On the sprawling 17-acre sustainable farm at Austin Community College District's Elgin Campus, agricultural science takes root in a real-world setting. At the heart of this hands-on learning approach is a student by the name of CJ Anderson, who reported to ACC Newsroom, "A lot of fun!" is how he describes his journey studying Sustainable Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences. CJ, who is set to complete one degree in May and the other by summer's end, is already looking to transfer to Texas State University, having earned nearly half of his Bachelor's needed credits at ACC. His drive is clear, in his words, "To be self-sustaining has been my personal goal; living off-grid would be a dream."
The ACC program stands out for its commitment to ecological farming practices which align with CJ's aspirations. Not only does the program allow students to gain a practical understanding of agriculture by physically working the land, but it also introduces financial-savvy students like CJ to affordable education pathways. He decided to enroll at ACC because "I have relatives who worked or still work for ACC and relatives who came to ACC for their degrees in the past," and because it was a "smarter choice" from a financial standpoint, he told the ACC Newsroom.
This academic environment offers hands-on experience not just with theory but with the dirt on their hands and sweat on their brows. CJ shares his favorite part about the classes, “The opportunity to do my internship with ACC’s Agriculture program has been amazingly helpful." as per ACC Newsroom. Confidence gleaned from hands-on experience is invaluable and is exactly what programs like ACC's set out to cultivate among their students.
Indeed, those considering the program are given a straightforward piece of advice from CJ: "Be prepared to get dirty some days." Prospective students should not expect to mind to walk away spotless from their educational endeavors, he emphasizes. The interns are not spared from the practicalities of farm life, dealing with everything from planting seeds to understanding the cycles of growth to raising chickens—which he admits are "a lot of fun." This sort of immersive experience is crucial, CJ believes, for those who aim to be self-sustaining and seek a career in sustainable agriculture.
As he rounds out his time at ACC, CJ reflects on his proximity to achieving his personal dream of living off-grid, citing the college as his foundation. This educational grounding seems to have provided direction and unexpected opportunities, vital to anyone looking to break ground in the agricultural field. And his footprint on the farm is not limited to his work—visit on his farm days, he says, and "you’ll know I’m there if you hear the music." His engagement and dedication are clearly setting the stage for a future where his dreams of sustainability may very well take root and grow.
