Post Trip: Sustainability in Belize (Sarah)

In Belize, I have learned a lot about Mayan farmers and how their surroundings and culture impact their production. The type of production done in Belize is a sustainable goal to have a constant influx of food to feed their family. To me, sustainability is something that I learned about in a university setting. To be sustainable is to be constant in one form or another. Most Belizean farms are not an example of a sustainable business since most farms do not even sell their crops, but keep them to feed themselves and their families. The farms, however, are a sustainable source of food mainly due to the simple fact that the Belizean culture and environment have allowed for continued production.

To a farmer in Belize, the farm may be to one and only source of food, so it must be sustainable. These farmers did not learn their sustainability knowledge from a university, but their family and communities. At Polo's farm, Polo had over 30 crops all being grown at one time. This gives Polo and his family a way to harvest different crops at different times, and have a constant influx of food for the family.

The farming at Manuel's farm included what is called the three sisters farming practice, where corn, beans and squash are all grown together because of the benefits they all have for each other. These methods were passed down to him from his elders and have helped the crops bring in a good yield for Manuel.

Sarah Miller is an Agricultural Science major at Penn State

Post Trip Thoughts: Never Only One Way (Britton)

It has been roughly two weeks since we have arrived back home. While I was in Belize I have learned a lot not only about the country, but about myself as well. There were so many AMAZING experiences that happened in the short amount of time that we were in Belize.

During the reflection with Dr. McCubbins, He had laid out a bunch of post cards with different pictures on them. We were to pick a card that explained what he had done/ learned from the day. The post card that stood out the most to me was one with a road sign that said "one way". During the day I realized there is never just one way of doing something. 

The Most Important concept that I picked up from Belize, is the ides that there is never only one way to do things.

The first time I came into contact with this Idea was at Mr. Polo's farm. On his family's farm they raise over 26 products to be able to sell and make a living from. This is different than in the United States where there are a lot of monocrop farms that raise and sell one product. Mr. Polo and his family were really welcoming to us and were open when telling us about their farm and their products. They have so many products that sometimes not everything gets harvested on time. 

The second farm that we toured was Mr. Rudolpho's beef cattle farm (I talked about this in one of my previous blog posts). I had an ability to connect with Mr. Rudolpho because we are both beef cattle producers. He raises Brahma cattle, even though they are not the highest quality breed, they are the only breed that Guatemala will buy. This was new to me, being that even though back home (in the US) we raise a lot of angus cattle for their good quality meat. This is when I realized that something that is good in one place might not be good in a different place.  The same one item might not mean anything to people in one community, but in another community it means a lot more. 

I think that I was better able to take in my surroundings once I realized that there is never one way from doing something. 

Britton is an agricultural extension education major at Penn State 

I Belize in the Future of Agriculture: Post Travel Blog (Erin)

Agriculture wears a lot of different hats. It looks different across the world. It is based in culture, tradition, and the importance of providing for, and serving others. Traveling to Belize was a reminder of the impact agriculture has. A reminder of it's overall importance.

In the United States, agriculture is oftentimes an afterthought. For the most part, we are fortunate enough to be food secure, and for many people, the thought of where their food comes from stops at the grocery store. Most people are generations removed from the farm, therefore creating a disconnect between farmer and consumer.

Agriculture looks a lot different in Belize! 

In Belize, we saw the importance of agriculture from the start of our trip. We saw how agriculture spread its roots in Mayan culture, in Mennonite culture, and beyond. One of the things that stood out to me, was the Mayan people and their dedication to their land. People historically would walk up to two hours JUST to get to their farms, and everyday would continue to farm.

I think in travel it's easy to look at just the differences between here or there. But differences don't bring people together. As the trip continued, I realized that even though agriculture looked different, that we all had similar concerns that impacted our industry. In both the United States and Belize, the average age of farmers continues to get older. We talked with local farmers about the uncertainty of who will take over their farm, and what will be left behind. We also discussed how the general outlook towards agriculture prevents people from wanting to involve themselves in it. Oftentimes, agriculture is seen as unappealing, something that is a last resort. It makes things difficult in bridging the age gap between the younger, and older generations.

