Dana Kent

 Research Paper

English 130

Skill Area: General Education

Assignment Title: Spread the Garden: From My Land to Land

What I learned: I was a sophomore in college when I wrote this paper and I was very confused on what I wanted to major in.  By writing this paper I realized I was interested in learning about food systems and their intertwining connection with the community.  I learned a lot about Butte County and the abundance of agriculture that surrounds Chico. This project introduced me a group of student and mentors that have shaped my college career.

Reflection to assignment: This assignment me introduced me to Robyn DiFalco who has been such a influential mentor for me during college.  This project was the starting point of my college long project.  It introduced me to the Local Food Task Force where I spent interning for two and half years. I found hope and desire for change by joining the task force. I took the dream of the project and ran with it, to find that it was very difficult but something that I am truly passionate about.  I got professional experience and more than I could ask for by working with the group, however the group was never successful in sustaining the goal of getting 1/3 of all food on campus purchased locally. We were successful in implementing the local lunch at the Marketplace and eventually Sutter Hall which has been a large accomplishment.

Relevance to profession: this was the building blocks of my major and my interests in college. This paper allowed me to meet influential people who have a similar goal of connecting the earth’s health with human health.