Name: Mick Washo
Major(s), Minor(s), Program(s): Major in International Studies (Global Politics and Societies), Minor in Latin American Studies, Minor in Urban Agriculture
Previous Major(s), Minor(s), Program(s): none
What attracted you to your initial major(s) and minor(s)?: For Urban Agriculture, I was really interested in developing these skills in an academic setting that I would otherwise never have an opportunity to learn. While many of my peers plan to go on to lead urban ag initiatives and work on farms, I do not plan to do that. Rather I value what I have learned through USF’s urban ag program because I will now be able to better build my own garden. It will make the lifelong hobby of gardening much more fulfilling and allow my garden to be more advanced.
What inspired you to change program(s)?: Novella Carpenter inspired me totally to join the program. She is one of the most amazing professors USF has. She knows so much about a field that seems to stump all my other professors.
What do you like best about your current major(s) and minor(s)?: Participating in the Urban Ag minor is a great way to add a focus to your extra classes at USF. What I like most about it is being able to spend time outside in the garden each week. I find this experience to be really grounding and refreshing. Additionally, learning how to cook with all the different food we produce is an amazing experience.
What is most challenging about your current major(s) and minor(s)?: It can at times be challenging to work with the earth, weather and city. A large challenge of urban agricultural in general is that people often times don’t want you there. Your access to the land is often informal or insecure. Sadly the USF program teaches us that well. Many other departments are constantly trying to take over different parts of the garden for their own projects.
What sort of internships and career opportunities have you explored?: I have lead the USF Food Recovery Network for the past 4 years. FRN takes food that would have been wasted from the school’s cafeteria and donates it around San Francisco. We work very closely with the garden and many urban ag students volunteer with us.
What sort of extracurricular opportunities have you participated in?: FRN has donated over 30 thousand pounds of food in the past four years.
What resources helped you with your exploration journey?: All of the resources offered by Novella are what got me here today. She constantly inspired and motivated me to learn more and dive deeper into the topic.
What advice do you have for students exploring majors?: I would advise any student to participate in at least one urban ag class. The first thing, these classes are in enjoyable. Next comes learning about managing a garden.