Stream on the OSU Waterman Student Farm

For two months this past summer, I worked as a research intern on the Ohio State Waterman Student Farm. In addition to my contribution of 200 hours to farm related tasks, I spent an additional 100 hours researching, compiling and developing plans to improve the ecological health of the Student Farm. My project mentor, EEOB graduate student Ryan McCarthy, helped me immensely by identifying plants in the habitat and providing excellent advice and encouragement.

During the internship, I went through many personal changes and struggles, and even though they were very difficult at the time, I believe that I better understand my value as skilled labor in the field of agriculture (now with 7 years of experience) and as a curious, capable student. I pushed myself physically and mentally in those two months and though my body did not react well to the intense hours in the sun, I taught myself an incredible amount about my home environment and developed plans and drawings that future professional me will still be proud of.

Perhaps the most important moment for me during this experience came right at the end, right when I was worn out and sick with heat exhaustion, ready to go home to recharge with my family and put the stress out of my mind. After reviewing my notebook full of research, drawings and ideas with Ryan, he took a moment to really emphasize the quality of my work and the way I approached my project. He, and later Dr. Kristin Mercer, told me that my notebook shows graduate-level work and thinking. It was recommended to me that I consider a research distinction for my degree once I return from Germany. Even months later I can hardly believe that. The stress and

Honeybees on milkweed plant

exhaustion melted away for a moment. I brought that journal with me to Germany both as a physical example of my dedication to my work, but also as a reminder of what sophomore Emily could accomplish.

I had the honor of working with a team of wonderful, passionate young women and femmes while on the farm, some of which will be friends for life. They were all such brilliant lights when my time in Columbus became stressful, and I found warmth and firm support in their friendship. It was honestly life-changing to work in a team with so much feminine creative energy – as an engineering student, I don’t often find this in my classes. We shared with each other freely and deeply, connecting with each other and with our work. They also understood that to work with the land is a personal and intimate experience, and I am honored to have shared in that with my colleagues.

As the only student worker on the farm with previous experience on a farm, specifically on a CSA farm, I was excited to share with others what I knew and learn along the way. Coming into the internship, I was so elated to be back working in the sunlight and soil that I gave a little too much of myself at the beginning and allowed my body to burn itself out rather quickly. I respect farmers and food industry workers even more now, something that will help me better serve and work with them when I am volunteering and/or working professionally in agroecology.

My STEP Experience both offered me the opportunity to verify that this intersection of my interests accurately exemplifies the path I wish to follow throughout the rest of my undergraduate career, and additionally provided me with vital tools for success in my fellowship year abroad. I can now confidently say that I am capable of completing a valuable and independently led research-based internship, and for a young, female STEM student living in a foreign country, that gives me great confidence. I can also feel more confident in my ability to relate to others and work with them toward a common goal.

For these reasons and more, I am immensely grateful for the STEP program and Ohio State’s trust that I could develop and follow through with a project such as my research internship on the OSU Student Farm.

Emily Wilson

Ecological Engineering & German major