Thinking Farms

DEDICATED TO ALLEVIATING WORLD HUNGER THROUGH TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND EDUCATION IN AGRICULTURE
Robert van der Hooning 6/6/2013

ABSTRACT World population and demographic changes require a doubling of food production by 2050 (over 2005 levels), but 70% of this increase must come from technology and innovation. The scope of this challenge requires new generations of human capital with leadership, technical and business skills as well as an understanding of Agricultures (AG) intersection with broader, societal interests. Well-funded animal rights groups promote an empathy-based framework through social cause marketing to affect consumer opinion and public policy. AGs product marketing approach has not adequately engaged young people targeted by professional marketing and education groups of PETA and HSUS with scale and effectiveness. As a result, the science, economics and ethics of agriculture are not adequately understood by the public. In February, 2013, the author proposed an educational strategy Thinking Farms focused on AGs solution to the cause of world hunger. The vision, mission and strategy for Thinking Farms are based on a teaching hospital model that offers best practice solutions, onsite/remote learning and interaction experiences based on participants abilities, preferences and age. It is supported by all area K -12 schools, FFA, faculty at Michigan State University and farmers. Thinking Farms would be a 501(c)(3) organization led by an Executive Director with four key divisions, including (1) real production farms, (2) The Midwest AG Academy, (3) The Critter Barn, and (4) Camp and Lodging facilities. DISCLAIMER This document proposes potential future collaborations between individuals, schools and organizations. The reader is cautioned not to infer the existence of any agreement, endorsement, approval or business relationship, now or in the future, involving the individuals, schools and organizations mentioned herein

THINKING FARMS
Robert van der Hooning (VDH) was hired to create a strategy and value proposition for 63 acres of land in Holland. Since December, 2012, VDH collaborated with 60+ business and civic leaders, agricultural commodity producers, area K-12 superintendents and experts in Higher Ed. In February, 2013, VDH proposed an educational strategy for the property focused on Agricultures (AG) solution to the cause of world hunger based on these considerations: Economics. World population and demographic changes require a doubling of food production by 2050 (over 2005 levels), but 70% of this increase must come from technology and innovation. This is a global, strategic challenge but not understood well by the public. Human Capital. The scope of this challenge requires new generations of human capital with leadership, technical and business skills as well as an understanding of AGs intersect ion with broader, societal interests. These skills and understanding must be facilitated by new educational delivery models. Public Opinion. Well-funded opposition groups promote an empathy-based framework through social cause marketing to affect consumer opinion and public policy. AGs product marketing approach has not engaged the 10 year old girl from Naperville educated by PETA with scale and effectiveness . As a result, the science, economics and ethics of agriculture are not adequately understood by the public. The vision, mission and strategy for Thinking Farms are based on a teaching hospital model that offers best practice solutions, onsite/remote learning and interaction experiences based on participants abilities, preferences and age. It is supported by five superintendents of K-12 schools, FFA, faculty from higher education and farmers.1 Thinking Farms would be a 501(c)(3) organization led by an Executive Director with four key divisions: 1. Real AG Production Farms provide a platform, learning lab and showcase for best practices in management, technology, science, operations, animal welfare, sustainability and environmental and resource management Commodity Groups: Egg, turkey, dairy, soy, beef, corn, fruits, floriculture, lamb, pork Innovations: vertical farming, aquaponics, precision agriculture/ data science/analytics, energy, architecture VISION
Dedicated To Alleviating World Hunger Through Technology, Innovation and Education in Agriculture

MISSION
Committed To Developing the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders through Collaborative Education, Respect for Natural Resources and Service To Others

Real production farms are the strategic foundation of Thinking Farms. They add differentiation, credibility and expand the possibilities of K-12 and college curricula. In order to fulfill its Vision and Mission, Thinking Farms must 1) integrate experiential- and project-based learning with existing priorities of K-12 schools and employers; 2) use social cause marketing to tell their story through the lens of young people that experience it; 3) provide demand-driven opportunities and learning pathways for students to achieve academic and job success. 2. Midwest AG Academy is a human capital pipeline for area K-12, community college and university partners Grades 5-12: AG content/skills; solutions in world hunger, nutrition/health, environment, animal welfare The 13th Year: a proposed Associates Degree in partnership with area high schools and GRCC; focus on animal/crop science and farm operations, but integrated with STEM, IT/computing and teamwork/leadership development to advance specific K-12 learning outcomes and college/job readiness Associate Degree: a proposed partnership with GRCC, and technology and AG finance providers. Internships, apprenticeships. Coop, night school and weekend models.

