April 2, 2008

Eight Sustainable Living students and faculty member Alex Kachan recently spent Block 6 in southern Florida studying exotic tropical fruit production — the first time this course has been offered.

The venue was a 150-acre tropical fruit and bamboo farm in Homestead, Florida. The goal was to provide the students academic knowledge, expose them to top experts, and let them perform hands-on farm work.

"The owners of the farm really went out of their way to provide us with the best possible learning experience and an enjoyable stay," Mr. Kachan said. "Both were very knowledgeable about every aspect of cultivating and marketing tropical fruits."

They also arranged many field trips, from the famous Everglades and Fairchild Botanical Gardens to local nurseries and related businesses, and introduced the students to fascinating and inspiring people in this industry.

A highlight was a visit to Glaser Organic Farms, run by Stan and Tracy Glaser, who hosted the students for a satisfying raw-food/vegan lunch and pie, and gave them a tour of their farm and business operation that caters to vegans.

The course is to be offered again next year.