Vegetables Out of this World

While most of our highlighted stories come to you from around the globe this story has the potential to come to you from outer space. Scientists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology are testing technologies and systems that could have us growing vegetables in outer space soon. We encourage you to read the linked article below and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the world!

Eating your veggies, even in space

Discussion Points

• Explain why it is difficult to grow plants in outer space. 
• Why is it so important to work to provide astronauts fresh food in outer space?
• What practices and technologies are being utilized as scientists work towards growing fresh food in outer space?
• Do you think this research can improve agriculture production right here on earth as well (even if it never carries over to space)? Explain your reasoning.

Developing Agricultural Education in Kosovo

Today definitely had a focus on agricultural education and much was accomplished. We started our day by traveling to Vushtrri to visit their Agriculture High School. We received a tour of the school, enjoy refreshments prepared by the food technology students, and then had time to meet with faculty to discuss the agricultural education project we are developing between Kosovo and Iowa. Vushtrri’s excitement for this project is evident.

Following our time we returned to Prishtina for the remainder of the day. Late morning we had a meeting with the Dean and some faculty from the Agriculture Department at the University of Prishtina. We discussed successes and challenges facing their institution and the excitement of moving into a new building in the future.

The Prishtina Agriculture High School is very close to the agricultural university so we simply walked to the high school where we found students preparing our lunch in the food science lab. These students created a spectacular lunch for us along with Prishtina faculty and municipality representatives. We definitely gave the students an A+ (or a 5 in Kosovo grading). We were blown away by their talent in preparing and serving lunch.

After our delicious lunch we spent the afternoon brainstorming, analyzing, and creating the agricultural education partnership project between Kosovo and Iowa. Great plans have been made and work is to be done yet, but we are very happy how things went and are excited to move things forward!

For dinner those in education gathered for a dinner with the Kosovo Ministry of Education. As always the meal was awesome and we were treated to great conversations and fellowship. Saturday will be our final full day in Kosovo, before returning to Iowa Sunday. Saturday night will be capped off with a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister.