Why did I choose my place? I chose this place on campus as I frequently walk past it on my way to Old Main for classes. I recognized before this assignment that it was, in my eyes, quite a calm, serene place to take a deep breath on the nearby bench; maybe have a snack or study to wind down.   

 

What have I enjoyed about connecting with my place: I really enjoyed getting to know the agriculture and wildlife that rely on my place. As seen in the photos, I focused mainly on the tree. I noticed several birds and a few squirrels use this tree as a home, and a hideout place from suspected predators. I noticed the tree’s bark really came to life in the sun (seen above). However, on gloomy days, it seemed pale and sort of sad. 

 

What chapter/section did I connect to the easiest, and what was the connection? I found the food and agriculture section (ch 8) the easiest to connect to, as in my personal life, it is the most relevant. Living on my own, I notice the lack of an affordable food supply. Coming from a trades/farming family, I take the small farming crisis very close to heart. I believe shifting cultivation should be practiced more, especially in rural areas. I also believe the government’s chemical pesticides that are used for our food we consume should be banned worldwide; even though the pesticides make them money, it’s not worth the lives of others. Lastly, I found the Vandana Shiva documentary extremely inspiring, and it definitely made me more interested in making the world’s agricultural system better. 

 

One thing I’m grateful for my place for: I’m grateful for the clean air it provides us with, especially with all of the pollutants these days. 

 

One thing my place may feel grateful about me for: towards the end of my time spent at my place, I realized the amount of trash, rappers, etc., littered around or carried in by birds. I made sure to pick all of that up when I noticed it.