I was enrolled in Mendocino College's Cooperative Work Experience program in order to receive workers' compensation. This program enables farmers to take on interns without having to pay them but while still covering themselves from being held liable in case of an accident. (Let's not get into indentured servitude here.) Part of the program involves fulfilling Learning Objectives, which I must report on at the end of term. This is what I submitted:
#1 Gain understanding of effective harvest of grains and legumes
What did I actually learn?
I learned about when to begin harvesting and how to harvest using machines and manual labor. Effective harvesting requires grains to be ripe and to have a moisture level that would enable safe storage. Harvesting can be done with a combine or by hand with scythes or otherwise sharp cutting tool. When using a combine, one must be attentive to the rate of harvest, cylinder speed, concave distance, and wind speed.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I observed and assisted in harvesting grains at our farm and our clients. I collected grain head samples at random points in a field before harvesting began. I used these heads to check if the grains easily came out of the heads, which indicated ripeness and dryness. I measured moisture levels of these sample grains to see if the grains could be safely stored. During harvest, I followed behind the combine to check whether heads were thoroughly threshed and if seeds were lost after threshing.
I talked with grain farmers about the tools they use to harvest grains. I asked about the mechanics of their equipment and read the user manuals of that equipment.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
I know when grains can be harvested and what tools are appropriate for doing so.
What difference did the completion of this objective make:
I am better able to assess when grains can be harvested and assist in adjusting settings for the combine.
#2 Learn how to clean and separate grains and legumes
What did I actually learn?
I can operate a Clipper seed cleaner and produce clean grain. I have an understanding of how a gravity table works to clean grain. I can confidently use a spiral separator to rid grains of vetch.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I observed and assisted my employer when he cleaned grain using the seed cleaner, gravity table, and spiral separator. When using the seed cleaner, at first I helped change and clean screens, align and monitor vessels for collecting materials sifted out, adjust wind speed, change feed rates, arrange augers, and empty hoppers. Eventually, I was asked to assess what screens and wind speeds were appropriate for different kinds of grains with varying degrees of "trash" mixed in.
I have not operated the gravity table, but I have assisted in feeding the gravity table and emptying the resulting materials. I understand the principles of its operation.
I have used the spiral separator by setting up the catchment systems and feeding material into it.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
I am a knowledgeable assistant and can offer well-informed opinions as to the appropriate methods and settings for cleaning grain.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
I am a more helpful assistant, needing less guidance, than I did at the start of my internship.
#3 Learn how to mill grains
What did I actually learn?
I learned how to safely and effectively mill whole grain that maintains the nutritious value of the grains.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I read books on the history of milling and talked with millers about how they mill. I talked with bakers and our clients to gain an understanding what qualities they look for in grains.
I regularly milled our grains and that of our clients. I ensured that the feed rate and stone spacing were set to produce flour at an appropriate temperature (below 112F) and fineness.
I observed the cleaning of the mill in order to see the inner mechanics of our stone mill.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
I can finely mill grains without degrading their nutrition value.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
I am the principle miller and can be relied upon to meet our customer needs for flour.
#4 Learn how to package and distribute grains and legumes for customers
What did I actually learn?
I packaged and distributed two sets of double shares and forty-six custom bulk orders.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I followed the directions my employer gave me for choosing packaging appropriate to the quantity and type of product. I observed and applied the packaging techniques demonstrated by my employer. I continued to follow those instructions and occasionally asked my employer to review my work. My employer and I loaded the products for distribution such that I learned the best ways of positioning and stabilizing the products for secure transport.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
I am able to efficiently and effectively package and distribute grains and legumes for safe transport and storage.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
The completion of this objective allows me to be the main person in charge of packaging grains and have greater responsibility in this operation.
#5 Enhance utility of website
What did I actually learn?
I improved the usefulness of the website by consulting with clients, web designers, and my employer and integrating their suggestions into a new website.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I coordinated several meetings with my employer, a web designer, and myself to come up with content and design elements of the website. I contacted our customers to ask what they would like to see on the website. Other CSA websites helped inform what information is typically displayed on farm websites that operate similarly to ours. I created design and content templates, shared them with my employer and the web designer for review, and finalized the layout of the website. I illustrated images for the website and wrote material for the website. I worked with a web designer to code and launch the website.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
I learned how to collaboratively create a website useful to existing and potential customers.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
I have a website that reflects my artistic and project management abilities, which I can use as a reference for potential future web-building projects.