Disclaimer: this document proposes potential future collaborations between individuals, schools and organizations. The reader is cautioned not to infer the existence of any agreement, endorsement, approval or business relationship, now or in the future, involving the individuals, schools and organizations mentioned herein

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Critter Barn: community outreach and non-degree education In operation for 23 years, a non-profit educational farm providing programs with hands-on experience for families, K-12 classes and special needs/disability groups Outreach includes Kids Hope USA, The Bridge, The Rock, Boys and Girls Club (south), Ottawa County Mentoring Collaborative, Head Start, United Way, Holland/Zeeland/Hudsonville Public Schools (special education), Hamilton County Mental Health Department, Ottawa and Kent Court Community Service Programs, JAWS, Heights of Hope, AmeriCorps Camp & Lodging Summer, weekend, overnight and day camps Youth segments served: FFA, urban, special needs, K-12 excursions, religious groups Adult segments served: veterans, recreation, industry, corporate and non-profit, higher education, therapy Themes: animal care, crafts, nutrition, best practices, sustainability, resource management, technology, family farming, experimental, urban farming

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WHAT IS THE MIDWEST AG ACADEMY?*

1. AG-FOCUSED CURRICULUM FOR K-12
SOCIAL CAUSES AGs solutions for key issues that matter to young people: world hunger, nutrition, health, water resource management, jobs, environment, animal welfare, social justice, sustainability, biosecurity, community development and service AG skills in animal/crop science, business, logistics and operations Technology skills in computer programming,2 precision agriculture3 and systems Workplace skills in project management, communication, teamwork, problem-solving Life skills in personal accountability, flexibility and adaptability, ethical citizenship LEARNING SPACES Shared classroom, laboratory and in-farm learning facilities for students across school districts, adult learners and campers (not a charter school or separate public school)

CRITICAL SKILLS
LEVEL 1: K-4 LEVEL 2: 5-8 LEVEL 3: 9-12

2. EXPERIENTIAL- AND PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

HANDS-ON Explore, participate and work on animal, crop or natural resource issues through immersion experiences in real AG environments Issues-oriented exploration of contemporary issues faced by key animal/crop groups explored through math, physical science, economics and business, the arts, technology, philosophy & ethics and health. Topics include experimental vs. traditional farming methods, animal health and welfare, sustainability, public policy (e.g., enriched cage vs. traditional production systems), environmental stewardship and water management

360 VIEW

3. HIGHER EDUCATION OPTIONS EARLY CAREER MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

13TH YEAR BRIDGE PROGRAM ASSOCIATE DEGREE A track that begins in 10th grade that provides dual-enrolled classes with a community college and yields an Associates Degree with one additional year after 12 th grade A proposed two-year Associates Degree with Grand Rapids Community College

4. DISTANCE-BASED LEARNING CAPABILITIES

OFF-SITE AND BLENDED DELIVERY Provider of educational content, real-time video streaming and data access Serving high schools, community colleges and continuing education; partnerships with CISCO, IBM Precision Agriculture and other corporate/industry/investment groups

*NB: Credit to Jason Pasatta at OAISD and Dave Tebo, Superintendent, Hamilton Public Schools, for their work on the proposed AG Academy concept 2 Age-appropriate learning paths for computing and programming proficiency enhanced through AG-related projects. Visual languages include MIT Media Labs Scratch, plus Alice and Raptor; introductory sequences in Python, Objective C, C#, C++, Java and Ruby. The integration of computing programming, STEM and AG provides additional avenues for foundation support and branding beyond those only interested in AG. 3 See IBM - http://www.research.ibm.com/articles/precision_agriculture.shtml

