Posts

Month of Action: Mid-Point Check-In

by

Month of Action: Mid-Point Check-In

As I stated in my Month of Action Plan, I want to explore different ways to urbanize agriculture and find out how to teach people the truths about what they eat. I found I was going to need to do a lot of research to explore my issue. I got a good start on my plan and began researching aquaponics systems along with several other ways agriculture is entering urban atmospheres. I have begun finding and planning visits to local community gardens in the Columbus area, I also built a small-scale aquaponics system for my dorm room. This will help me gain firsthand experience with the system and will serve as a prototype for a future large-scale project. I may make a few adjustments to my plan and not only do the first 5 ideas but several others as well. I have learned more than I expected about the agriculture systems themselves along with local laws and regulations. So far, my plan is being executed with success however a few challenges always seem to come up. It has been difficult getting the materials for my aquaponics prototype and took a lot of time to model/construct. I will continue to work through the problems and strive to achieve my goal.

Month of Action: Plan

by

 

Month of Action: Plan

To explore my issue, I am going to need to do a lot of research and planning. I want to explore different ways to urbanize agriculture and find out how teach people the truths about what they eat. People need to take control of what they eat and monitor where it comes from. I want to urbanize agriculture and help people become less reliant on processed food. I need to find methods of growing food that are reasonably priced, simple to do, and space efficient.  It will be difficult to change the world overnight, however each person can make a difference and I want to do my part. To help urbanize and educate people a about our worlds food crisis. To do this, I have come up with 10 actions an individual can take to make an impact with your issue.

1. Volunteer at a local community garden

2. Meet with garden managers to learn how they run their operation

3. Help the food crisis by donation heathy food to food pantries

4. Build aquaponics systems to grow food

5. Fundraise to build a gardens and aquaponics systems

6. Hold clinics to teach people basic gardening skills

7.  Donate plants to schools to excite children about gardening

8. Lobby for funding to establish more community gardens

9.  Refurbish old lots into gardens for communal use

10. Encourage others to shop at local food market

I will plan on doing the first 5 during the month of action. It will be challenging to research and build my own aquaponics system however I think it will be beneficial for me to learn different techniques and strategies. I hope to learn more about individual change and how to accomplish my goals with carful management and small steps. This will help me with future projects and goals I will have.

 

https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/why-america-needs-more-processed-food/

https://www.theaquaponicsource.com/what-is-aquaponics/

http://www.ruaf.org/urban-agriculture-what-and-why

Issue Exploration

by

I began to explore different ways to urbanize agriculture and find out how teach people the truths about what they eat. Our world is full of processed food and there are many root causes and major contributing factors I have associated with the issue. First, the global population is growing at a very rapid rate and a need for widespread access to food has never been in higher demand. To help this issue, we have turned to large-scale production of processed food and have turned away from natural and more nutritious options. Processed food has now become a part of our culture and it is difficult to stop the momentum. More contributing factors can be directed towards communal income. Processed foods are notoriously lower priced. Individuals and entire communities may not be able to afford healthier food or would just rather spend their money on drugs or other negative extracurricular activities. Lastly, I believe the other key factors contributing to the food crisis are intellectual knowledge and widespread accessibility. There are a lot of people who are not aware of their food and do not know where it comes from. Also, many places lack the infrastructure or recourses to provide heathier food options into an area so communities are forced to turn to other means of food.

            I think are the greatest challenges currently to addressing the root causes are widespread communication, organization, and local support. To get my message across, I will need to explain the problem and express specific and easy ways to help solve it. This will require a lot of critical thinking and thorough analysis. It will also require the startup of organizations and local support to help make physical changes that will encourage new habits. These could include building/promoting local gardens or other ways to urbanize agriculture.

            There are several policies that can impact my issue. Some townships and areas around communities prohibit livestock. Others have restrictions on buildings are gardens that can be planted or built. These can me very problematic and will need to be evaluated depending on location.

This issue also impacts the Ohio/Columbus/Ohio State Community. Here on campus, there are many healthy options for food however no college campus is perfect. There are many issues are poor neighborhoods around Columbus with limited access to healthy food alternatives the reflect similarly with the entire state There are however local organizations, that are addressing this issue. There are many community gardens around Columbus that help promote a heathy lifestyle. The ACGA (American Community Garden Association) plays a major role in these projects in Columbus along with areas around the country.

I found a Ted Talk that relates to my issue called “The Urban Agriculture Revolution” by David Gingera. I learned more about the history of agriculture and how it has adapted and evolved over time. There is some bias in this video just like any other Ted Talk. He addresses many person opinions and lacks firsthand experience with the farming community and all the good effects preservatives can have on our economy and environment.

You can watch the video here:      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH1fcCiaT20

 

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH1fcCiaT20

https://www.columbus.gov/landredevelopment/communitygardens/

https://development.franklincountyohio.gov/community-gardens

https://communitygarden.org/find-a-garden/gardens/mound-street-community-garden/

https://www.theonion.com/how-to-start-a-community-garden-1819594100

https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/why-america-needs-more-processed-food/

https://www.theaquaponicsource.com/what-is-aquaponics/

http://www.ruaf.org/urban-agriculture-what-and-why

 

 

Issue Selection

by

Everyone needs to eat. The nourishment from are daily meals helps us function and maintain life. Throughout history, our culture has made processed food easily accessible and cheap to buy. With the global population growing at a rapid rate, a need for heathy widespread access to food has never been in higher demand. This overwhelming issue has driven me to choose this topic over several others I was investigating such as the drug crisis, the endangered species act, and the renewable resources. To explore my issue, I am going to need to do a lot of research. I want to explore different ways to urbanize agriculture and find out how teach people the truths about what they eat. People need to take control of what they eat and monitor where it comes from. Also, growing your own food can teach people a new skillset, get them active, and outside. Communal gardens can promote jobs, wellness, and will overall better the atmosphere of the community. Teaching children gardening skills and getting them excited about growing food can lead them away from negative extracurricular activities along with fueling a change for future generations.

There are many factors that can demote urban agriculture. These processes can be very costly and require a specific skillset to develop. Also, the need for labor and support can affect the projects overall success in a community. With cities constantly expanding, open spaces are rare to find that would be suitable for growing adequate amounts of food. Taking this into consideration. I need to find methods of growing food that are reasonably priced, simple to do, and space efficient.  I want to urbanize agriculture and help people become less reliant on processed food.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/why-america-needs-more-processed-food/

https://www.theaquaponicsource.com/what-is-aquaponics/

http://www.ruaf.org/urban-agriculture-what-and-why

Columbus To Do List, Part 2

by

After completing going climbing at the Scioto Audubon for Columbus To Do List Part One, I decided to take a trip up to the Short North with Andrew, Alan, and Yongbo. It was a great day for an adventure and was a lot of fun. This was a great opportunity to explore Columbus along with building friendships with my suitemates. We went to many more places that were not on the list but the parks and cafes were still fun and enjoyable. My favorite memory is still from lead climbing at the Audubon for Columbus To Do List Part One. Climbing is an activity I love doing and the hours spent on an outdoor wall and my first-time lead climbing will be remembered forever. The Columbus To Do List project also helped me learn more about Columbus. Life living on campus can be overwhelming enough with so many things to do and so much to explore on campus. Venturing out into Columbus, I know there are so many other things I can do. The Short North is only one of the many areas with cafes, shops, and fancy restaurants. I know fell confident about leaving campus and finding activities with my interests. Also, the Coda Bus system makes access to off campus places easy and convenient. It can be a little confusing but with this practice, I feel more comfortable and trusting of the bus system.

The first place we went was Goodale Park. This park was very nice and relaxing. There was a peaceful pond with a nice gazebo on the one side. There were many people running and walking their dogs. This would be a great place to study and get away from campus. I would recommend going there.

The next place we went was One Line Coffee. This was a nice little coffee shop that fulfilled all my morning coffee needs. It was very busy but worth the wait. I would recommend others to check this place out. I wish it was closer to campus.