#6 Observe how to effectively, efficiently, and safely operate a tractor, combine, grain wagon, augers, hay rake, fork lift, and straw baler
What did I actually learn?
I improved my understanding of the equipment listed in the learning objective.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I observed my employer operate the listed equipment and assisted when appropriate. If I was not participating in the use of the equipment, I asked questions about the parts and functions of those machines. I read the operation manuals and watched videos about each of them.
I have loaded and cleaned the grain wagon, set-up and run the augers, and driven the fork lift.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
The most significant improvement to my skills is getting to know the principles behind each equipment.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
Completing this objective makes me a more knowledgeable worker who is aware of the uses and dangers of equipment around them.
#7 Learn how to identify grains and legumes and their uses
What did I actually learn?
I am able to differentiate between twelve varieties of grain and three varieties of barley. I know of some of their uses and practised using them.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I went on a field survey with my employer, taking note of the grains he identified. I took photos of those grains, while in their heads, and created flash cards with the image on the front and name on the back. I would show myself the images and try to remember the name. I did the same with the grains, once they were harvested.
I researched uses for these grains, such as baking bread and making salads. I experimented with each of the grains to make various meals.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
I am able to identify several kinds of grain, which also means I have a sense of when to plant them and how to use them.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
I can make informed recommendations to our customers for how to use these various grains.
#8 Explore alternative uses for grains and/or legumes and their by-products
What did I actually learn?
I learned that grains and their by-products can be used for many purposes. The most conventional uses are straw for erosion control, chaff and seed for animal feed, and seed for replanting. I explored use of grains as pillows, flour as paste, and grains for wheat grass.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I explored alternative uses by sewing pillows, experimenting with various proportions of water and flour to make paste, and sprouted multiple varieties of grain into wheat grass to see which resulted in the most flavorful grass.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
Through this objective, I have a greater appreciation for the multiple applications of grains and ability to use grains and its associated parts.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
I am able to minimize waste by using our damaged products and by-products for alternative, useful purposes.
#1 Gain understanding of effective harvest of grains and legumes
What did I actually learn?
I learned about when to begin harvesting and how to harvest using machines and manual labor. Effective harvesting requires grains to be ripe and to have a moisture level that would enable safe storage. Harvesting can be done with a combine or by hand with scythes or otherwise sharp cutting tool. When using a combine, one must be attentive to the rate of harvest, cylinder speed, concave distance, and wind speed.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I observed and assisted in harvesting grains at our farm and our clients. I collected grain head samples at random points in a field before harvesting began. I used these heads to check if the grains easily came out of the heads, which indicated ripeness and dryness. I measured moisture levels of these sample grains to see if the grains could be safely stored. During harvest, I followed behind the combine to check whether heads were thoroughly threshed and if seeds were lost after threshing.
I talked with grain farmers about the tools they use to harvest grains. I asked about the mechanics of their equipment and read the user manuals of that equipment.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
I know when grains can be harvested and what tools are appropriate for doing so.
What difference did the completion of this objective make:
I am better able to assess when grains can be harvested and assist in adjusting settings for the combine.
#2 Learn how to clean and separate grains and legumes
What did I actually learn?
I can operate a Clipper seed cleaner and produce clean grain. I have an understanding of how a gravity table works to clean grain. I can confidently use a spiral separator to rid grains of vetch.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I observed and assisted my employer when he cleaned grain using the seed cleaner, gravity table, and spiral separator. When using the seed cleaner, at first I helped change and clean screens, align and monitor vessels for collecting materials sifted out, adjust wind speed, change feed rates, arrange augers, and empty hoppers. Eventually, I was asked to assess what screens and wind speeds were appropriate for different kinds of grains with varying degrees of "trash" mixed in.
I have not operated the gravity table, but I have assisted in feeding the gravity table and emptying the resulting materials. I understand the principles of its operation.
I have used the spiral separator by setting up the catchment systems and feeding material into it.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
I am a knowledgeable assistant and can offer well-informed opinions as to the appropriate methods and settings for cleaning grain.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
I am a more helpful assistant, needing less guidance, than I did at the start of my internship.
