Plant Biology Colloquium | Experiential Learning in the Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems Program at Montana State University, Nov. 30

Dr. Macdonald Burgess

The Environmental & Plant Biology Colloquium Series presents Dr. Macdonald Burgess on Nov. 30 from 11:50 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Porter Hall 104.

Burgess is Assistant Professor of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology at Montana State University.

This event is hosted by Dr. Art Trese.

Title: Experiential Learning in the Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems Program at Montana State University.

Abstract: Montana State University (MSU), Montana’s 1862 Land Grant University, started a new interdisciplinary degree program in Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems (SFBS) in 2007. That same year a group of undergraduate students founded Towne’s Harvest Garden (THG), a student-run vegetable farm supplying a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, weekly farm stands during the growing season, and substantial contributions to the Gallatin County Food Bank. Ten years later, THG hosts a keystone experiential learning opportunity for MSU students from several majors, undergraduate and graduate research projects, and numerous community outreach programs. Dr. Mac Burgess (MS from Ohio University in 2006) is an assistant professor of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology and director of THG and will share experiences from the field on measuring student learning outcomes from experiential learning on a student farm.