In the fall of 2023, a group of seven students took part in UC Davis' Quarter at Aggie Square program called Plants, People, and the Planet. This program provided a unique combination of experiential learning opportunities, community engagement, and coursework, the students explored the multifaceted dimensions of sustainable living and environmental stewardship. 

Students in the program had the opportunity to participate in an internship and a community engagement course. These elements provided a balance of practical experience and theoretical understanding, empowering students to apply what they learned in authentic settings as they collaborated with community organizations and stakeholders.

The students undertook internships with various organizations in the Sacramento area such as Communicare Health Center, We Grow Urban Farms, and Yisrael Family Farm. These internships not only provided valuable professional development opportunities for the students but also served as avenues for them to make contributions towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Their projects focused on themes of food justice and health equity, allowing them to acquire practical skills through research, fieldwork, and community outreach.

Second year Plant Sciences major, B’Elanna Pho, interned at We Grow Urban Farms, where she focused on advocacy for Black farmers. For Pho, the promise of hands-on learning coupled with the opportunity to explore personal topics of interest, such as plant equity and land management, ultimately led to her participation in the program. 

Pho’s internship experience was a blend of hands-on work and logistical planning. On days that she worked on the farm, she would get an early start with tasks ranging from equipment management to crop care. Since the farm was undergoing a transitional phase, as an intern, she found herself immersed in activities like dismantling, re-seeding, and preparing for the changing seasons. Beyond the fields, her internship extended to management meetings for the Ujamaa Farmer Collective, a nonprofit organization working to empower historically underserved farmers in the greater Sacramento area. In attending these meetings with local industry experts, she delved into the intricacies of organizational structure, legal matters, outreach, and fundraising. 

Through these experiences, Pho came to better understand how policy shapes agriculture. In attending a California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force Meeting, Pho was better able to grasp the intricate interplay between policy decisions and agricultural realities. This broadened her understanding of the systemic challenges within the system. Through this interaction with community members and industry stakeholders, she gained insights into grassroots initiatives and collaborative efforts aimed at addressing pressing issues within the agriculture sector. 

Reflecting on her experience, Pho shared how it has influenced her career aspirations, saying, "It gave me a clearer idea of what I want to do and how my role as a student with access to education can make a difference for those in need."

As we navigate the complexities of our rapidly changing world, programs like UC Davis' Quarter at Aggie Square provide students with the necessary tools to make a difference. By connecting students with cohorts across intersections like Plants, People, and the Planet, this program equips the next generation of leaders with the knowledge, skills, and passion to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Pho's experience at We Grow Urban Farms embodies the strong values of UC Davis, exemplifying the university's strategic plan, To Boldly Go. By centering worldly issues around human rights, sustainability, and environmental justice through internships, such as at We Grow Urban Farms, students engage in transformative hands-on learning and collaboration with community organizations, inspiring positive change in the world.

Students interested in the program can learn more on the PPP experience page. Applications for the 2024 cohort are open through May 17, 2024. Learn more at the May 15, 2024 info session or contact qas@ucdavis.edu for questions about the program.