Ethan Levy

CPSG230

2 May 2022

Holtz, Merck

                                Practicum Reflection Essay

My first practicum site was DeHaven Creek Farm, an off-grid, renewable, sustainable farm focused on regenerative, organic farming in Westport, California. To arrive, I had to take a plane to LAX, then to SFO, and then take a bus to Santa Rosa and finally a bus to Westport, California where my site supervisor, Mike Bruno, drove me twenty minutes from the town to his farm.

The farm hopes to serve as a demonstration center to show how sustainable agriculture can be put into practice. I found this opportunity through the WWOOF program. The farm itself is beautiful, with redwood forests and a 5 minute walk to the coast. I would recommend emailing the farm owner first to make sure that you know what you are signing up for with room and board and food. You should also make it clear that you are there to learn about agricultural sustainability and the benefits of what you learn; this helps the supervisor gather materials to overall improve your experience.

 I learned about how compost, pollinator habitats, vegetative barriers, biomass planting, crop diversity, and more can all be used in agriculture to renew the quality of the land rather than harm it. I shadowed experts that taught me how one can farm sustainably by employing techniques that improve quality of soil health, biodiversity, and erosion prevention. These techniques were shown to me with an explanation of how different ecosystems interact with each other and with the farm. I learned just how important ecological farming and sustainability practices are, especially now with a population of 8 billion and exponentially increasing. I also actively worked on the farm to plant vetiver grass for vegetative barriers and different flowers for pollinator habitats.

The second practicum site that I visited was Buena Fruta Farms in the tropical Mayaguez, in Western Puerto Rico with my fellow SGC classmate. This was also an off-grid, renewable, sustainable farm focused on regenerative and organic farming. This farm has 74 types of rare fruits and nuts and vegetables. The biodiversity was absolutely incredible, with achachairu and cacao being the two main crops.

This practicum has definitely made me rethink my career plans. Being surrounded by the outdoors was a really refreshing and healing setting. Moreover, the work that you are doing actually has real, tangible positive impacts. I have observed that members working in this field have an affinity for the arts. Whether it be music, painting, or meditation, I have met a plethora of people who have astounded me with their plethora of artistic talent. Here lies a correlation that I cannot help but admire; people working out of passion, not greed or desire of leadership, and their freetime activity being one that is introspective and meaningful. These people inspire me to change my priorities in what I wish to get out of my life. Working in sustainability, while maybe lower pay, appears to be a career with no shortage of opportunities, healthy work environments, and inspiring a sense of purpose. However, as of now, I have made no decision to rethink my college plans. I am considering sustainability minor, but am no closer to committing than I am to changing my major. I think that it would be very beneficial and meaningful. However, I am confident in the fact that if I do decide that regenerative agriculture is the right path for me, I have no doubt that the switch will be swift. This experience made me rethink the connection between the humanities and science.

 I wholeheartedly recommend the WWOOF program. You gain cultural exchanges, work away hands-on experience, knowledge on solutions to immediate and grave problems directly affecting the area, and the skills to spread information and awareness of the problems in the agricultural industry. I also recommend DeHaven Creek Farm. Mike and Lotus were super nice and accommodating, and helped me to enjoy the experience during on and off work hours.