A New and Familiar Landscape

Arriving to Menomonie this past Sunday afternoon, I was met by heavy storm clouds and the sweet smell of Wisconsin rain. I have lived in Minneapolis for ten years, but I grew up in Vernon County in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin. Every time I come back to this part of the state I feel like I am coming home. Having previously lived in the area, I feel fortunate to experience a space with folks who have never been to the Midwest—where we are able to learn from and with one another about the new landscape. As a group, we have already explored the area on foot, by car, tractor, boat and bike.

I have had a lot fun this past discovering the unique qualities of Menomonie’s culture and comparing them to my childhood home of Viroqua, WI, my hometown of Minneapolis, MN and my new home at the University of Vermont in Burlington. Although the physical landscape and some cultural aspects of the area are familiar, there is so much to be learned about the community and practices here in the Red Cedar River watershed. Already, I have found that there is so much to be done about the water pollution problem that the area faces that goes beyond the elimination of excess phosphorus.  

Coming into the program, I was excited and interested to hear that all of the LAKES students were women who come from places across the country. As students, we come from a variety of educational backgrounds including engineering, geology, environmental studies, human geography, economics and natural resource planning. Learning and working together in this interdisciplinary program has given me an entirely new perspective on the opportunities for research and future academic prospects. In one short week, I have learned a lot from these brilliant, kind and thoughtful women.

            Our mentors and the whole LAKES admin team have welcomed us with open arms. All of the faculty members are encouraging, helpful and show so much kindness towards us. It is a truly unique opportunity to work in a community where there is constantly an opportunity for open dialogue about the problems facing the area and the county and the ways in which we can solve the pressing issues of our time.

Driving the tractor at Dan's farm 

Pontoon ride on Lake Menomin! 

Comparing soils 

Building Cultural Capital

When I hear the word capital, I immediately think “equipment, machines, buildings, input in the production function denoted by K”. Two years of theoretical econ classes have conditioned this knee-jerk reaction from me by emphasizing such definition of capital repeatedly through lectures, readings, and problem sets. So on Monday morning when Dr. Paulson asked the eight of us what we think cultural capital means, I was totally confused and disoriented. Maybe it means an input in the “culture” function? Wait, what would a “culture” function even mean?

This fog of hopeless thoughts cleared from my mind when he began to explain that cultural capital is what we build from having positive interactions with people who have different background from ours. Cultural capital enables us to adapt to different societies more easily and, most importantly, learn from them. I could hear my econ 101 textbook yelling that no such type of capital exists, but I was completely fascinated by this refreshing concept. As I’m reflecting back on this week, the idea of cultural capital seems to perfectly describe my time here at Menomonie so far.

Before arriving at MSP airport, my anxiety was fueled by friends and family who worried about whether I could take care of myself in a small rural town because I have lived in urban southern California most of my life. I did not know what to expect since I have never been to the Midwest or heard anything much about the region. As June 17th inched closer and closer, I restlessly wondered about what the town and LAKES REU people will be like, as well as how different (and hard) everything might be.

I shouldn’t have stressed out so much because from my first week here I’ve realized that “different” is not synonymous to “difficult”.  From engaging with different people at Menomonie, I’ve not only found a strong support system but also opened myself up to learning beyond the classroom setting. Other LAKES students have been kind, humorous and open with me since day one. Having such positive relationships with them allowed me to learn so much about the different parts of U.S. they are from and their academic interests/studies (most of which are nonexistent at my college). All the mentors are very enthusiastic and welcoming to us, and group meetings with them taught me how it is becoming increasingly important to tackle lake pollution and other environmental issues with an interdisciplinary approach. On Wednesday we met Dan Prestebak, John, and other conservationists whose generosity and support for us showed through their willingness to prepare a special farm tour and dinner. Listening to them talk while strolling around the fields together, I was able to grasp a better understanding of the hurdles to developing an effective nutrient/water quality policy.

The civic and work environment here has surpassed any expectations that I could have had. Although Menomonie is different, it was not difficult for me to feel belonged because there’s such strong sense of community as well as encouragement from the entire LAKES team and the town. There is no exclusivity unlike at my college, and LA, where people are often cliquey. From this inclusive and positive environment, I have learned so much and already feel more developed as an individual than I was a week ago. I am lucky to be a part of the LAKES team and am excited to begin working with my partner Elle on our research projects!

                                          (Elle and I at Dan Prestebak's farm)

The Arrival

I love airports. I love feeling like I'm on the move-- going new places, doing big things. Just a face in a sea of people traveling towards any one of a million different destinations. Maybe it was my incredibly stable Midwestern (Go Hoosiers!) childhood that made me crave the freneticism of Anywhere Else, or the fact that in the past 5 years, I've barely spent more than two consecutive semesters in the same place. Whatever the origin, I relish the opportunity for learning and growth presented by unfamiliar spaces. So when I got the email confirming my acceptance to the LAKES REU, I was beyond thrilled to be given the opportunity to study and play for 8 weeks in Wisconsin.

