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18 the midst of Upper Michigan’s harsh climate, long rows of lettuce and herbs are thriving—indoors. Inside NMU’s Jacobetti Center, students are learning to farm the future using a high- tech “growcontainer”commercial-scale unit that brings year-round agriculture to the community. For those unfamiliar with grow containers, they are essentially a farm in a box. About the size of a freight container, it’s equipped with everything a plant needs: vertical and horizontal shelving, irrigation, lighting and climate control, fine-tuned for high-density growing. Best of all, the entire system can be monitored and adjusted remotely, even from a smartphone. Ultimately, NMU adopted the grow container to put more responsibility into students’ hands. In these systems, crops live or die based on daily care and management, teaching students not just theory but the real accountability and problem-solving skills that define modern agriculture. “Indoor agriculture is another tool in the toolbox for feeding the world. It’s not the only answer, but it’s one answer—and teaching students how to manage these systems gives them skills they’ll need in a world where resources are limited,” said professor Kari Farkas-Lasich ’10 BS, ’18 MS. From their very first semester, students in the indoor agriculture and controlled environment agriculture degree programs assemble, disassemble, clean, and troubleshoot multiple hydroponic and aquaponic systems. By the time they move into the bachelor’s program, each student is responsible for managing their own crops through an entire semester, with success or failure depending on daily care. The process is often compared to raising a child. Along the way, students can build skills that extend well beyond agriculture, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical work, and even business management. By combining innovation with sustain- ability, NMU’s grow lab offers a unique position facing the forefront of one of the world’s most pressing challenges: how to feed the future. By conserving water, recycling resources and producing crops year-round, the labs demonstrate how indoor farming can be part of the solution to global food challenges. The harvests also serve a purpose beyond the classroom. Fresh produce makes its way to NMU Dining Services, to the campus food pantry through the Hunger-Free Campus initiative, and even to the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter, where experimental crops like catnip are put to good use. These partnerships ensure that what students learn benefits both their education and the wider community. "Teaching students how to manage these systems gives them skills they’ll need in a world where resources are limited."
or decades, NMU’s Communications and Media Studies (CAMS) Department production studios have quietly shapedstudent experiences andenriched university life. While they o en operate behind the scenes, the work that comes out of these studios has reached far and wide, including millions of views online. Many alumni may remember the viral “Don’t Stop Believin’” flashmob at NMU’s 2023 commencement. What most don’t realize is that instructor Dan Zini ’15 BS, ’19 MA spent weeks in the studios recording musicians, editing and mixing the music that brought the live performance to life. Another viral hit, a moving choral performance of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” conducted by Dr. Erin Colwitz, was also born there. Students first recorded the piece in the comfortable studios, where high- quality microphones captured the choir’s rich harmonies before they braved frigid winds to film the video outdoors. But the studios are more than a backdrop for viral moments. They have supported a wide range of projects, from NMU radio ads and music albums to social media announcements, training skits for the Dean of Students, sound e ects, audiobooks and radio features for WNMU. At the same time, countless students have spent hours there, learning to record, edit and produce content as part of their coursework—skills that translate directly into careers in audio, film and digital media. Now, the studios are entering an exciting new chapter. To keep pace with industry standards, the CAMS Department has been updating both facilities and coursework. With NMU’s recent investment in state-of- the-art audio equipment, students enrolled in the new audio arts and engineering courses and certifications have access to the same tools used by professionals in the field. These upgrades mark a major step forward in preparing students for a rapidly evolving industry where high-quality audio is more essential than ever. The work may remain in the background, but with these investments, NMU’s media production studios are ready to earn a spotlight of their own, while giving Wildcats the tools to create the next unforgettable performance. Looking ahead, the department is seeking additional funding to further expand the studios’ capabilities. The goal is to ensure that every production that comes out of NMU reflects professional excellence, while continuing to provide students with the kind of hands-on, behind-the-scenes experiences that set Northern apart. “These studios were envisioned by our friend and colleague Dr. Chuck Ganzert, who passed away in 2016. People still remember him for how deeply he cared about people and his great passion for the art and science of media production, especially in creative endeavors like music,” said Mark Shevy, CAMS department head. “We’re carrying his vision into the future with the same care and great passion. We want our studios, academics, and associated activities to be widely known for excellent alumni and productions as well as deep concern for people.” N M U ' S STUDIOS: Quietly Shaping Campus Life 28
Outdoor Learning Areas: A Tranquil Learning Experience Maggie Anderson ucked behind the west side of campus, NMU’s Outdoor education, ecology and tranquility. For more than 25 years, the Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences Department has maintained the Native Plant Park. New additions such as the GeoPark and EcoPark serve as both a hands-on classroom and a thriving habitat for local wildlife. Originally established when the Woods Residence Halls were constructed, the OLA has grown into a vibrant ecosystem that reflects the natural diversity of the Upper Peninsula. Its ponds and forests filter runo and melted snow, helping keep Lake Superior clean, while also providing dens for foxes and a sanctuary for countless bird species. The Native Plant Park serves as a microcosm of the Northwoods, featuring native pines, oaks, and wildflowers that support pollinators and preserve local biodiversity. Visitors can experience the area’s rich ecological tapestry while learning about the importance of maintaining a healthy and functioning ecosystem. TLearning Area (OLA) o ers a remarkable blend of 34
Next to it, the GeoPark o ers a window into the region’s geological story. Large boulders, labeled with interpretive signs, showcase the types and ages of local rock formations. Additional signage provides plant names in Anishinaabe, English and Braille, reflecting NMU’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural diversity. One of the corners of the Outdoor Learning Area is the fire site maintained by the Center for Native American Studies. Nestled in the red pine forest near Whitman Hall, it o ers a dedicated ceremonial space, complete with benches oriented to the four directions, and a pavilion built this year by construction management students for pow wows, smudging and other traditional gatherings. It stands as a testament to NMU’s growing recognition that environmental sustainability and cultural sustainability go hand in hand. The fire site invites reflection, ritual and the honoring of Indigenous histories that are deeply tied to the land. The OLA is not just a scenic escape; it’s an active research site. Students in biology, geography and recreation management regularly conduct fieldwork here. From monitoring chickadee nesting to completing capstone projects in GeoPark gardens, NMU students gain valuable, hands-on experience that bridges classroom theory with real-world application. In 2024, the addition of a Sensory Garden further expanded the OLA’s mission. Designed to engage all five senses, the garden invites visitors to explore the sights, sounds, smells, textures and tastes of native flora. It’s a place to ease your mind, reconnect with nature and reflect. Visitors o en describe leaving the OLA with a deeper sense of peace, inspiration and appreciation for the environment around them. Through its living classrooms, NMU continues its commitment to sustainability, environmental education and community engagement, ensuring that future generations can both learn from and care for the land that surrounds them. Pollinator Overwintering Hotels are scattered thought the OLA and campus. The Center for Native American Studies holds classes and special events at their fire site. F A L L 2 0 2 5 | N O R T H E R N M A G A Z I N E 35