As a future teacher, I hope to always remember to focus less on the differences, and embrace the similarities between experiences, cultures, and people. I think if we're always thinking with an "us vs. them" mentality, we can't build a connection with students. I think that's why traveling is so important. In class leading up to our departure, Belize to me was in my mind as somewhere far away. The places we talked about weren't concrete or real. It was easy to talk about agriculture, or education in Belize from afar, because we weren't made aware of the intricacies that exist from up close. Essentially, we had very limited indigenous knowledge about Belize, and the people who lived there.

Traveling makes the indigenous knowledge known, and although we'll never be experts in it, we'll at least be made aware of it. That was the entire point of #TeachAgBelize. I mean, the official class name is "Indigenous Knowledge in Agricultural Education"so I guess that makes sense. It's funny how things really come full circle when you take the time to really process your experience.

I am thankful for this experience, and for the opportunities that I have as a Penn State student. This trip would not have been possible without Dr. Miller-Foster, Dr. Foster, Dr. Ewing, Dr. McCubbins, and CELA Belize (especially Lauren and Jorge who were with us from start to finish), and I'm thankful for all that they did to make this trip as amazing as it was. I'm also grateful for my classmates, Kurt, Olivia, Britton, Kryslynne, Lex, Sarah, and Gillian. I had so much fun traveling with you guys, and getting to know you more. You all have so many different areas of knowledge and passions that taught me so much over the course of the week.

If you are interested in seeing our final presentation about what we learned, you can come to Ferguson 214 on Monday, March 26th at 4pm!

Erin Langdale is a sophomore in the Agricultural and Extension Education major at Penn State. 

Return Thoughts: Looking Back to Look Forward (Gillian)

Our time in Belize flew by, and I find myself reflecting on a great trip packed with lessons and memories while I shiver from the freezing temperatures and snow in Pennsylvania. I already miss the experiences and sun in Belize but I am so lucky to have had this opportunity and look back on it as a good memory.

Listen, ask, and Experience (to learn!)

Our study abroad trip was way more than just a week-long trip though. I learned lessons and grew as a person, both of which I know will help me down the road, no matter where I go.

I learned how to talk with people. I knew how to before, but not with the same engagement and connection as I experienced in Belize. By finding similarities between us instead of dividing people due to differences, I grew closer to people I had just met and became more comfortable with the conversations once I realized we are all quite similar. I believe this understanding and comfort helped open the conversations to deeper explanations, more questions, and furthered our learning. I can use this lesson to connect with people when I travel, but also around my own town as well. By making connections and deepening conversations and relationships, I will be able to interact with people better, a skill that will be useful in personal or professional relationships, or in daily life.

I learned how to ask questions. Every evening we began to think about what was coming up for the next day and what we were curious about. Allowing myself to think ahead to come prepared allowed me to ask questions that reflected my interest, curiosity, and led to deeper conversations. The ability to ask questions will help me connect with people, explore new experiences, and will deepen my understanding of the things around me.

Not only were the farms producing, but they were absolutely beautiful too!

I learned about agriculture. As the main topic of this trip, this lesson was a bit more expected than the rest, but exciting nonetheless. Touring various types of farms throughout Belize helped me understand similarities and differences within Belizean agriculture and also between agriculture in Belize and the United States. I was quite impressed with the intense knowledge that each farmer has about their farm and their ability to use their lands in a variety of ways: by growing a large variety of crops, by planting trees in specific areas to not only provide fruit but a natural fence line and shade for animals as well, or harvesting for the now while planting and preparing for the future generations to farm.

I also furthered my conversations by asking questions throughout the tours, leading to great questions and answers to my questions. For example, at Mr. Juan’s farm, we started talking about his use of horses in the tourism side of his farm. When he asked what breeds of horses I have and learned that I have quarter horses, we immediately talked about the numerous benefits of the breed and how they are one of his favorites too! However, he did not share my enthusiasm for the thoroughbred which led to more of a pro/con discussion.

The people made this trip extra great!

I learned a lot about myself too and grew in necessary areas for the future. Going into this trip, I was pretty nervous about my ability to travel to the country and then manage everything once I got there. I’ve traveled around the country a lot and have gone out of the country a handful of times, but every trip out of the country has been with my family. This added responsibility posed a new challenge to me, one that I was able to handle! With the support from the professors and other students, the trip went very well. I gained confidence in my ability to travel and manage myself in another country. With this new confidence, I also gained independence as I became more comfortable and felt much better by stepping out of my comfort zone by the end of the trip. Personal growth will help me in my future adventures and travels but also in my school, work, hobbies, relationships… everything!


