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

Diversification is Survival: Tips from Trevelino (Lex)

I have been fortunate enough to travel to some incredible places, but none compare to Belize. Whenever I travel I hate feeling like a tourist. I don't want to go to the typical tourists traps and do what everybody else does. I love to find things off the beaten path that only the locals know about, and I feel like we were able to do that on this trip. Now it was a school trip and we worked with CELA Belize so we weren't really tourists, but I really felt exposed to the local culture in a way I haven't on previous trips. Earlier in the semester we learned about indigenous knowledge and the roles that it can play. Being able to interact with the locals directly gave us the opportunity to learn more about their culture. The best example I can think of is when we were at the San Ignacio Market and a pair of locals explained the difference between the "local" chicken and the "normal" chicken (you can check out my previous post to learn the difference). I feel like this encounter was my "Aha" moment because I realized I was experiencing indigenous knowledge through informal education.

When I look back on trips like these the first thing I think of is not what we did, but who did we meet. What did we learn from these people and how do the varying perspectives compare? For example, when looking back at our second farm tour I remember Mr. Juan showing us around his property and explaining that everything there served a purpose. For example, a single tree can help serve as a fence post, can provide shade for the livestock, and can attract birds that sing for tourists on horseback. My biggest take away from that day was when he said "diversification is survival." There were so many different things growing on his farm that there was always something ready to harvest. This is vital for a farm trying to stay afloat when fighting competition from foreign imports.

I personally enjoyed the farms tours. We visited a lot of farms on this trip, but each one of
offered something different. Each one had it's own unique experience that made it memorable. My favorite was after we toured Polo's farm we were given fresh coconut water to quench our thirst from the heat. I love coconuts and being able to fill my water bottle with coconut water was a highlight for me. When I had previously traveled to Central America I was told that the yellow coconuts are no good. Only the green ones were safe to eat. However at Polo's farm they were cutting both green and yellow coconuts. I eagerly tried both and could not taste a difference. People in Costa Rica believe that yellow coconuts are inferior, but in Belize the only difference is the color. This was an enlightening moment for me because I was able to compare the different perspectives on coconuts. I realized that the indigenous knowledge for this area can be totally different compared to another area even though they are addressing the same subject. Despite having a preconceived notion on the yellow coconuts I learned something new by acknowledging the new perspective. I believe that is what this trip was about, putting aside our preconceptions in order to open up and learn something new without judgement.

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

Post-Trip Blog: Transformative Tropical Travel (Olivia)

My passion for agriculture was cultivated in the soil of my high school years. When I was a junior, I ran for the title of Miss Cecil County Farm Bureau, something utterly outside of my comfort zone as well as persona. However, this leap from comfort was a pivotal point in my agricultural career.

During my reign, I was not only exposed to, but immersed in extremely rare opportunities to advocate on behalf of the industry that I love. Through my county and state Farm Bureaus, I was able to meet Maryland Governor Larry Hogan several times, attend legislative sessions in both the state capitol and Washington, D.C., and even meet and talk to senators and their constituents. 

This program was the first time that I really saw the power of the agricultural community. Maryland's county Farm Bureaus, as well as the overarching state organization, were incredibly passionate for and invested in the future of agriculture in the state, and as someone who didn't grow up on a farm, it was the first time that I truly felt as if my voice mattered to the industry.

Now three, almost four years since I have held the title of Miss Cecil County Farm Bureau, I feel a revitalized sense of community and belonging within the industry I love, this time on an international scale.

Throughout my time in Belize, I was amazed at the pride in which the Belizean people took in the integrity of their Belizean agriculture. For example, the Belizeans almost always preferred to buy "local chicken" instead of "Mennonite chicken." To put that into an Americanized context, this essentially meant heritage breed chickens versus broiler chickens. However, almost all of the Belizean people preferred the chicken which was homegrown in their community, and took pride in the fact that they were able to support their friends and neighbors while reducing their environmental footprint. 

Another particularly intriguing aspect of my trip to Belize was our time spent at Spanish Lookout, one of the Mennonite communities in Belize. As someone who was raised around Anabaptist sects such as the Amish and Mennonite, I was interested to see the dynamic of this religion in a different context. During our time in the community, I was struck by the diversity that I saw working at the various Mennonite operations, which I found to be strikingly different than the United States. 

When I asked one of the Mennonite business owners if they typically only employ members of the Mennonite community, he elaborated on their diversity within the workplace. He said that they typically have an oversupply of workers, which is very different from America. I found it really interesting and refreshing to see the inclusion of every community in these typically conservative communities. 

The aspect of agriculture that I have always love the most is community. I love knowing that there is a group of people there to support me, care for me, and watch me grow who are just as passionate about the industry that I hold closest to my heart as I am. My time in Belize helped me realize that these communities, founded on the principle of agriculture, exist all over the globe, and to this day agriculture serves as the glue for every society in every corner of the world. I am so glad to have been able to experience these communities first hand, and it has added fuel to my fire of investment in the industry as a whole. 

Olivia is a sophomore majoring in Agricultural Science 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: 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.