Tasi was the next place on our list. We had to venture off High Street but the sandwich was worth it. The building was nice and then staff really cared about the customers. They were excited to serve us and I will be more than willing to go back. I will recommend this place to others.

Jeni’s Ice cream place has always been a favorite of mine. They have very good and had flavors that are interesting to try. I have been to this place several times and will encourage anyone to try it out. Everyone screams for ICE CREAM!

To further appease my sweet tooth, we traveled to Rocket Fizz. They had all kinds of candy and pop. There was so many choices and it reminded me of a local shop from my hometown. With would be a great place to stock up on candy for the holidays.

Career Exploration Assignment

by

It is hard to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life. Your future career isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life. Currently, I think I have done well in my career exploration process and have a general idea of where I want to end up in the future. I know all of this is willing to change and fluctuate but I am sure I want to enjoy what I do. After completing this workshop, I learned more about the qualities that define me. The first one chosen was “realistic”. The website states that realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. The second one was “social”. These occupations were stated to frequently involve working with and teaching people. These occupations also often involve helping or providing service to others. Lastly, I chose “investigative”. The website defines these occupations to frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally. These qualities go along with my future career plan to be a Wildlife Officer. This occupation will require extensive outdoor work. I will have to work with others and work alongside the public. I will also be required to do my own investigative work and be a critical thinker. The O*Net Website recommend several careers for my code. The top five were -Forest Firefighters, Dietetic Technicians, Radiologic Technologists, Veterinary Assistants/Laboratory Animal Caretakers, and Cardiovascular Technologists/Technicians. My current career path does not appear on this list. The only career somewhat related to my interests is the first one -forest firefighter. All of this however, does not affect my current career plan. I personally have a difficult time taking these computer-generated tests nor will I let it change the career path I’ve dreamt about since I was 12. I have met with a few directors and faculty members and discussed my academic plans and have been told I am on the right track. I will continue my education along with obtaining experience, internships, and gaining outdoor skills to help my resume. I may consider graduate school but I will wait until I get a job and work for a few years first. I will search for a job with the U.S. Wildlife Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, or The Federal Bureau of Investigation. With the right mindset, anything is possible and my future career will work out.

Columbus To Do List, Part 1

by

The Columbus To Do List is a great concept built toward student success. It forces us to get off campus and explore everything Columbus has to offer. It allows us to learn how to navigate the city, walking and using the COTA buss system and making friends along the way. I love being outdoors and exploring nature so I decided to choose the Nature and Outdoor Adventure list. I figured this would be a great opportunity to find places to get away from the city. Initially from this assignment I would like an “A” but I would also like to find places close to campus where I can go to relax or hang out on the weekends.  To first start off my list, I decided to go to the Scioto Audubon Metro Park with Will and Ben. We went on a Sunday and it was not overly crowded. It was a beautiful day, and we wanted to make the best of it. We hear there was an opportunity to climb so we brought our climbing gear and learned to lead climb on their huge manmade 35-foot tall climbing rock which covers 7,000 square feet. There are also many other things to do in the park. They have an obstacle course, opportunities for fishing/boating, a dog park, recreational fields, and four walking trails that go through the park. It was an awesome experience and I will certainly go back. This was and exciting adventure and I would recommend everyone to go check it out!

 

Mentor Meeting Assignment

by

Mentor Meeting Assignment

I met up with my Saplings Mentor earlier this week and had a conversation with her touching on different topics such as, Academics, Involvement, ENR Scholars, Careers, and General Advice. I really enjoyed meeting with Jesze, my peer mentor. She was very willing to help me and give me advise based on her experiences at OSU.

Academics

We discussed academics and how to keep up with the school workload. I learned to take advantage of office hours and any available resources. I was also encouraging to draw out my four-year plan and make sure to stay true to it. School can be stressful but with a positive mind set and hard work, everything is manageable.