The lessons were numerous and this trip has definitely been filled with learning and fun. I’m excited to use my new knowledge to connect with people wherever I go while being confident in myself and my abilities. While I miss Belize, the people we met, and the experiences we had, I’m excited to apply these lessons now and in the future. I am so appreciative of this trip and to everyone who made it possible. I’m looking forward to what’s next!

Gillian Warner is a freshman majoring in an interdisciplinary major in the College of Agriculture Sciences at Penn State.

Day 9: My Personal Takeaways (Lex)

The past nine days in Belize have been some of the best of my life. It was educational, enlightening, and most importantly enjoyable. Being able to go beyond the classroom and learn through experience is beyond compare. I love to travel and I feel it is the best way to learn about the world around us. This trip has done nothing but reaffirm that.

I feel my biggest takeaways from this trip, other than the 1,000 bug-bites, would be my ability to interact with the locals. There are three specific moments that I look back on when thinking about how I grew. The first would be our visit to Mopan Tech. We had gone over our presentation the day before and I was really nervous. I hate public speaking and giving presentations. We started our day at the school with a tour before we gave our presentation. The Penn State students were thoughtful and asked questions throughout the tour, but when we were left alone to interact with the students I think we were a little shy or slow to reach out. Not speaking for everybody of course, but I felt this was especially prevalent for me. I didn't know if these kids were going to want to talk to me. It felt awkward for me to walk into their classroom and disturb them from doing their work. When we shifted gears to our presentation nothing felt different. I still didn't think these high schoolers were going to take me seriously seeing that I was the same age they were. I think our group was trying to engage with them but there were some awkward moments when it wasn't working. However, there were some very bright students there that made our jobs easier and participated enthusiastically. I enjoyed visiting Mopan Tech and seeing the things they were doing, but to be honest I was glad that the presentation was over. 

The next experience I look back on was our trip to the San Ignacio Market Wednesday morning. I will try to keep this part brief since this is what I wrote about in my previous blog post, but it is still an important piece in my personal development on this trip. We started in the market as one big group of 8 Penn State students. We all went to the same stand awkwardly asked some of the prices of the foods being sold. Then we split up more into our three groups and Britton, Erin, and I met Daniella. I began to ask her questions on the produce she was selling just like the first vendor. Then I asked her about the local Mayan cuisine. She seemed to light up and began to realize we weren't just tourists but curious students who wanted to learn. She was so happy to share a part of her culture with us. I began to feel much more comfortable and it became a more flowing conversation instead of me just asking about prices. This is the point in the trip I look back on to when I began to switch how I interacted with the locals. Instead of being shy and observing from a distance I wanted to show them that I was curious about their lives. After that, they were more than happy to talk to me.

The third experience I look back to for my development, and also the development of the group, would be the second presentation at the Tumul K'In Center for Learning. I feel that our presentation at the second school was much much better. We were more confident in ourselves and our ability to interact with the students. I felt that I took control with my group to try to get them to participate and enjoy the activity. Once again there were several bright students that made my job easier, but I still feel that overall we did a better job the second time around. In the short moments when our group would be waiting for the others to finish we were able to talk with them and ask questions about their lives and their school. They were so genuinely interested in what we had to say and were able to recognize our curiosity which made them want to share more. Even after the presentation was over, all the Penn State students stayed behind and talked with the students some more. 

With Tumul K'In being a much smaller school (24 students) compared to Mopan Tech (over 500) it was a lot easier to engage with their students on a more personal level. I also really enjoyed our second presentation with the students at Tumul K'In, whereas I was glad to get it over with at Mopan Tech. I was so happy to have a second chance to interact with the Belizean students and learn more about their ambitions. The question "What do you want to do with your life" always scares me and I never know how to respond. Whereas these kids knew exactly what they wanted to do and were eager to share it with us. I am so grateful for this opportunity to come to Belize and interact with such incredible people. Places can be great, but it the people there that make it special. And it's our job as international students to be able to take that extra step to reach out and engage with the people. After all, the best way to learn is by experiencing it first hand. 


