DEPARTMENT NEWS

Maymester Study Abroad

Pyrenees Mountains: Undergrad, Katie Buckley at a cirque created by a glacier.

Steve Weller, George Van Scoyoc, and Al York recently completed a Maymester Study Abroad to Southern France and Italy between Naples and Rome. The objective of the trip was to explore the agriculture of the areas and to compare organic and conventional methods. In addition to lots of time spent in rural areas and on farms, the group spent a few days in Paris and Rome for some "cultural enlightenment.” They also spent a night in the Pyrenees Mountains. Eighteen students from six departments, including four from entomology, comprised the group.

Photo Album of the Maymester trip:

The group learned about organic farming of cereal grains, oilseed, fruits, grapes, and milk and meat animals. They ate lots of cheese including Roquefort and fresh mozzarella (only five hours from cow to cheese) from water buffalo. One of the sites in France was a cheese production facility of Perail des Cabasses, a soft cheese from sheep milk. This farm was near Verrieres, France and was just over the hilltop from St Léons du Levezou, the birthplace of famous entomologist Jean Fabre. They had a memorable visit to a Benedictine monastery that produces all organic vegetables, fruit, and water buffalo milk products, and a marvelous visit to an orchid producing facility near Naples. One of the highlights of the trip was an overnight excursion into the Pyrenees Mountains to a cirque carved by glaciation.