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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Whether turning over beds, gathering garlic or chasing chickens, there is always something to do at the Kalamazoo Nature Center's DeLano Farms. For 12 weeks, a group of interns from Western Michigan University swapped their textbooks for trowels and learned there's a whole lot more to farming than dirty work.

"The experience has been amazing and very rewarding," says Amanda Velasquez, a biology student from Quartz Hill, California. "I learned about permaculture, regenerative farming and how much DeLano Farms contributes to different families and wildlife."

As a community-supported agriculture (CSA) organization, DeLano Farms grows and supplies fresh produce to shareholders who can harvest it themselves. It also offers educational programming focused on connecting community members to nature and promoting sustainable practices. Broncos Lead interns were involved in all of it.

"While the interns may not have had specific experience in agriculture (when they first arrived), they all wanted to be there and learn from us," says Mariah Armstrong, BA '19, farm manager and volunteer coordinator. "They learned and understood the methods that we use so that they could then share that information with our CSA members, other students, children and adults who visit DeLano."

Part of that education involved regenerative farming, a practice that aims to increase biodiversity in soil by limiting tilling and allowing the ecosystem under the surface to thrive. It's the reason several Broncos, including Joe Grohoswki, a biology student from Canton, Michigan, applied for the internship in the first place.

"My favorite part of the internship was seeing firsthand the things I've learned in class, such as the morphology of some of the plants and how they fix certain nutrients in the soil," he says. 

Gracey Henckel, a freshwater science and sustainability student from River, Michigan, lists witnessing the growing process as one of her favorite experiences.

"This internship has opened my eyes to farming and agriculture," she says. "I have been introduced to so many new things and have learned a lot. … I can use the information I have gained from this internship and put it toward my career."

Interns also had the opportunity to visit Kellogg Biological Research Center, which practices rotational grazing among its livestock—another aspect of regenerative agriculture. The ability to observe and work with a number of animals during her internship had a huge impact on Velasquez's career path.

"I was not looking forward to the large animal aspect of veterinary school, but my perspective has completely changed after working at DeLano Farms," she says. "I feel more confident about being outdoors and being in nature."

Basia Dangremond, an environment and sustainability studies student from Allegan, Michigan, also feels more confident in her career choice. Before the experience, she was unsure if she'd really be comfortable in a job where she worked out in the elements all day. "This internship makes me want to explore more options in the field, because I really enjoy the satisfaction from a hard day's work outside."

Supported by Broncos Lead, DeLano Farms was able to pay the interns for their work—something it doesn't have the means to do in a typical year. 

"The Broncos Lead Internship Program financially supporting the DeLano Farms interns not only helps us have a successful season but, more importantly, it aids in getting young folks excited about agriculture," says Kirsten Clemente, farm director. "I hope that they continue seeking ways to be in nature. I hope that they find ways to support local farmers for a lifetime."

Farm leaders hope to continue their relationship with Broncos Lead in the future and open up the experience to even more students. The partnership is as transformative for the farm itself as it is for the interns.

"On my first day we transplanted peas into the ground and got to watch them grow, then produce peas and even watched as they wilted and then pulled them from the ground," says Amelia Dowswell, a freshwater science and sustainability student from Canton, Michigan. "Seeing a plant go through the full life cycle and even watching people walk away with the peas that we grew was very impactful and I think represents, for me, the growth that I went through at this internship."