Lex is a freshman majoring in BioRenewable Systems/Biological Engineering at Penn State.

Day 9: I can't Belize it is over (Sarah)

With having so much to do and to learn about in the last week some things were strong reoccurring themes. These themes were inclusion of different modes of education, along with education of both male and female youth. With the trip including a visit to a Mayan community, Mopan Technical High School and Tumul K'in Center of Learning, there was a strong connection with many different modes of learning.

At both high schools, the students learned basics that we also cover here in the United States, like math classes. In my high school career, I did not, however, have as much hands-on experience that these two Belizean schools do. At Mopan Technical- the students learned different skills through choosing their path of interest. There were different class paths that students could choose from instead of having set classes with a few elective classes like I did. The students in the agriculture program would take care of their livestock as part of their agriculture class as well as classroom work. The students in some other technical classes went through different stages in their four-year high school programs that allowed different things every year, such as mechanical drawing on paper and then computer work as part of their program. At Tumul K'in Center of Learning- the students had practicals in the morning where they would wake up early and learn different hands-on skills before becoming engaged in classroom work. These practicals include every student and have them physically participate in the traditions and methods of their Maya people. The Center of Learning showed the Penn State group a traditional dance and then taught us the dance through participation, something that some other schools in Belize do not teach to their students.

Another mode of education was how several of the farmers taught their children about their farms. One of the farmers named Manuel said that he planted mahogany trees, especially for his children to come back later and harvest, like the mahogany trees in his fields. This type of hands-on education from one generation to the next about farming also applied to the cooking that was being done in the Mayan community that we stayed in for a couple of days. At one of the houses, the smaller group that I was with met a family with a young child who was already learning to make tortilla by watching her mother and playing with some of the dough. By the time that little girl is starting school, she will also be learning a lot from the people that her community welcomes in, just like our Penn State group. Her older sister Stacey talked to our group and seemed very interested to learn about our culture as well as share her own with our group.

When speaking about inclusion, both schools, Mopan Technical High School and Tumul K'in Center of Learning, included both their male and female students in many, if not all, aspects of their classes. At Mopan Technical High School, the day that our Penn State group took the tour, it was the girls turn to clean out the chicken pens; the boys had cleaned out the pens the time before. The girls did not hesitate to get to work and participate in this part of their class. One of the girls that lead our tour around the school said that some of the girls do not always enjoy doing the hands-on part of the class, but the tasks were still done. At Tumul K'in Center of Learning, all students did the morning practicals that entailed many tasks that may have been seen as a male-specific or female-specific roles in the past such as machete field clearing or cooking. The day that our Penn State group went to the Center of Learning we asked what they did for their morning practicals and were told that they had been doing machete work. Then after all of their students took part in their practicals, one of the boys went to help the cook make breakfast.


Sarah Miller is senior majoring in Agricultural Science at Penn State, with minors in International Agriculture and Sustainability Leadership

Day 7: New Day in Tumul K'in (Britton)

As I arrived at the Tumul K'in Center of Learning I made the connection that during this trip we would be attending a traditional Mayan High School, and this was it. I think it was the second sentence that Mr. Pop said that Tomulkin meant a new day in the native Mayan Language. 

This is when it hit me like a bus, that it was not only a new day for myself but a new experience, unlike anything I have ever experienced before. When I first arrived at the school I realized that there were only four students in the first year (9th grade) and they were all girls! I was talking to two of the four girls in the first year and they were telling me that they have the job of caring for the garden. The school has its own garden, this was something that didn't totally surprise me, but the next part did. That was when Mr. Pop made the statement that the school grows its own produce to use in the kitchen of the school. The produce supplies the students with 3 meals for 10 days. The students live on the school grounds and are there for 10 days followed by going home with to their families for four days. This was the first part of my new day and brand new experience.

While touring the learning center I came across so many new experiences and new ideas that I would have never thought would be found in this Mayan school. The fourth-year students all have their own projects, this is relatable to back home having a senior project in high school. The students were really passionate about their projects due to being able to choose the type of agriculture that they are most passionate about. While on the tour I tried something new, something I knew wouldn't end well, but it was a living on the edge moment. I ate a HABANERO pepper, it made my face feel like it was on fire, and fire should have been coming out of my mouth.

