Summer Bridge Spotlight: Dale Mize
Meet Dale Mize, one of five participants selected for the 2024 Summer Bridge program. A PhD student in History, Dale worked with The Land Connection.
How have you applied your humanistic training to advance the mission of the community organization?
The Land Connection trains farmers in resilient, restorative farming techniques; informs the public about the sources of our food and why that matters; and works to protect and enhance farmland so that we, and generations to come, will have clean air and water, fertile soil, and healthy, delicious food. In many ways their work mirrors my studies as an environmental historian, especially since I tend to focus on agricultural production and food systems in my own research. This connection between our work allowed me to understand the work The Land Connection has been doing on a deeper level, and truly establish connections with agriculturalists in the area. My training in oral history techniques has allowed me to explore these new connections through interviews, and learn more about local food systems in central Illinois as well as the people who make it possible. As an experienced writer, my training allows me to disseminate these stories into short blog posts that highlight local farms and the work they are doing to make agriculture sustainable. These stories also encourage the breakdown of biases by illuminating diverse ideas and foods that are not mainstream in the United States currently. By sharing these stories on various media platforms, it is our hope that someone, somewhere, will see the amazing work people are doing and feel inspired enough to consider making the changes necessary to become a sustainable or organic farm themselves.
How has this experience contributed to your career development? What skills have you gained or developed?
In terms of career development, working with a community organization, has allowed me to engage with a broader audience and build a network of contacts within the local community. Networking in this way has widened my perspective and I have been thinking a lot about potential job opportunities, research collaborations, and partnerships with other organizations or individuals that exist outside of academia. This experience has also provided me with hands-on, practical experience in applying historical knowledge to real-world situations that make an impact on the local community. The nature of my internship also allowed me the ability to form and manage my own project which benefited The Land Connection and their partners, while still allowing me to gain valuable insight for my research at the University.
What have you learned from working with this community organization?
When I think about my time with The Land Connection thus far, I think that thing that sticks with me most was learning the innerworkings of non-profit organizations. Over the course of my internship, I had the opportunity to sit in on board and staff meetings to really feel the experience of working with a non-profit organization. The Land Connection is funded almost entirely through grants, some of which are for the work of the organization, and others which are for specific projects the organization is working on. A process, which appears to me as never-ending. Additionally, changing laws can affect the way an organization operates within a matter of months which means that the team must be prepared for everything, all the time. Being ready for anything implies a certain level of flexibility and a curation of your team. Based on my observations the people behind The Land Connection are incredible. They work hard, they work together, and they truly value one another. One practice that really emphasizes this point, is that the organization does regular a regular gratitude icebreaker to kick-off staff meetings, where they highlight people in the organization who have made their lives a little better that week. The human connections that are a part of The Land Connection truly make it a special organization. So, in addition to learning the innerworkings of non-profits, I think The Land Connection also taught me what a healthy work environment looks and feels like.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your Summer Bridge program experience?
The Summer Bridge Program has been a fantastic experience, and is one I won’t soon forget. I am excited to apply what I learned this summer to my own research and continue to build connections in the community. In addition, HWW ensures all interns will have worthwhile experiences by hosting professional development seminars as a part of the internship duties. I highly encourage anyone who is thinking of applying to do it.