Carleton Farm in the Classroom
Since student involvement is critical if there is to be a sustainable organic farm at Carleton it is fitting that the farm becomes a part of the Carleton classroom. The presence of an organic farm has the potential to provide students with important educational experience. Such a farm could used to complement current material taught in certain Geology and Biology classes, although opportunities are certainly not limited to those disciplines alone. A number of professors have expressed interest in including the organic the farm to enrich their classes. An organic farm on campus provides students with easy access to an environment that can enhance their education.
Service Learning Opportunities
Another area for possible classroom involvement with the organic farm is service learning. Service learning provides the dual purpose of providing students with first-hand experience while also helping to maintain the farm. Certain ENTS classes could create farm-related projects that involve caring for the farm directly (in a manner similar to what student-workers may be required of) or even finding ways to improve the farm. Service learning increases student interaction with the farm and provides another way in which an organic farm and Carleton students could benefit each other.
Mark McKone teaching a plant taxonomy class in the arboretum |
