Alice Bagley, Whitman College, Walla Walla
3-month summer internship, 2007
Project on the farm:
• Holistic Ecosystems in Agriculture
Project report:
“Soil Fertility and Compost in a Holistic Farm System”
Alice returned to Whitman to finish her bachelor’s degree in environmental science, for which completion of a farm-based internship was a requirement.
Stephen Bramwell, B.A. (International Studies, Botany), U. of Washington, Seattle, 2002.
9-month “Outreach and Development Internship” (February-November, 2005)
Projects on the Farm:
- Sustainable, small-scale farm management
- Feasibility study and plan for transitioning S&S Homestead Farm from private ownership to a community owned non-profit (in collaboration with Lopez Community Land Trust)
Project reports:
- “A Land Trust, a Small Farm, and Our Agricultural Heritage.” (Poster presentation at King County Small Farm Expo, Spring 2005.)
- “Real Food on the Farm. A Workshop Presenting Nutritionally Vital Foods that Promote Health and Healing,” (in collaboration with Katy Prime). Biodynamics: Working for Social Renewal through Agriculture, Autumn 2005-Number 254
After his internship, Stephen earned a M.S. in soil science at Washington State University. Thesis: “Integrating Livestock and Organic Grain Production in the Inland Northwest,” 2008. As of 2009 he is teaching sustainable agriculture at Evergreen State College.
Colleen Conboy, Seattle University, Seattle
3-month internship, 2009
Project on the farm:
• Orchard management
• Study of Goethean science and plant morphology
Project report:
Forthcoming (on plant experiment relating to morphology)
Colleen returned to Seattle University in 2009 to complete her degree in environmental studies.
Chandrappa Gangaiah, B.Sc. (Agriculture), Agricultural U., Bangalore, India
Visiting Scholar, CSANR, Washington State University
3-month summer internship, 2002
Projects on the farm:
- Small-scale integrated farm management
- Farm plan to teach sustainability to farmers in India
Project reports:
- “Pasture Management on S&S Homestead Farm” (5 pp.)
- “Animal Husbandry on S&S Homestead Farm” (6 pp.)
- “Farm Practices on Gangaiah Farm (Karnataka, India) and S&S Homestead Farm: A Comparison” (11 pp.)
After her internship, she completed an M.S. degree in horticulture at Kansas State University, 2004. Thesis: “Suppression of Septoria Leaf Spot (septoria lycopersici) and Early Blight of Tomatoe (alternaria solani) Using Aerated Compost Tea.
Chandrappa is employed as laboratory research manager at Sustainable Services of Idaho.
Jessica Gigot, B.S. (Biology) Middlebury College
$ 1,460 stipend for project expenses (Kellogg Foundation P2020)
3-month summer internship, 2003
Projects on the farm:
- Sustainable small-farm systems and food production
- Compost sprays and soil fertility
- Bio-dynamic methods in farming
Project report:
“Compost Management Plan for S&S Homestead Farm” (18 pp.)
At completion of internship, Jessica was appointed research assistant while pursuing a master’s degree in plant pathology at Washington State University. She earned the M.S. degree with a thesis on “Survival of Phytophthora infestans on volunteer potato plants.” Jessica is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in horticulture at WSU.
Matt Graville, Lopez High School Senior
3-month summer internship for high school science credit
Projects on the farm:
- The Function of Bats in Farm Ecology
- Triploid Carp and the Control of Pond Algae
- Small-Scale Production of Grain (feasibility study)
Matt graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the Friends World Program in 2003.
Andrew Haden, B.S. (Sustainable Agriculture), The Evergreen State College
Visiting Scholar, CSANR, Washington State University
3-month summer internship, 2002
Project on the farm:
- Compare the performance of S&S Homestead Farm as an ecosystem with the structure and functions of a mature natural ecosystem
Project report:
- “Emergy Analysis of Food Production at S&S Homestead Farm” (33 pp.)
- Data presented at Northwest Symposium on Organic and Bio-intensive Farming, November 8, 2002, Yakima, WA (poster)
After completing the internship, Andrew earned a M.S. degree at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture in Uppsala, Sweden, incorporating his emergy study of S&S Homestead Farm into his thesis, entitled “Emergy Use, Self-Organization and Rural Change” (2002).
Margaret Hauptmann, (Senior, Sustainable Agriculture), The Evergreen State College
6-month summer/winter project, 2001-2002
Project on the farm:
- “Energy Flow and Farm Efficiency” (a comparative study of sixteen Northwest farms)
Project report:
- “The Energy Flow of S&S Homestead” (14 pp.) Seminar report presented at The Evergreen State College, January 2002.
- Researched sustainable food systems in preparation for graduate study
Johanna Hoek, M.S. (Pharmacognosy), Karolinska Institute, Sweden
Visiting Scholar, CSANR, Washington State University
3-month summer internship, 2002
Project on the farm:
- Methods of organic, small-scale farming
- Functions of medicinal herbs in a closed farm system
Project reports:
- “Medicinal plants on S&S Homestead Farm” (14 pp.)
