In this week’s collection, there were three main impressions that I believe were important. The first one is that third-world countries have access to agricultural technologies and implement them in their communities. The second one being Malawi truly utilizes tree resources even with a deforestation problem currently in correction. The third one, a surprise, is that some African-Americans do not see their own representation in farming a positive in modern-day America.

I find it quite amazing that my formalized education never gave me any pre-existing knowledge to aid in my reading of this week’s featured stories. I learned so much about the world in the context of agriculture. There will be/are varying degrees of people’s involvement in agriculture and it was reassuring to see that people with almost nothing are utilizing technologies like rooftop farming which most people often overlook here on our shores. I wish I could understand more how people in Kampala, Uganda were so quickly on board to implement those growing strategies.
Even with great progress on the global front, I was very sad to learn through NPR’s Farming While Black article a black farmer Penniman interviewed had no support from his family when switching from tech to farming with a statement such as “going back to the plantation.” I find that quite scary, but it also made me think.

Being a Hispanic forestry student at the University of Florida, I can easily say that most of my classmates are of White descent and that I am a minority. But there was only one African-American student in my program cohort and putting two-and-two together I question if black households are supporting their children to study agriculture. I really hope there are not kids out there being dismissed by their parents if they decide to show interest in a field of infinite career possibilities.

I am honestly inspired this exercise, and I think I will spend me 2019 figuring out a way to welcome people of all backgrounds to the agricultural industry and to make sure it feels like a home. Because I have had my fair share of experiences at the University of Florida that were racially charged.

1. What are three to six key points or impressions that you will take away from these stories?
2. Write a 200-word reflection that engages, analyzes, critiques, expands upon, and/or questions what you read or listened to.
3. Share your reflections on your experience reading, watching or listening to the solutions journalism stories. Did you learn new information; gain new understanding; see things with a different perspective than you had in the past? Did the stories reinforce an idea or thought you'd previously had?  Did you meet new people, or learn about opportunities you were previously unaware of?
4. Were there other stories this week that you’d like to give an “honorable mention” that you enjoyed, but were not your top choice to share?
5. What else would you like to share?