The Groundbreakers

Our Groundbreakers Team has created this webpage as a resource for other youth to learn more about the world of Conservation and Soil Science. Read their blog and feel free to drop questions in the comments!

Youth Leadership for Conservation and Ag Soil Internship

In 2020, CT RC&D was awarded a National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (NARC&DC) Youth Corps Grant.

This initiative is designed to empower a new generation of youth leaders to promote on the ground conservation and to train youth leaders to produce and deliver rich public and online content to address social and environmental issues using working lands as a platform, not only to produce solutions for community development and redevelopment, but also to engage youth in conservation and environmental work to alleviate health disparities, social injustices, and juvenile crime through project based learning and character development.

Our four interns, The Groundbreakers, will gain first-hand experience in the field of soil science and conservation. Through this internship, the students will educate and inspire future generations through insights on new and emerging sustainable practices toward soil health innovation, how soil health impacts agricultural productivity, carbon sequestration, and environmental practice in land use and aquaculture.

CHECK OUT THIS MINI DOCUMENTARY ON THEIR GROUNDBREAKING WORK!

News From the Groundbreakers

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS FROM OUR INTERNS

Building Personal Skills

Personal Reflection: Ana

Personal Reflection: Kurt

Personal Reflection: Danielle

Personal Reflection: Kyle

GROUNDBREAKERS DROPPING SOIL KNOWLEDGE

Holey Moley – Moles are important!

D.I.Y. Compost

What Does Climate Change Mean in 2020?

How Do You Keep It Healthy?

What Does This “Soil” Actually Look Like Underground?

Taking Care of the Soil: I Dig It

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION AND SOIL SCIENCE

Interview: Amanda Freund

Interview: Wayne Roper

Interview: Melissa Hunt

Interview: Cynthia Rabinowitz

Ana Candelli

My name is Ana. I'm 16 and my career goal is to work in park management. A career in this field is important because it is a step closer to a greener future.

Kyle McAuliffe

My name is Kyle McAuliffe. I am a high school senior, and I am very excited to explore the field of soil science. I have a diverse background in the future of agriculture, as I am currently enrolled in the FFA chapter at my school. I love to be in the outdoors, and being in this program will be a great way for me to diversify my experiences in this field! Having a knowledge of soil science is a valuable asset for the planet, as it can be applied to almost every part of the world.

Danielle Whitcomb

My name is Danielle Whitcomb and I am 23 years old. My ultimate career goal is to work on the coast monitoring and modelling shoreline change. This includes using multiple techniques to examine sediment change, as well as bluffs and dunes I believe that a career in the earth sciences, especially soil science and conservation, is important because it brings awareness to the ever-expanding issues that our planet is facing.

Kurt McAuliffe

My name is Kurt McAuliffe. I am a senior in high school, and am looking for new opportunities to expand my knowledge in the field of environmental science. I gained my love for the environment through agricultural education at my school, where I am involved in the FFA program. I am very excited to be in this program so that I can better myself and further my knowledge in this area of study. Careers in soil science are highly important in my opinion because soil is the basis of all agricultural fields, which is a vital industry.

Want to learn more?

Drop us a line with any questions you may have!