, I feel like I’m going to experience the agriculture backdrop, more than just attending a few lectures in a Central America location. This trip is giving me the opportunity to combine my passion for food and my love for travel. I can not wait to get started.

Introduction - Britton Bracken

My name is Britton Bracken, some people call me Britt. I was born and raised on my family’s beef cattle farm, I am the 4^th generation farmer. I come from a very rural setting, there were 84 kids in my graduating class. On my farm we raise feeder cattle from about 400 pounds and then sell them to Cargill at about 1500 pounds. I absolutely love my cows, but I learned not to get too attached. I also have 3 miniature donkeys, 3 dogs, and an abundant amount of barn cats. I love animals, my dad says I can’t bring anything else home. My grandfather has been the one that has taught me the most about agriculture, in the summer I spend every day with him, learning and helping him with the crops. We raise, corn, soybeans and hay.

I love working on the farm, I have begun to live by this quote by Steve Jobs “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” I am also a member of the Indiana County Herb Study Group. I love learning new things about plants that can be eaten. It was my grandmother that got me involved in the club, because I love to garden, and use herbs in my cooking.

I am going to Penn State university and majoring in agricultural and extension education. I was involved in FFA all through high school. My agriculture advisor always pushed me to do better and bigger things while being involved in the organization. I got my keystone degree my senior year and then went on and got my American degree this past October. It was my FFA advisor that inspired me to become an agriculture educator myself. It was the way she pushed everyone to do their best, and she had such a passion to watch her students learn.

I am an active member of The Blacklick United Methodists Church mission team. A few years ago, the team traveled to Belize to complete some mission work. I was still in high school, so I couldn’t travel with them. When the team got back I saw pictures, of the beautiful and interesting country. I was totally bummed that I couldn’t have traveled along. Ever since I have wanted to travel to Belize and get to experience the country and the culture for myself.  My grandmother and grandfather have traveled the world, and they inspire me to learn and experience other cultures and other countries. As soon as I told my grandmother about this opportunity she has been encouraging me to take part in it.

I am so excited to learn more about the culture and the agriculture that Belize has to offer. This experience will really benefit me as an educator. I think I will really be able to push my students out of their comfort zone, if I take a leap myself. This experience will broaden my horizon of knowledge for world agriculture.