Reaping the Benefits of Diversification At Loverendale-Ter Linde

Reaping the Benefits of Diversification At Loverendale-Ter Linde

By: Tamisan Latherow and Linde de Vries
FSE-30306 Analysis and Design of Organic Farming Systems

Executive Summary

In this paper we explored the possibilities of integrating several multi-functional aspects to Ter Linde. Our primary goal is to make the system more diverse and thereby more resilient, but also to work within the farmer’s dreams of creating space for tourists, more permanent employment opportunities, better soil and water availability, and more returns on his crops. We have focused on these throughout the research and pinned down several features we believe can cover these topics: Alternative Fodder Production, Intensification of Rotation: Pasturage and Crops, Berry Production, and Flower Strip Utilization.

Agriculture: SUST Design of a Supportive Intervention

Supporting and Understanding Sustainability Transitions (SUST)
ECS-67100

Title of Project: Afvalwater - A Sustainable Approach to Wastewater Treatment in the Netherlands

Notation: The project is self-contained and not associated with WUR. I am working on this project alone and have already done an initial pitch/proposal. In this assignment I will be discussing both the initial proposal and edits that have been made while working with the facilities to start the project.

Final Report: FSE Internship at Landgoed Zuylestein

Designing a diversified cropping plan for a historic vegetable garden at Landgoed Zuylestein

Introduction

The parameters and goals for the internship I selected were to design a cropping plan in space and time while considering the historic value and aesthetics of the garden. The client wanted a garden that would have a high yield with less work. We decided to accomplish this through a combination of crop rotation, intercropping, mulching methodologies and a historical component after meeting with both Wageningen and Zuylestein. The program was under the management of the Farming System Ecology Department at Wageningen University and Research (supervisor Dirk van Apeldoorn) and Landgoed Zuylestein under co-supervision with owner Jemima de Brauwere and garden manager Thea Dengerink. The internship started October 4, 2017 and concluded May 9, 2018, with 4 additional check-in dates throughout May. I was considered part-time until period 5 (March 19, 2018). Until this point I worked 100+ hours on items such as plant lists, planning charts, soil sampling, manure quantity for C:N ratios, and composting methodologies. Afterwards I worked on-site to create and plant/maintain the garden, specifically the 3 test beds (4, 6A, and 8).

Critical Thinking & Internet/Life Skills through the Game of Life

The last few days I have been planning my holiday trips and I realized that the skills I use to find locations, make judgments on hotels, budget flights and food, plan my activities, and pack my bags are all things that students in high school are not taught. However, these are not just important skills for planning a trip, they are the foundation of how most of us 'adults' deal with our day-to-day lives.

Oh yeah, Astrophysics

So....I feel like I write that a lot. "So," but it doesn't matter. Here's the thing, I want to apply to CalTech for my PhD. Yes, I know, CalTech is one of the hardest schools to get into and PhD's are even harder, but it's my top choice for school so there you have it. There are two major reasons: first, their curriculum is class and research based, which I prefer over straight research based and second, they have a really amazing Geological and Planetary Sciences department.

Water Innovation Challenge: Category Afvalwater (Wastewater)

WML & Waterschapsbedrijf Limburg challenged students to come up with innovative solutions for 4 themes within the water cycle. With the Water Innovation Challenge (WIC) students work out their idea or solution as a business plan, mockup and / or prototype.

I participated as part of the Afvalwater (Wastewater) Challenge....and won! So, now to share my idea with the rest of you.

Updates: My brain hurts, does yours?

Typically this blog is simply for completed projects for my various educational endeavors. Tonight, however, it is the 'don't do as I do' blog. Let me start by saying I am tired. Exhausted really. I tried to take the weekend off to recuperate from the semester, but it hasn't helped. In the past 4 grading periods I have done the following: