Ashley Cao ’23
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Growing in the Garden State: Understanding Factors That Impact Food Production
I studied how environmental factors and farming philosophy affect crop health and productivity at five local New Jersey farms. I focused on the farms’ chard and zucchini crops by compiling and analyzing data gathered from harvest and sales records, weekly questionnaires, on-the-ground sensors, crop measurements and insect traps. I was able to identify diseases or infestations afflicting the crops and see their causes and consequences on a holistic level. Ultimately, what was most interesting to me was being able to see in real time the many interconnected factors that influence plant health. For example, a no-till farming philosophy encourages root stimulation and, in turn, soil nutrient exchange, which allowed plants to grow more robustly. Throughout the growing season, I was able to compile and share two summary reports with each farm, detailing the nexus of chard and zucchini health, environmental factors, and individual farming practices. This work deepened my understanding of the scientific and social factors that influence food production and agriculture; I hope to apply what I learned to future endeavors in environmental engineering.
2020
Food Systems, Water And Human Health
Rubenstein Group, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University
Daniel Rubenstein, Class of 1877 Professor of Zoology, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Gina Talt, Sustainability Project Assistant, Office of Sustainability