Trinity Smith ’27, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Trinity Smith ’27

Major

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Project Title

Understanding the Effects of “Three Sisters” Crop Mutualisms

Minor(s): Environmental Studies

How can farmers optimize crop yield amidst growing challenges such as water shortages, pesticide resistance and a warming climate? I explored a Native American planting practice called the “Three Sisters” to answer this question and to better understand how food can be sustainably grown in New Jersey. The “Three Sisters” is a polyculture in which corn, beans and squash are planted closely to create an environment of reciprocity. I evaluated the mutualistic effects of this method across various field designs and used Arable Sensor equipment and field analysis to gather data on soil health, plant health, the ratio of beneficial to pest insect species and crop yield throughout the growing season. I then used JMP software to conduct a preliminary analysis on the differences in crop productivity, germination and insect diversity. Some intriguing aspects of this project were the critical intersections between culture, food sustainability and food sovereignty. The exploration of these intersections has sparked my passion for food systems and agriculture, which I now plan to pursue in future coursework and as a researcher for other Seed Farm projects.