In NCLC 102 students are given several chances to gain experiential learning outside the classroom. One of the many opportunities includes attending a farm field trip. Students are given the choice to attend either Cows-N-Corn Dairy Farm or Mount Vernon Grassfed Farm. The two farms provide Cornerstones student's with an idea of what it is like to operate and sustain a farm in the 21st century. Students are also able to gain a new perspective on farming such as applying course readings and concepts to what they learn and see at the farms. The day after the farm trips, students are put into groups to debrief their learning experiences and work together to analyze and figure out what some of the similarities and differences are between the two farms. They are also assigned a table with questions to help them analyze the farm history, farm labor practices, animal welfare, outcomes of farm produce, impact of government and economy in relation to their learning thus far and the course objectives. This experience is definitely an enriching and educational one, because it allows students to learn not only from each other, but also to apply critical course concepts such as the effects of globalization on the world, a key element of the Cornerstones program.
As the Cornerstones Graduate Assistant, I was able to attend the Cows-N-Corn Farm trip alongside the students on October 30, 2012. Cows-N-Corn is a family owned and operated dairy farm in Midland, Virginia. The Leonard Family graciously accommodated our large group and showed us the farm as well as the livestock. When we first arrived we were warmly greeted and split into two groups to begin the tour. One of the things we did was sit in on a butter making demonstration. The Cornerstones students were then given the task to “shake up” their own butter. At first there were some doubtful looks from the group, but eventually everyone jumped right in and experienced how to produce homemade whipped butter. After enjoying a delicious snack of crackers and homemade butter we headed toward the hayride to get a full tour of the farm. On the hayride we saw a number of things such as: cornfields, baby cows, and the famous diary cows that reside on the farm. During the hayride Mrs. Leonard talked to us about the history of their farm as well as describing what it takes to operate their 1800-acre farm. To conclude our day at the farm we were treated to ice cream and had a debriefing session with the Leonard's. This session was vital to the students since it allowed them to sit down and ask their questions and get more detailed answers. Some of the topics the students engaged the Leonard's about was how the farm can face global impacts in relations to a drought or low crop yield. By asking these types of stimulating questions the students were able to critically think and analyze their field trip effectively.
Cows-N-Corn Diary Farm was a great educational experience. The owners were patient and engaging with the students, which allowed the students to fully partake in the experience both mentally and visually. There was plenty of opportunity to ask questions in order for the students to truly understand the intricacies of owning a farm in the 21st century. More importantly, the students had to fully think through what they had seen and heard and relate that back to course concepts. I can truly say that students walked away from this field trip with a new perspective and gain an enriching experience beyond the classroom that only Cornerstones can provide.
November 01, 2013
