From Farm To Field

Two student-athletes and an academic counselor represented the University of Maryland at the Big Ten Conference’s Big Life Agricultural Experience in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on June 25-26.   

Keira Bucher, a pitcher on the Terps’ softball team, and Jonathan Akins, a defensive back on Maryland’s football team, attended the trip. Jacqueline Taylor, an academic counselor at the university, also made the trip as an administrator. The two-day event strengthened the University of Maryland’s ties to agriculture and exposed its participants to careers in farming. 

Thirty-six student-athletes and 10 administrators from Big Ten institutions experienced the immersive educational opportunity as part of the Big Life Series. Participants visited Kroul Farms, which is owned and operated by former Iowa football and New York Jets offensive lineman Matt Kroul and his wife, Nicole.

“The agriculture trip, in my eyes, was from a DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) lens and also from a professional development and educational lens,” Taylor, one of five Big Ten Coalition representatives, said. “The DEI aspect of it is ensuring that people from marginalized groups can access natural food in the Midwest. From the educational piece, it’s learning more about the agribusinesses and understanding that the consumer drives it.” 

Maryland’s attendees gained insight into big-picture concepts of indigenous and cultural identities, agricultural labor, sustainable agriculture and farm ownership. 

Indigenous communities often have unique agricultural practices tied to their cultural identities. Student-athletes learned about those identities to promote cultural preservation and sustainable agriculture. They also learned about the various capacities that individuals within the agricultural sector work. Many of the jobs are essential to the production of food, fiber and other agricultural products.

The student-athletes took a holistic approach to their learning. They were educated on the aims to meet current needs for food and fiber while ensuring the long-term health of ecosystems and the well-being of future generations. Finally, the group gained an understanding of farm ownership and management. The lesson featured insights on land, resource and financial management, business planning, crop and livestock decisions and marketing and sales. 

Bucher is a rising junior studying animal science - animal care and management. She grew up around animals and pets such as dogs, lizards and fish. Bucher is also from San Diego and grew up visiting the San Diego Zoo. 

Her high school offered a similar experience. Twice a week, she and her classmates would meet people in specific careers at the zoo. 

“Anyone in Gossett, the student-athlete center, knows I’m very passionate about animals and what I study,” Bucher said. “I spent a lot of time there, so anybody who knows me has listened to me rant and info dump about something I learned in class that day.”

Day one of the event involved several guest speakers. Student-athletes gained insight into the Western Family Farm, a Black-owned heritage farm with 160 years of landownership in Iowa. They also learned about Route 1, an organization that helps clients navigate the path toward a profitable farming enterprise while reducing the racial hunger divide in the U.S.

“If you have any interest in the agricultural sector, whether it be from an economic standpoint, veterinarian standpoint or just generally farming, it was an experience that introduced student-athletes into that world,” Bucher said. At the same time, it shows that just because you don't look like the people currently overtaking that sector doesn't mean there isn't a place for you.”  

On the second day of the event, attendees visited Kroul Farms. The farm is built on 600 acres and features various crops. It has roughly 100 beef-producing cows, 5,000 pumpkins, five greenhouses and even a farm store. 

The visit incorporated hands-on experience, where student-athletes rotated between various stations and games. There was a station for produce; bees, chickens and small animals; timber and land management; farm equipment; the business of farming; beef cattle; and flowers and its farm store. 

“I think it was good for the student-athletes because it allowed them to network with other students across the Big Ten,” Taylor said. “It also helps when it comes to picking your major and finding what you’re interested in.”