A Journey of Learning in Sustainable Agriculture

As we wrap up our first phase of the project, I’m humbled by the affirmation and encouragement by our client on our work, and nervous yet excited about the challenges that lie ahead. The journey so far however has been one of immense learning, unlearning, humility and personal growth.

Learning and Unlearning: Confronting Biases and Building a Sound Methodology

My team and I were excited to explore the agricultural sector, one that often flies under the radar but has such a profound impact on both people and the environment. Our enthusiasm, however, came with unconscious biases. We initially approached our research with preconceived notions about what we should evaluate, focusing on criteria that aligned with our assumptions.

Feedback from our advisor opened our eyes towards some of these biases, prompting us to reevaluate our research methodologies and make them more robust. We were fortunate to have an advisor who has extensive knowledge of this space, helping us identify the pitfalls in our research and nudging us to justify our thought processes. The idea that we might have to rethink our methodology and potentially rework large portions of our research was initially disheartening. Yet, what seemed like a setback at first became an opportunity to refine our work. We re-examined our research methodology, dug deeper into impact frameworks, and reshaped our thinking. It was a humbling experience, but also one that reaffirmed the importance of staying open to feedback and adapting. This process helped us develop a more robust approach to identifying influential agricultural organizations and identifying meaningful criteria to assess the current (and potential) impact of these organizations.

Seizing Opportunities from Conversations

Throughout this phase, one thing has stood out - every conversation has the potential to teach us something new if we’re willing to listen. A chance discussion with another team working on an agriculture related project (from an impact investing lens), opened our eyes to critical factors like soil health, which became an important criterion in our evaluation. Another highlight was the opportunity to learn from a guest lecturer with extensive experience in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) analysis. Their advice on how to select the most relevant criteria for evaluating companies and their guidance on measuring qualitative outcomes added another layer of depth to our methodology.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in your own project and perspective, but stepping outside of that bubble and seeking input from others has been one of the most impactful parts of this journey. By being receptive to others’ experiences and expertise, we were able to expand our understanding and strengthen our research, reminding me of the power of collaboration and the importance of humility. The mindfulness sessions at the beginning of the classes have been helpful with inculcating humility and it’s a lesson I’ll carry with me as we move forward, and even beyond this course.

Moving Forward with Optimism and Purpose

As I reflect on our progress, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to such meaningful work. The road ahead is challenging - questions around the robustness of the data that we collect and the standardization of evaluation criteria remain. But I’m optimistic. These challenges push us to critically assess our findings and be willing to reevaluate our approach if necessary to ensure the quality and impact of our work.

I’m excited to continue this journey and look forward to tackling these tough questions. The lessons learned - particularly around remaining open to new ideas, embracing feedback, and maintaining optimism - will guide me as I pursue a future in sustainable agriculture.