As I approached the end of my internship, Week 9 was all about finishing projects, staying engaged in the field, and reflecting on the connections I'd made along the way. This week reminded me that the people and communities that support our effort, are just as important as the plants and research.
I began Monday with a telework day, which included a productive check-in with my mentor, Neith Little. We went over the last stages for the hydroponics factsheet I had been working on all summer and talked about my next job, which would be analyzing a grant submission. On Tuesday, I spent time in the office working on online tasks and planning for the upcoming week. I arranged several additional grower interviews for the Food Pathways Project, one of which will take place after my internship officially ends. Continuing the work over my program dates feels fulfilling since it demonstrates how the relationships and duties I've developed, will last beyond the summer.
Wednesday brought me back to CMREC Clarksville, where I collaborated with fellow intern Elizabeth Karides. We returned to the Biochar study plots and concentrated on weed control, utilizing both hand-pulling and mowers, with the assistance of farm personnel, who mowed the area for us. After that, Elizabeth and I helped Sheena measure various basil varieties, and transplant sunflowers and other vegetation. It was a physically intense and hands-on day, and I appreciated seeing how our contributions positively impacted Extension's research.
Thursday began with a quick telework session and a supply run to the UMD College Park campus. I brought five containers of goldfish food and one package of tilapia food to Dr. Izursa's aquaponics systems in the main lab and greenhouse. Later, I visited Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm, where I spoke with many of the farm's key producers and aquaponics system managers. I learnt about their future aquaponics plans, met producers who shared their cultural backgrounds, jumped on a trampoline, and even departed with some fresh peppers.
Friday was spent back at the office, where I practiced my final presentation for Neith, Tamara, and Shanna. Afterwards, I continued to work on my online projects and deliverables. The practice session helped me gain confidence, and enhance my presentation for the following week. Finally, on Saturday, I worked with Rachele Franceschi and Katherine Mendoza to conduct two farmer interviews in downtown Baltimore for the Food Pathways Project. Both interviews underlined a lesson I'd learned this summer, urban gardens are about much more than just food. They are centers of healing, connection, and communal strength, and hearing each grower's story was uplifting.
Week 9 showed how much I'd learned, developed, and contributed this summer. Even as my internship approaches to a close, the work I completed, and the connections I formed, demonstrates that the value of this experience would last far beyond the program's formal completion date.
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A close-up of a basil plant with a visiting bee
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| Enjoying a fun moment jumping on a trampoline with one of my mentor Neith Little’s kids during a visit at Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm. Photo Credit: Andrea Franchini |
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| Collecting soil samples during our first urban garden interview on Saturday |
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| Two curious chickens at the last interview participant’s garden |
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