Introduction: Laura Castillo's academic journey at USF Patel College of Global Sustainability led
her to an internship at Fat Beet Farm in Tampa, Florida. This farm operates with a
commitment to sustainable agriculture. Their mission, "to feed people food with integrity
in a beautiful setting without destroying the land it's grown in," captures the essence
of their approach to farming and environmental stewardship.
Location(s): Fat Beet Farm (Tampa, FL)
Acheivement: Castillo's internship provided her with hands-on experience in organic farming, aquaponics
and educational outreach. Castillo practiced core sustainable practices such as composting,
weeding, and blanching. She further developed co-planting strategies to enhance biodiversity
and promote healthy plant growth. Alongside fellow intern Dylan Wilbur, Castillo contributed
to Fat Beet Farm Foundation’s educational goals by creating a video and newsletter.
Her lasting legacy at Fat Beet Farms was the proposal of an aquaponics-specific tour.
This includes a tour of the aquaponic hoop house, an interactive class with a scaled-down
aquaponic system, and a take-home sample of aquaponically grown lettuce.
Discover how the Patel College of Global Sustainability nurtures a community of bold change-makers that drive meaningful progress towards a more sustainable world. These inspiring student projects unveil the power of sustainability and highlight the revolutionary solutions created to tackle pressing environmental challenges.