Sure I should have known not to eat the habanero, BUT I knew that if I didn't try it then I never would. I never wanted to think back to my NEW DAY and wonder what the Habanero pepper tasted like. After the Habanero experience, I got to continue my new day with new experiences and actually got to take part in a dance class that the fourth year students presented to us. I never felt more reliant on another person before, without my partner Anthony I was lost. I feel like without this experience I would be lost. This was a new day for myself and I know that taking the jump into the new experience it will bring me more new adventures and NEW DAYS for my future students in my future classroom.

Britton is a sophomore majoring in Agriculture Extension Education major at Penn State.

Day 6: Manuel's Farm (Gillian)

Visiting Manuel's farm in Laguna on Thursday showed the values found within the Mayan community and served as a good reminder of values that I find important and hope to strive for in my life as well. Hard work, community, peace, and protection of the natural resources are just some key values that I was lucky enough to see in practice.

There's no doubt that Manuel works hard. His beautiful farm is covered with plants and crops that he cares for, manages, and harvests. Situated with terrain and heat and a number of different obstacles such as narrow paths, Manuel spends a lot of time working with his extensive knowledge to keep the farm running. Meanwhile, he also works to prepare for the future by planting for his children to take over once they come back to the farm after education.

A strong sense of community was also found throughout the day. Manuel and the family I had lunch with discussed the importance of helping one another. A perfect example is replacing the thatched roof every few years. If a few men come together, they can complete the whole process in half a day! It definitely shows that we're stronger as a team, something I've seen within our group this week as well. We have all become close and help each other out to make sure we're prepared for the experience... and have enough sunscreen!

Although it might not have been obvious, there was a sense of peace at the farm. I've heard many times that being outside is good for the mind and body, and Manuel's description of his connection to the land truly shows that belief. He feels that by eating what he produces and drinking the water from the creek he has remained healthy. Connecting to the natural world that way is incredibly powerful and cleansing. I know I've felt my worries drift away when I'm outside!

Finally, protecting that connection with nature requires the protection of natural resources. Hearing that conservation is a value within the community is really inspiring as it's something I care about deeply as well.

This farm visit was very special to me as it gave me the opportunity to learn about and see values of the Mayan community in practice. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I value similar things. Finding common ground and similarities despite some differences helps us to understand, appreciate, and further connections. I'm excited to apply this new information in future interactions!

Gillian Warner is a freshman majoring in an interdisciplinary major
in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State.

Day 3: Satisfaction is enjoyable! (Britton)

Today in Belize myself as well as the other members of the team traveled/ toured two different farms, they were both AMAZING.

BUT as a beef farmer, I was able to relate more to the second farm that we toured (beef cattle farm). I was able to talk one on one with Rudolpho, and to have a genuine conversation with him as we were touring. As we were hiking up the side of a hill in one of his many pasture fields, I asked him "do you enjoy farming" And he looked at me and said "yes" But he went on to explain that he would love to be able to sometime be a full-time farmer, but right now he financially can not. Rudolpho went on to tell me that he actually enjoys the cattle and being a producer, that these things give him satisfaction. 

He kept explaining how important it is to enjoy your career, especially farming. If you do not enjoy it your career, your products will suffer. It was so interesting to listen to him tell me about how important it is to find something that I enjoy and to pursue it. This made me realize how important it is to go to bed at night being satisfied with what you have accomplished during the day. Rudolpho made it so easy to realize that satisfaction is important and enjoyable for not only myself but for the others that are around me.

Rudolpho explained that some people here "Just keep hold of it" and I personally can relate to that from back home, I see farms that are so run down and or not being used, because the owners are just keeping it to keep the heritage, instead of letting someone else farm the land. Rudolpho made me realize that it is not only important in the USA to enjoy and to be satisfied in your career, but it is important to OTHER cultures as well.

I know in my heart that teaching agriculture is what will give me satisfaction. Taking part on my family farm gives me satisfaction,and sharing my love with other is the most satisfying thing to me. I also think it is really important to notice that every person finds their own satisfaction out of different things. I am looking forward to the rest of the trip, and being able to make more connections about myself and about my future.


Britton is a Sophomore in Agriculture and Extension Education at Penn State 

Day 2: Ag, People, and the Environment: Welcome to Belize (Gillian)

Welcome to Belize!