Involvement

Getting involved is very important here at The Ohio State University. It helps students interact with others along with getting them out of the dorm room. Students need to get out and experience real world scenarios that will prepare them for the future. I am getting involved but I was reminded not to get overly involved and overly caught up in extracurricular activities. It is important to get involved with others that share similar interests. Clubs and groups are an excellent way to make friends and connections more opportunities.

ENR Scholars

Jesze took advantage of ENR scholars and gave me some helpful hints. We talked about how beneficial it is to be surrounded by a group of people with similar interests. We all take our floor for granted. We have a community based environment and we are all willing to be good friends. It is nice getting to know people from all around the country. This is all a part of making the college transition easier and more successful. I learned to be open, and you can never have enough friends.

Careers

I was encouraged to branch out take advantage of any volunteer opportunities. Networking, and making connections can be extremely beneficial when applying for a job in the future. Jesze, a Zoology major, worked hard to build her resume. She made connections and did internships at different zoos. She stressed the point how making connections is key. These opportunities are a great chance to show professionals what you know, and how they can benefit from employing you. This has inspired me to search for internships and volunteer opportunities early. Getting involved now, will amplify my remuse and help me stand out from other applicants.

General Advice

I am considering doing a study abroad trip but was worried about scholarships and costs. Jesze informed me about the STEP program and many other scholarship opportunities. She encouraged use my resources and talk to others who have went in the past. I was also told the advantages of obtaining a good relationship with my advisor and mentors. Their advice and experience can help me with any problem or concern I may have. They can help me plan my classes for the upcoming years and help make sure I get all my required credits.

VIA Strengths Inventory

by

Top 5 Strengths                          

  1. Humor

Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people; seeing the light side; making (not necessarily telling) jokes.

  1. Bravery

Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain; speaking up for what’s right even if there’s opposition; acting on convictions even if unpopular; includes physical bravery but is not limited to it.

  1. Zest

Approaching life with excitement and energy; not doing things halfway or halfheartedly; living life as an adventure; feeling alive and activated.

  1. Kindness

Doing favors and good deeds for others; helping them; taking care of them.

  1. Honesty

Speaking the truth but more broadly presenting oneself in a genuine way and acting in a sincere way; being without pretense; taking responsibility for one’s feelings and actions.

 

My thoughts on my results:

I have never really evaluated my personality before so I found this very interesting. I agree with my top 5 because I fell the descriptions are very accurate. I am an honest person and I always stay true to my values. I love making others laugh and am never afraid to take on a challenge. However, I did think curiosity would be higher up because I enjoy exploring new ideas and trying new things. My favorite strength is “zest” or “humor” because I always love finding laughter in life along with going on adventures and living life one day at a time.

 

Below is a picture of me rock climbing at Red River Gorge in Kentucky. I believe this shows my “zest” strength because I was living life on the edge and taking the challenge on with excitement.

 

About Me

by

Hello everyone! My name is Nathan Robinson. I grew up in the small town of Coldwater Ohio. I have four siblings, loving parents, and a couple acers full of farm animals. I went to school at Celina Ohio and ran Cross Country, was in National Honors Society, and was in various science and engineering groups. Throughout high school, I worked at a local pharmacy. This job required me to be focused, and have strong problem solving skills. I believe this job prepared me for the real world and taught me lessons beyond a textbook. My senior year, I took my job a step further and obtained my Pharmaceutical Technicians Lenience. I was also very active in 4H. I was a 10-year member, holding most all the offices including president in our local club. I was also a Harbor Point 4H Camp Counselor, and on the Junior Fair Board, all on top of raising and showing livestock at our county fairs. I later took up the opportunity to get involved with the Interstate Exchange Trip and spent a week In Montana right along Glacier National Park. I have been an Ohio State fan my entire life and am very excited to finally be a Buckeye! I am majoring in Natural Resource Management with intentions of becoming a federal Game Warden. I love hunting, fishing, and being outdoors which are all key factors in this career. I am a strong leader and enjoy talking to and helping others. I want to protect what the great outdoors has to offer and preserve God’s wonders for future generations.