Students in Tiffin University’s Community Sociology class experienced a lesson in agriculture first-hand during a visit to Seneca Conservation District’s Proving Ground Farm on April 8.

The visit coincided with a chapter about population and sustainability, which focuses on the use and abuse of resources, agricultural output and productivity, increasing yields per acre, genetically modified crops, crop rotation, climate change, and soil erosion and degradation.

“It was a great partner tool to the textbook,” said Sharon Thibodeau, who has been an adjunct professor for about 10 years.

The Community Sociology class is a mandatory course for junior and senior Criminal Justice and Education students. It centers on how demographic data is collected, used and shared with communities.

Four Seneca Conservation District team members led the visit to Proving Ground Farm: Maria Wagner, District Technician and Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program Administrator; Clint Lease, H2Ohio Technician; Laini Gillett, Education Coordinator; and Jill Gosche, Outreach Coordinator.

During the visit, students had an opportunity to learn about Seneca Conservation District’s mission and partnerships. They learned about the history of Proving Ground Farm, met the farm’s livestock and viewed the farm’s orchard, research stations, fields, tree line and more.

“I enjoyed the atmosphere and being around farm animals,” said Tanner Alsept, a Tiffin University Educational Studies major from Bucyrus.