Service Learning Reflection 3

• What did you do? 

 At the Sol Garden on the UNCA campus I learned how to plant seeds for the first time. I also harvested a bunch of different plants that the volunteers later divided up to take home. 

• In what ways has your service-learning experience enhanced your academic growth?

I have learned how to plant and harvest produce which will be very helpful in future because I plan to start a garden of my own when I move into a home. I've learned many new names of plants and how to recognize them as well as learning that certain leaves can be sour!!!! 

  

• In what ways has your service-learning experience enhanced your personal growth?

I always knew that gardening in theory was something I enjoyed but, after actually doing it I found that I love it! I find it very meditative and calming to be in your own head while digging into the dirt with the sun shining (hopefully). 

• In what ways has your service-learning experience enhanced your civic learning?  

I've learned that the Sol Garden is mostly for learning purposes. Before I volunteered there I was under the impression that they gave what they grew to the cooks in Brown Hall. The Sol Garden has also made a sense of family for me, I can always expect the same people there eagerly ready to help!

• What are your service-learning goals for the future?  

I want to continue working with the Sol Garden even after my service learning is over and also visit the other gardens on campus to see how they differ. 

"Will Organic Food Fail to Feed the World" and "Biotechnology Isn't The Key to Feeding the World"

In these pieces the authors debate whether or not the world has enough food to feed everyone and the short answer is: yes. As we continue to develop the way we grow and make food the answer might change to no. Farmers are now using fish to feed fish and cow to feed cow which takes away from the protein we as consumers can buy and eat. (Lappè 249)

The Ted Talk by Ron Finley he speaks about growing food and the benefits of it. I really enjoyed it because starting my own garden when I move to a house or apartment is a goal of mine. The way that healthy food and planting it as a community can change so much is inspiring. It can be so easy to learn to do is a reason we should all consider starting a garden. An important subject that Finley touched on was getting children to plant produce. This reminded me of FEAST and the great things they're doing to help our community in Asheville by teaching children about food and giving them hands on experience planting and cooking their own food. "If kids plant kale, they eat kale. If kids plant tomatoes, they eat tomatoes." says Finley and I couldn't agree more. If food education was a part of every elementary and middle school imagine how that generation could change their lives and the world.

"The Omnivore's Delusion" and "Real Food, Real Farming"

"The Omnivore's Delusion" by Blake Hurt and "Real Food, Real Farming" by Eliot Coleman show two sides and opinions on agriculture. Blake Hurt explains that farming is the way it is because of the consumers. Factory farming is necessary in this economy-- you can't expect farming to continue how it was in the1950s. Coleman argues that farming needs to become fully organic and animals need to be treated correctly when I think that that's verging on impossible. 

Don't get me wrong, I would love if all of our food options were free range, organic poultry, meat, and produce but it won't happen. The way our food industry is now we won't ever be able to turn back unless something huge changes. In my opinion I wish that the "invention" of food products wasn't a concept at all. How great would it be if there were never any Twinkies or Oreos; what even are those? Just chemicals mixed together and the whole world has bought into the idea that this is okay. Yes, of course I eat those mixtures of who-knows-what but if they were never an option I can't say I'd miss them. I've recently had the opportunity to eat completely organic, straight from the garden food and the taste is so different and delightfully tasty it really blows my mind about the ingredients farmers make our food with.  

"Downsizing Supersize" and "Why Shame Won't Stop Obesity"

         In "Downsizing Supersize" by James Surowiecki he first brings the issue of 'large' drinks and their ban from New York. When first reading, I disagree with Surowiecki because people in restaurants and fast food can always ask for refills but, as I continued reading I started to agree. In a word where everything must be convenient, people don't normally go out of their way to ask for a larger drink and stick with the default option. Surowiecki also references an experiment where a bowl of M&Ms were placed with a smaller or larger scoop with the sign "Eat Your Fill". Reportedly, people took more when presented with a larger scoop. This shows that people eat as much as is presented to them and outside factors do matter.

        "Why Shame Won't Stop Obesity" by Dhruv Khullar pins obesity on the availability of unhealthy, fatty foods and the need for positive affordable ways to stay healthy. In children especially,   advertisements for fast food restaurants increase the craving for those foods. I think Khuller does a good job in including all perspective of healthy eating. When constantly eating from a cafeteria, it cane difficult to distinguish healthy from unhealthy and when you're a parent it can be hard to feed your children well every meal.

Food in Asheville

When I first heard the instructions to the assignment "Find an image that somehow represents food in Asheville." I immediately thought of this sticker I see posted everywhere in downtown Asheville:

This sticker reminds everyone that the food (etc.) that you're buying has a hard working source behind it. It's important to give thanks to these hardworking people in our community by buying their products rather than products from "strangers". Even just moving here a month and  half ago, I have fallen in love with Asheville and its community. To be able to support the people of Asheville brings joy to my heart. I find that giving back by buying local produce from the tailgate market that comes through UNC Asheville every Saturday is rewarding to the producer and myself in other ways than just making a purchase. 