#3 Learn how to mill grains
What did I actually learn?
I learned how to safely and effectively mill whole grain that maintains the nutritious value of the grains.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I read books on the history of milling and talked with millers about how they mill. I talked with bakers and our clients to gain an understanding what qualities they look for in grains.
I regularly milled our grains and that of our clients. I ensured that the feed rate and stone spacing were set to produce flour at an appropriate temperature (below 112F) and fineness.
I observed the cleaning of the mill in order to see the inner mechanics of our stone mill.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
I can finely mill grains without degrading their nutrition value.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
I am the principle miller and can be relied upon to meet our customer needs for flour.
#4 Learn how to package and distribute grains and legumes for customers
What did I actually learn?
I packaged and distributed two sets of double shares and forty-six custom bulk orders.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I followed the directions my employer gave me for choosing packaging appropriate to the quantity and type of product. I observed and applied the packaging techniques demonstrated by my employer. I continued to follow those instructions and occasionally asked my employer to review my work. My employer and I loaded the products for distribution such that I learned the best ways of positioning and stabilizing the products for secure transport.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
I am able to efficiently and effectively package and distribute grains and legumes for safe transport and storage.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
The completion of this objective allows me to be the main person in charge of packaging grains and have greater responsibility in this operation.
#5 Enhance utility of website
What did I actually learn?
I improved the usefulness of the website by consulting with clients, web designers, and my employer and integrating their suggestions into a new website.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I coordinated several meetings with my employer, a web designer, and myself to come up with content and design elements of the website. I contacted our customers to ask what they would like to see on the website. Other CSA websites helped inform what information is typically displayed on farm websites that operate similarly to ours. I created design and content templates, shared them with my employer and the web designer for review, and finalized the layout of the website. I illustrated images for the website and wrote material for the website. I worked with a web designer to code and launch the website.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
I learned how to collaboratively create a website useful to existing and potential customers.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
I have a website that reflects my artistic and project management abilities, which I can use as a reference for potential future web-building projects.
#6 Observe how to effectively, efficiently, and safely operate a tractor, combine, grain wagon, augers, hay rake, fork lift, and straw baler
What did I actually learn?
I improved my understanding of the equipment listed in the learning objective.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I observed my employer operate the listed equipment and assisted when appropriate. If I was not participating in the use of the equipment, I asked questions about the parts and functions of those machines. I read the operation manuals and watched videos about each of them.
I have loaded and cleaned the grain wagon, set-up and run the augers, and driven the fork lift.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
The most significant improvement to my skills is getting to know the principles behind each equipment.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
Completing this objective makes me a more knowledgeable worker who is aware of the uses and dangers of equipment around them.
#7 Learn how to identify grains and legumes and their uses
What did I actually learn?
I am able to differentiate between twelve varieties of grain and three varieties of barley. I know of some of their uses and practised using them.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I went on a field survey with my employer, taking note of the grains he identified. I took photos of those grains, while in their heads, and created flash cards with the image on the front and name on the back. I would show myself the images and try to remember the name. I did the same with the grains, once they were harvested.
I researched uses for these grains, such as baking bread and making salads. I experimented with each of the grains to make various meals.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
I am able to identify several kinds of grain, which also means I have a sense of when to plant them and how to use them.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
I can make informed recommendations to our customers for how to use these various grains.
#8 Explore alternative uses for grains and/or legumes and their by-products
What did I actually learn?
I learned that grains and their by-products can be used for many purposes. The most conventional uses are straw for erosion control, chaff and seed for animal feed, and seed for replanting. I explored use of grains as pillows, flour as paste, and grains for wheat grass.
What specific steps did I take to complete this learning experience? What was the learning process involved?
I explored alternative uses by sewing pillows, experimenting with various proportions of water and flour to make paste, and sprouted multiple varieties of grain into wheat grass to see which resulted in the most flavorful grass.
What was the most significant improvement in my skills or knowledge that resulted from completing this objective? What did I actually learn?
Through this objective, I have a greater appreciation for the multiple applications of grains and ability to use grains and its associated parts.
What difference did the completion of this objective make?
I am able to minimize waste by using our damaged products and by-products for alternative, useful purposes.
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