What a great view
to start the day!

I am so excited to be posting for the first time in Belize! The sun, blue sky, and warm weather has definitely been a welcome break from winter for me and I'm looking forward to more sunny adventures this week.

Today was a great day to recover from the long trip yesterday, explore San Ignacio, and start our in-country learning to set us up for success later this week. We had two discussions today, focusing on agriculture in Belize and the education system in Belize. Andrew Harrison, the Chief Ag Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture came to talk to us and left me with some great information to draw connections to what we are learning about in Belize, what I have learned about in classes, and what I hope to explore further in my career.

In the discussion, we looked at agricultural extension in rural development and considered the many key factors, including per capital income, poverty, land tenure, food security, level of technology, and organization. After taking Community, Environment, and Development classes last semester, I thought it was especially interesting when Mr. Harrison mentioned the meaning of true development: when all members of a society have equal access to essential and basic needs, education, recreation, food, health care, and more.

I think this is a very important idea to consider in agricultural extension in rural and developing areas. With the development of new technologies and education, those ideas need to be extended to people in different areas to offer the same opportunities and access. This can present a challenge in rural areas due to the lack of access to technology, a barrier we see in the United States as well.

Considering the relationship between ag extension and rural development and the definition of true development, I find the connection between people and the natural world and agriculture fascinating. Ag extension can help rural areas develop through new technology and education while rural areas help ag extension grow by challenging the process in order to find ways to give equal access to everyone.

We discussed another connection between the environment and people in climate change. Climate change is also pushing for new technologies to better prepare for farmers for even more extreme weather and disasters. While the farmers have been adapting and coping with the changes, the dry and wet seasons already present difficulties through long and intense droughts or rainfall that drowns crops. As climate change continues to present new challenges, efforts through the Ministry of Ag will continue to create climate change awareness and bring new technologies to Belize as other places around the world work to adjust as well.

Cooling off from the
afternoon heat together?

I love learning about connections between humans and the natural world. I believe human/environment and human/animal interactions are important, especially moving forward in development in a world that we're finding new ways to live in. I am thrilled that we were able to discuss some of these connections today and even see some in action as I passed by horses tied in yards, stray dogs sun bathing through the warm day, and a man and a horse swimming together in the Macal River.

I'm curious to continue to make connections between human/environment and human/animal interactions between Belize and the United States as well as the role of agricultural extension in rural development. Ag, people, and the environment all have a direct influence on each other and I am looking forward to exploring those connections even more to best benefit all systems involved.

Gillian Warner is a freshmen majoring in an interdisciplinary major in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Day 1: #TeachAgBelize and Hot Sauce Selections (John)

When I was reminded that I was on deck to provide a blog (thanks Dr. Foster) for our first day in Belize, I had mixed emotions. I knew that it was important for me to contribute to the blog, since we were asking our students to do the same throughout the week. Also, I was glad that I would be able to share that we made it to our destination without any trouble and that we even made our connection with our colleague from Tennessee Technical University at the airport right on time. However, I was also a bit worried about what else I could share that would be of interest to those that are following us for the week. That question was answered with our first meal in Belize!

Our restaurant, Hode's Place, was a short walk from our hotel and the food was great! I enjoyed my fresh squeezed orange juice, and even tried a bit of Sour Sop. The main options for the evening were burritos or quesadillas. With these two options (really any options), we all knew Dr. Foster would be having hot sauce with his dinner, but the question he had to ask himself was, "which one"? Well, as we all knew (again), he could not just sample one. I'll be honest... I wasn't sure which one to try. I watched a few others at the table give their feedback on hotness, and then I settled on trying two of the "medium" selections. They were perfect for me, and I think that dinner and the hot sauces may set the tone for the week.

You may be saying, really, Ewing "hot sauce" and an embedded trip to Belize. Where is this headed? Well, I see it this way... when we are not sure of something it is o.k. to see what others do, and how they handle the situation; especially when you know that they have more experience than you. Then it is time for you to take action with this new knowledge.

So, don't be afraid to try new things and learn from others... you may just be very glad you did when you take that first bite of your burrito (or experience your first embedded course with 8 amazing students and 2 great colleagues)!

John Ewing is an agricultural teacher educator at Penn State University. He can be reached via email at jce122@psu.edu