- “Nutrient Recycling and Composting on S&S Homestead Farm” (26 pp.)
As of Fall 2009, Johanna is Research Assistant and Ph.D candidate at Karolinska Institute, Sweden.
Erin Horan, Emerson College, England
5-month internship, 2008
Project on the farm:
- Implementation of required internship for degree in Biodynamic Agriculture
Erin returned to Emerson College at the end of her internship to finish her degree.
Brian Huntington (now Kvistad), B.S. (Computer Science and English), Seattle University
1-year apprenticeship, 2000-2001
$ 2000 stipend for tuition and project expenses (Kellogg Foundation P2020)
Project on the farm:
- Sustainable Small Farm Systems
- Straw Bale Construction
Projects reports:
- “Animal Husbandry” (15pp)
- “Soil Health and Fertility” (5 pp.)
- “Pasture Management” (5 pp.)
- “Water Systems” (5 pp.)
For 3 years, was chairman of “Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Committee” of the Lopez Community Land Trust. Now co-owns and co-manages Blossom Food Store on Lopez to supply locally grown agricultural products to the community (married to Jennelle Questad <now Kvistad>).
Stacey London, B .S. (Nutrition), Bastyr University
3-month summer internship, 1999
Project on the farm:
- Ecological Food Production
- Holistic Nutrition and Soil Health
After completing the internship, Stacey completed a master of science at Bastyr University in nutrition, with a thesis entitled “The Significance of Diet in Controlling ADD in School Children” (1999). Currently a registered dietician on the staff of Center for Integrative Medicine in Concord, NH, while living on a cooperative farm (married to Craig Oshkello).
Vanessa Marsh, B.Sc. (Agriculture), Lubbock Christian U. (Texas)
3-month summer internship, 2002
Projects on the farm:
- Small-scale sustainable farm systems
- Water systems
- Soil health
- Nutrition
- Farm entomology
Project report:
- “A Typology of Insects on S&S Homestead Farm” (7 pp.)
After the internship, Vanessa taught nutrition courses at South Plains Food Bank, Lubbock, Texas (USDA grant supported) and supervised the youth project at the Food Bank’s 5-acre farm.
Bill McKey, B.S. (Computer Science and Philosophy), U. of North Carolina
3-month summer internship, 2000
Projects on the farm:
- Organic food production
- Straw bale construction
Bill today is an interactive website and information systems developer in Charlotte, NC, where he practices ecological food production to sustain himself and his family.
Farhida Mow, B.S. (Sustainable Agriculture) Evergreen State College
6-month traineeship, 2008
Project on the farm:
- Management, Lopez Community Farm CSA
Farhida left the farm to start a family.
Lisa Murgatroyd, B.A., Humboldt University, 2005
18-month traineeship, 2007-8
Projects on the farm:
- Implemention of Lopez Community Farm CSA
- Coordination of Lopez Island Farm Education (LIFE) program
Project reports:
- “The First Year in the Development of Lopez Community Farm CSA”
- “This Isn’t A Show Garden” (link to Food Book)
Lisa left the farm to get married (to Jesse Pizzitola) and settle near his family in California.
Craig Oshkello, B.A. (Landscape Architecture), University of Washington
3-month summer internship, 1999
Projects on the farm:
- Sustainable Small Farm Management
- Community Supported Agriculture
- Farm and Landscape Design
After the internship, Craig completed his thesis “Design, Management, and Ecology of Seven Biodynamic Community Supported Agricultural Farms in Central New England” to earn the M.L.A. degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Washington, 2000.
Craig is currently a landscape architect and ecological consultant on the staff of Land For Good, Inc., a private land planning firm in Concord, NH, while living on a cooperative farm (married Stacey London).
Kelley Palmer-McCarty
Internship June-September 2009
Projects on the farm:
- Orchard management
- Goethean science and applied study of plant morphology
- Illustrations for S&S Homestead Farm Foodbook (link to Food book)
Project Report:
Biodynamic Farming and Goethe’s Concept of Plant Morphology (22 pp.)
After the internship, Kelley returned to Fairhaven College (WWU) to complete degrees in science and art.
Deanna Perlman
1-year apprenticeship January-December 2014 under the NAPDAP program
Projects on the farm:
- Beef, dairy. sheep, pig and chicken husbandry
- Bread baking and cheese making
- Vegetable production for whole-diet CSA
- Sheep fiber processing from fleece to wool
- Developing curriculum/teaching on-farm high-school class in wool processing
Project Report:
Wool Processing at S&S Homestead: Grow, create, teach, learn (28 pp.)
Deanna will complete her apprenticeship at Hill and Hollow Farm (Kentucky).
Jesse Pizzitola
18-month traineeship, 2007-8
Project on the Farm:
- Implementation of Lopez Community Farm CSA
Project report:
Jesse left the farm to get married (to Lisa Murgatroyd) and settle near his family in California.
Christopher Preciado, (Junior, Community Studies), The Evergreen State College
3-month summer internship, 2001
$1,000 stipend for tuition (Kellogg Foundation P2020)
Projects on the farm:
- Intensive livestock management
- Holistic farm management in its community context
Katrina Prime, B.A. (Anthropology), Johnson State College, Johnson, Vt., 1998.