Put your money where your heart is!

First Service Reflection

Unfortunately,  I have been unable to participate in a service learning project yet. I have attended in F.E.A.S.T informational meeting, though, and I was very interested. I was sure that that would be the place I would focus most if not all of my service learning hours there because I love children and cooking! However, I'might unable to take part in F.E.A.S.T because of lack of transportation.
My next option is working in the gardens on campus which I learned a little about in class but was unable to attend the orientation for more information. I still plan to work there this upcoming week and learn more as I go.
The Key Center visited one of my classes to tell us about what they do. I was happy to find out that if you take two service learning courses you receive the title of a Community Engaged Scholar. I learned about all they do at the Key Center and it made me excited to participate in their upcoming trip to an elephant sanctuary.

"You Can't Run Away on Harvest Day" and "Taking Local on the Road"

      Barbara Kingsolver tells us about death on the farm and death of people and plants in “You Can’t Run Away on Harvest Day”. I found from this article that I really don’t know a lot about where my food comes from. I never thought about being vegetarian not really saving that many lives. When she was going into detail about all of the lives ended by plowing fields and growing crops I found it disturbing. But, I like her perspective, “To believe we can live without taking life is delusional.” (Kingsolver 186) Death happens with just walking down the street, it’s sad to think about but it’s unpreventable. I liked this piece other than it being a little long and didn’t have much point towards the end that I could see. I didn’t necessarily want to hear about the way the chickens/ turkeys are killed but I see why she thought it was something you should know. After reading this article I feel like I need to find out more about where my meat comes from before I eat it.

Camille Kingsolver’s piece made me wish I grew up on a farm. To constantly have fresh fruits, veggies, and meat would be amazing. But, unfortunately we can’t have that in college. I would really like to spend maybe a week or two on a farm to see what it’s really like. Overall I enjoyed these pieces and the information made me sway my opinion on food in general.

"Reclaiming True Grits” and "Eating the Hyphen”

             In "Reclaiming True Grits" by Bryant Terry he explains how the definition of Soul Food has been twisted into something it's not. Instant grits, fried chicken, "unsophisticated and unhealthy fare comprised of high-calorie, low-nutrient dishes" (Terry, 82) is what most of society thinks of when they hear the words "Soul Food". Terry goes on to say that soul food is good for you and delicious when made correctly. I myself have never tried real soul food and I would like to after reading this piece. I think it's offensive to African American families that this term became used so wrongly by so many people. Terry also talks about how African American's are known to be overweight or have diabetes more than other races. I think has more to do with genes than how they eat. Terry wants to improve not just the health of African Americans but also every American by having more access to healthy foods.
             "Eating the Hyphen" by Lily Wong tells how she bridges the gap of being Chinese American by eating her dumplings with ketchup. I enjoyed this piece because it was funny and it gave me an idea of how to eat dumplings next time I have them. She mixes steak dumplings with veggies and puts ketchup on the side. Wong then cuts each dumpling in half and squishes the insides out with her fork. She eats all of the meat (dipped in ketchup) along with the veggies first and leaves the thick dumpling skin for last. I like that she takes how she eats dumplings as a symbol for how she's both Chinese and American. She also included how her grandmother gives her a hard time which I think is funny. Overall I liked these pieces.

Her Chee-to Heart

Her Chee-to Heart is basically Jill McCorkle talking about what food she loves. I'm not complaining but, wow. This woman loves food. I personally didn't see the point in this piece but, it did make me hungry. McCorkle is funny and seems like a entertaining person. I enjoyed her witty humor and narratives throughout this writing. For some reason I wondered about her physical appearance so I looked her up and was surprised to find she's a thin woman! Go, Jill.

Not Just a "White Girl's Thing": The Changing Face of Food and Body Image Problems

In the article "Not Just a "White Girl's Thing"", Susan Bordo writes about how eating disorders effect all kinds of people all over the world and how body image expectations have changed throughout the years. I love love LOVE this piece. I would personally like every person to get the chance to read this article. Bordo uses facts, narratives, and references throughout this article. I think this piece is really informative and I really agree with a lot of the content and opinions of the author.

To read the article visit this link: http://learnonline.unca.edu/pluginfile.php/334475/mod_resource/content/1/Not%20Just%20a%20White%20Girls%20Thing.pdf

What the World Eats

Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio  documented what different families eat throughout the world. Their project, “Hungry Planet,” lays out what a family eats for a whole week and what it costs. This project strikes me as thought provoking, shocking, and interesting. Families of 3 in one part of the country sometimes eat 2 times the amount a family of 6 in another country and vice versa. One family of 6 in Chad uses only $1.23 for their whole week! View more families here: http://time.com/8515/hungry-planet-what-the-world-eats/

Food is a way for family and friends to come together and bond. It is also essential for our energy and nutrients to fuel a productive day. Everyone who has access to food on a daily bases should consider it a privilege. Food plays so many roles in our society-- from entertainment to spiritual belief expression.