 As I walked the few meters from the baggage claim to where Nels, Amber, Zayyan, and Vienna were waiting in the car, what struck me first was the humidity and the heat. This was supposed to be the North!!!! I had just left the absolute hell of Southern summers behind. Or so I thought. Apparently, as I learned later that night over delicious pizza and the company of my 7 new pals, the heat of last Sunday was a once-or-twice-a-summer event. And sure enough, the next morning included a chilly walk to class in a sweater and jeans. The hour-or-so drive from the airport to dinner was longer than I expected, but proved to be a hidden treat. With Father's Day tattoos being given in the back seat, and the openness of the landscape rolling by the window (something I hadn't even realized I missed from my childhood in Indiana. In North Carolina, you never really get an expansive view of the sky, the trees grow too thick) I got a little time to prepare myself for the dinner, and the summer, ahead; because I spent a majority of the time between finals and my departure preparing for the upcoming Fall Semester that I'll be spending abroad, the drive was a great transition to focusing my attention on this summer's work--which is super exciting and sure to be a lot of fun.

While the hour time difference proved to be a bit difficult to adjust to (I feel lame even admitting that) in this first week, getting to know the area, the mentors, and my fellow participants has been a lot of fun, and I can't wait to see where this summer takes us all. I haven't taken as many pictures as I normally might, but I'm going to sign this post off with one of my favorites so far: a shot I took while being pulled in a wagon on the back of a tractor from the 1950's driven by one of my fellow students.

The Adventure Begins

My arrival to Menomonie last Sunday felt like the last stretch in race against the dark bubbling clouds that had been sweeping the horizon for the last few hours of my drive. What I thought would be a relaxing Sunday drive turned into a classic example of unpredictable Wisconsin weather. A powerful wind pushed against me as I opened the car door and dashed inside through the torrential rain. From the first mad dash to shelter, I knew I was in for an interesting summer.

 Being a long-long Wisconsinite, I expected Menomonie to be like any other Wisconsin town. To an extent I was right, the quintessential Midwestern elements are there; there’s a Culvers, Kwik Trip, the basic essentials. However, I quickly found that Menomonie has its own unique character which manifests itself in the music that mysteriously wafts through the streets (even when they are empty), the historic buildings, the lake which carves out the city shape and the local towns-folk. I have already been enjoying the local community through visits to the Farmers Market, coop and the menagerie of local coffee shops.

 Although I am only a few hours from home, I do see some differences and similarities between the two areas. I come from a small community from the south eastern edge of the driftless region, so Menomonie’s uneven topography, mixed forests and fields of corn feel familiar. My hometown was once based in agriculture, but has since become home to a new wave of professionals who commute to the rapidly expanding city nearby. This has encouraged large developments of cookie-cutter housing. In comparison, this area of the state feels like it has been under less pressure for fast development. I have enjoyed the historic character of the downtown and campus buildings.

 The feeling of exploring a new community is amplified by being around my fellow researchers, many of whom have never been in Wisconsin before. Their observations and questions about the state add a new perspective to the familiar scenery. That perspective is what makes working in this team so exciting. We are a diverse group of eight, with backgrounds in everything from economics, geography and natural resources to engineering. We are also mentored by professors who come from distinct fields. During these first few days, I have enjoyed the group discussions immensely. It is exciting to see the potential for our range of perspectives to complement each other. Working with an inter-disciplinary team I am already learning so much about different ways of approaching problems. As the summer progresses I am eager to continue learning and to dig into research!

The Common Desire for Community

Menomonie reminds me of home, both Vernon, New Jersey and New York City, in more ways than I would have expected. I grew up in New Jersey among hiking trails, family-owned farms, and strong lake communities similar to those I’ve seen in Menomonie. However, by visiting this town and seeing it with fresh eyes, I look back at my home community with a new perspective. Driving by the family farms and open fields in New Jersey was something I have always enjoyed but never appreciated or questioned. After visiting a small, no-till cattle farm here in Menomonie, I understand for the first time how much effort goes into maintaining a farm, especially with sustainable practices, and I have gained respect for the farmers that maintain this lifestyle in Wisconsin and New Jersey. When passing by the on-going patches of corn and soybean farms in the Menomonie area, I sympathize for the farmers that rely on these commercialized crops as sometimes the only means to a profit. I feel almost grateful that my hometown in New Jersey has such rocky and hilly soils that won’t permit economically-gainful growth of these crops, or else I know they would be there too. Before becoming a part of the LAKES program, I tried to think of ways to pinpoint the sources of the lake pollution from farms. I understand now that the causes of the algae blooms on Lake Menomin are nowhere near this simple to track and that farmers alone cannot be the ones to blame or to fix the blooms on the lake.

More surprisingly for myself is how many similarities I see between Menomonie and the East Village in Manhattan, where I have lived while attending college. New York City is often called America’s “Melting Pot” and I think Menomonie takes on this identity too. As a LAKES student, I have met many people, ranging from the professors to my teammates and other members in the community involved with preservation of Lake Menomin and the watershed, who have come from many regions scattered across the county. The workers involved with the lakes who come from such a variety of backgrounds and the locals who have spent most of their lives in Menomonie are here for the same reason: they care about the lake. For whatever reason it may be, many people I have met so far have chosen to be here at this time because the algae blooms involve such a dynamic solution. I know I am continuously learning by being exposed to these minds thinking about the lake in different ways.

One final connection I make between Menomonie and New York City is the level of civic engagement. Even though the streets in Menomonie are a lot quieter than those in the City, both locations have the same farmer’s markets, play live music to enjoy on weeknights, and provide access to parks to spend a summer day. In Menomonie, these instances have been the places where I’ve seen the town come alive and in New York, my attendance at these events is what makes me feel at home. No matter what size city or town, the residents all desire the same sense of community. I believe that enhancing a sense of community within the dorm hall where I’m living, among the students and professors of the LAKES program, and within Menomonie as a home to others will help me gain the most knowledge from this research experience.

I Have a Feeling We're not in New York Anymore

Flying is pretty easy for me, because I knock out almost immediately in long trips in any moving vehicle.  So, I slept for about two and half hours of my three hour flight here on Sunday.  I kept the shade down the last half hour, except for a couple of minutes to take some in air photos for Snapchat.  I landed in the Minneapolis St. Paul Airport and the minute I stepped off the plane everything was already different.  The airport was just as confusing as JFK, but even outside the airport was different.  There was basically no traffic going onto any of the highways, and everywhere I looked people would shoot me a smile and occasionally a “Hey, how are you.”  Where I live, you would only get that in stores you walk into, and that’s just because the store owners don’t want to you walk out without paying for your purchases. 

Once we got to Menominee, it really hit me just how different the mid-west is to the east coast.  Not only in the community demeanor, but also in the scenery around us.  On the streets of New York people can walk right towards and look right through you, I’ve gotten used to avoiding eye contact while walking the streets.  But here in Menominee just about everyone I have walked towards has acknowledged me in some way; whether it be a kind hello or just a smile. 

I am pretty sure I was born without an internal compass and I am directionally challenged.  But I have tackled getting to and from Red Cedar Hall and the campus.  One of the first days we were here, we got to take a bike tour, and everything seemed so close in the moment, but if I were to have to get back there I would be lost.  A personal goal for this summer is to learn the directions to and from a different area every week without the help of Google.

      

Besides the amazing work I knew I would get to be a part of, I wanted to come out to this side of the country because I wanted to get a chance to explore a part of the world that I know I normally wouldn’t.  I wanted to leave New York for the summer and see what else was out there.  And I can tell you, I am not disappointed in the slightest.  The only things I am missing from my town in New York are my family, of course, and a sense of diversity.  I have seen a few  African Americans on the streets, in and around the UW Stout campus.  While I knew this is the mid-west and I was prepared for the fact that there may not be anyone who looked like me out here in this quaint little town, it is a culture shock for me to witness. 

Aside from this, Menominee has been extremely welcoming and lovely place to visit.  I can’t wait to see the rest of town in the weeks to come. 

Getting Started

On Sunday, we had the official start to our LAKES REU experience. I was the first to move into the dorms, which was fun because I got to meet almost everyone as they got there.  We kicked things off by getting pizza at Lucette's Woodfire Eatery, which is a place I always like to recommend to visitors, or those who are new to town. This year, our group is made up entirely of women, which I think has helped to expedite the bonding process, and I'm sure we will not want to leave by the end of the summer!

I grew up in Minnesota, and although Wisconsin is different, I still feel at home here, which is part of the reason I was so interested in the LAKES REU. Since I currently live in Menomonie and go to Stout, I did not have as much to adjust to compared to my colleagues. Since the seven others are from around the country, including places like LA, New York, and North Carolina, it has been neat to hear about their hometowns and how they compare to Menomonie, and also what drew them to this REU.

As far as settling in, I know the town pretty well, so I have been trying to show people around and tell them about the different spots I enjoy. After talking with the girls, it seems like everyone enjoys the town, which I am glad to hear because we have a great little community here. Personally, the biggest adjustement is living in a dorm again for the first time in three years, but I have really loved seeing everyone explore Menomonie for the first time. I am very comfortable with the work environment here, and it has been nice to get to be around my Professors during the summer, which I don't usually get to do.

I am excited for the summer of research ahead!