6-month internship, February-August, 2005
Projects on the Farm:
- “Ecological Food Production” (Agriculture class for high school students, February-June, 2005)
- “Real Food on the Farm” (On-farm workshop on the relationship between nutrition and human health, May, 2005)
- Dairy management (value-added dairy production)
- Greenhouse and vegetable production
Project reports:
- “It’s All About the Food: Understanding Relations Between Nutrition and Farm Foods” (Poster presentation at King County Small Farm Expo, Spring 2005).
- “Seasonal Foods on S&S Homestead Farm: Nutrient Content, Propagation, and Culinary Preparation,” May 2005, 29 pp.
- “Real Food on the Farm: A Workshop Presenting Nutritionally Vital Foods that Promote Health and Healing,” (in collaboration with Stephen Bramwell), published in Biodynamics: Working for Social Renewal through Agriculture, Autumn 2005-Number 254.
- “Grade A Dairy Certification. A preliminary report on certification requirements for S&S Homestead Farm,” July 2005.
After the internship, Katrina attended the University of Idaho and earned a M.A. degree in anthropology (now married to Stephen Bramwell).
Jennelle Questad (now Kvistad), B.S. (Nutrition), Bastyr University3-month summer internship, 2001
Projects on the farm:
- Sustainable Food Production and Nutrition
- S&S Farm Foodbook (research on farm produced foods)
Project reports:
- “City Girl Turns Farmer.” Published in Bringing Home the Harvest. Newsletter of Rural Roots, vol. 3, no. 2 (Summer 2001)
- “Meat (I was a vegetarian…)” Link to Food Book
- “Some Thoughts on Eating” Link to Foodbook
Now co-owner of Blossom Food Store on Lopez supplying locally grown agricultural products to the island community. Married to Brian Huntington (now Kvistad).
Tracie Red Elk, B.A. (Animal Science and Art), U. of California
3-month summer internship, 2003
Projects on the farm:
- Small-scale farming integrating plant and animal production
- Engage Lopez Island youth in the practice of sustainable agriculture
- Seeks to prepare for further education and career in working with youth on an agricultural basis.
Jan Scilipoti, M.A. (Interior Design), U. of Virginia
1-year project, 2000-2001
Project on the farm:
- Straw Bale Construction (intern house project leader)
Project report:
“A Straw Bale Bunkhouse for a Sustainable Farm,” published in The Last Straw: The International Journal of Straw Bale and Natural Building, No. 34 (Summer 2001). (link)
Jan now is assistant director of Lopez Community Land Trust.
Oliver Sehmsdorf, Akademisches Gymnasium, Salzburg, Austria
3-month internship, 2008
Project on the farm:
- Biodynamic implementation
Project report:
“Sustainability on a Small-Scale, Biodynamic Farm”
Oliver returned to Austria to finish high school; and as of 2009 he studies Spanish and history at the University of Salzburg.
Sebastian Sehmsdorf, Realschule, Calw, Germany
3-month internship, 2009
Project on the farm:
- General farm practice and management
Project report:
“Nutrient Cycling on a Biodynamic Farm”
Sebastian returned to Germany in 2009 to finish secondary school in preparation for an apprenticeship in design.
Joseph Steinman (Junior, U. of Nebraska)
3-month summer internship, 2003
Projects on the farm:
- Sustainable land use and rural lifestyle
Planned to enter Bates College (Tacoma, WA) to complete a degree in land surveying.
Andrew C. Thomson, B.S. (Agronomy), Washington State University
3-month summer internship, 1999
Projects on the farm:
- Integrated Pest Management on an Organic, Integrated Farm
- Sustainable Community Food Systems
Project reports:
“Sustainable Agriculture and the Community on Lopez Island, WA”
After completing the internship, Andrew earned a master of science with a thesis on “Assessing the Potential Sustainability of the Local Food System on Lopez Island, Washington: A Case Study” (Environmental Science, WSU Program in Environmental Science and Regional Planning, 2000). ( Link?)
Andrew currently works as biological consultant with Dudek & Associates in Oceanside, CA.
Sarah Wanless, B.A. (English), U. of San Francisco
6-month internship, starting February, 2004
Projects on the farm:
- Small-scale biodynamic farm management
- Explore models for starting a farm-based community for special needs people
- Non-profit development
Tasha Wilson, High School Senior, Lopez Public School
3-month summer internship, 2004
Projects on the farm:
- Heirloom bean trials (in collaboration with Dr. Carol Miles, plant systems specialist, WSU)
- Small-scale dairy
- Community-supported agriculture (CSA)
Project reports:
- “Ecological Food Production: Lopez Island Farm-to-School Project,” Tilth Producers Quarterly (Summer, 2004), 6f. (Link??)
- “Seeds of Life,” Senior thesis on heirloom bean trials, Lopez Island High School, June 2005.
Tasha attended Scripps College, California, and graduated from Whitman College, Walla Walla. She is planning to pursue a degree in environmental law.