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POTENTIAL PROPERTY LOCATIONS IN HOLLAND, MICHIGAN4 Genzink Property 63 acres 20 acre lake Several zonings Target price: $475,000 Geerlings Property 80 acres 40 acres industrial 17 acre conservation easement 40 acres planned residential Target price: $TBD Issues: M-40 traffic light work with Michigan Dept of Transportation Holland Zoning and Master Plan (application submitted)
Grand Rapids

Chicago Geerlings 80 acres Genzink 63 acres

Disclaimer: this document proposes potential future collaborations between individuals, schools and organizations. The reader is cautioned not to infer the existence of any agreement, endorsement, approval or business relationship, now or in the future, involving the individuals, schools and organizations mentioned herein

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KEY MEETINGS TO DATE

Agriculture Dave Armstrong, GreenStone FCS Jim and Dianne Byrum, Michigan Agri-Business Greg Herbruck, Herbruck Poultry (Advisory chair) Cliff Meeuwsen, Zeeland Farm Services Chad Gregory, President, United Egg Producers Joanne Ivy, President, American Egg Board Mark Oldenkamp (leads marketing/education committee of American Egg Board) George House, former MAPI Exec Director Val Vail-Shirey, MAPI Exec Director Brian Terborg, Zeeland Farm Services Jeff Russcher, Precision Pork Bob Geurink, HES Equipment/A&B Farms Pete Driesbach, former director of Kentucky FFA Leadership Training ECHO - Educational Concerns For Hunger Organization (Ft. Myers, FL) Luke Meerman, Grassfields LLC Dan Mannes, Campbell Group Higher Education Dr. Randy Showerman, MSU5 Institute of Agricultural Technology David Wyrick, MSU Outreach Specialist, Michigan FFA Executive Secretary Dr. Janice Swanson, MSU Animal Science (Chair) Dr. Adam Katrovich, MSU Extension Ottawa County Dr. Jeff Elsworth, MSU School of Hospitality Dan Clark, Dean of the Lakeshore Campus and Academic Outreach, GRCC Dr. Virgil Gulker, Hope College, Center for Leadership Dr. Richard Ehrhardt, MSU Animal Science Dr. Richard Ray, Provost, Hope College Tom Bylsma, CFO, Hope College Dr. Hongwei Xin, Director, Egg Ind Center, ISU K-12 Education Brian Davis, Superintendent, Holland Cal DeKuiper, Superintendent, Zeeland Glen Vos, Superintendent, Holland Christian Dave Tebo, Superintendent, Hamilton Rolfe Timmermann, Superintendent, Saugatuck Tom Martin, Superintendent, West Ottawa Dave Searles, Director, CTC/OAISD Cameron Buck, Curriculum Director, CTC/OAISD Jason Pasatta, Development Director, CTC/OAISD Kyle Dannenberg, Career & Work Based Learning Specialist, CTC/OAISD Tony McCaul, Environmental and Agriculture Sciences Instructor, CTC/OAISD Other Business/Community Leaders James Smits, CEO, Interface H20 Gordon Stannis, CEO, Twisthink Greg Holcomb, Riverview Group Jim Schoettle, Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce Sally Cummins, VP of Food, Nutrition & Agriculture, Edelman Company Mary Westrate Wayne Wood, President, Michigan Farm Bureau Scott Piggott, COO, Michigan Farm Bureau Deb Schmucker, Promotion & Education, Michigan Farm Bureau City of Holland and BPW Ryan Cotton, Holland City Manager Phil Meyer, Planning Mark Vander Ploeg, Planning David Vanderheide, City Assessor Anthony Meyaard, Appraiser-Assessor's Office Brian White, Civil Engineering, Transportation Karen Bastien, Electrical Utilities Kevin Koning, Water and Sewer

Disclaimer: this document proposes potential future collaborations between individuals, schools and organizations. The reader is cautioned not to infer the existence of any agreement, endorsement, approval or business relationship, now or in the future, involving the individuals, schools and organizations mentioned herein

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