Veda Sanhai

This week, I was able to spend time in the field as well as behind the scenes, and each day was unique, keeping things interesting. Whether I was helping planting Swiss chard, interviewing local growers, or working on my online projects, I felt deeply connected to both the work and the people involved. It reminded me of why I came to this internship in the first place. I came here to learn, contribute, and form relationships that make community based agriculture so effective.

I started the week in the office, getting organized for upcoming projects and making good progress on two of my ongoing projects: a hydroponics fact sheet, and the MAP project, which involves researching Indigenous and Native American communities in Maryland. These topics have deepened my appreciation for the diverse roots of food systems, and how cultural traditions influenced modern sustainable growing techniques.

On Tuesday, I met Dr. Qianwen Lu and fellow intern Elizabeth Karides at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center (CMREC) in Clarksville. We worked in the biochar trial field, transplanting Swiss chard. I helped by making planting holes, watering them, and planting the seedlings. It was rewarding to be a part of a study looking into how biochar can improve soil health, and how the Swiss chard could survive.

Wednesday was especially eye-opening. I went with Katherine Mendoza and Rachele Franceschi to three grower interviews in the community. We began by going to the first interview participant's home farm, and her two community garden plots, where I helped collect soil samples and took photos while the interview and garden mapping were being conducted. We also met the second and third interview participants at one of the same gardens. These urban farmers generously shared their stories and growing techniques, which combine cultural heritage, sustainability, and local resilience. What struck me the most was how deeply these growers are ingrained in their communities gardens, that not only provide food but also serve as sites of healing, identity, and community. Listening to their stories made me realize how important global and cultural understanding is in this work. Every grower brings unique traditions, perspectives, and lived experiences to the table. Appreciating and engaging with these differences allows us to be more effective, compassionate, and responsive in our work. Working alongside growers, asking thoughtful questions, and respecting their space and stories are all ways to foster trust and deep collaboration. In an increasingly interconnected world, these skills are more than just "nice to have". Those skills are required for working with integrity across all cultures.

On Thursday, I returned to CMREC to assist Dr. Lu and Elizabeth again, this time focusing on mushroom cultivation. I helped move sterilized mushroom bags, cleaned the growth tent and "Bubba Barrel," and helped prepare the bags for inoculation. It was fascinating to see the combination of science and care involved in mushroom production.

I finished the week with a productive telework day on Friday, making significant progress on my online projects and enjoying a great check-in call with my mentor, Neith Little. It was an excellent opportunity to reflect on everything I'd learned thus far, and how all of these pieces, such as fieldwork, community interviews, and research, are beginning to fit together. This week reminded me that agriculture is about people, culture, and shared experiences, not just plants and soil. I'm excited to continue growing in the coming weeks, both as an intern and as someone learning how to work meaningfully across communities.