This summer, environmental studies major Abby Hart '09 is spending a lot of time with pests.

That's because she is working at the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Japanese Beetle Laboratory of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), observing Japanese beetles and other insect pests that prey on agricultural and ornamental plants.

In the laboratory, Abby works with a team of scientists to determine how the insects respond to different kinds of chemical compounds that could be used to protect plants.

In the field, she serves with a research team that observes at what life stage, time of day, or time of year either pesticide application or trapping is most effective against Japanese beetles and other pest species.

How does a college junior get to the point where she knows she wants to do this kind of thing?

"I grew up in a rural area of Ohio, in Amish country. I've always loved the land, and growing things," says Abby.

This passion has taken on new dimensions at Wheaton because of what she has been learning about social justice concerns. "I've become interested in learning about threats to global health and food security," she says.

Biology professor Fred Van Dyke, who directs the Environmental Studies program, encourages students to find summer internships related to their coursework.

"If it weren't for Professor Van Dyke's ideas, who knows—the summer after my freshman year, I might have looked for a waitressing job in my home town."

Instead, Abby served in a land stewardship internship at the Wilderness Center in Wilmot, Ohio, near her home town. She went to Honduras the next summer, where she worked with the Mennonite Social Action Commission to help local farmers reduce water pollution associated with coffee growing, identify new markets for their products in a nearby municipality, and employ better alternatives for clearing agricultural lands than prescribed burning.

"I loved being there and doing hands-on work. The relational, practical aspects really helped me to learn more effectively during the school year."

Through the OARDC internship, Abby is looking to further develop her research skills and gain a better understanding of plant and animal interaction. "While the primary focus is horticultural plants, there are applications to agriculture as well," she says.

For Abby, this is not purely an academic exercise. "We'll be working with drip methods of distributing pesticides instead of spraying, as this might prevent unnecessary harm to agricultural workers. I like that connection to real life, to caring for people."

She considers the relational factor just as critical during the school year. "I've learned so much through relationships with my friends and professors. They have taught me so much about the things I need to care about. The professors here are doing such interesting things in their own research and projects—things they are passionate about—and connecting what they're doing to real life. And that is motivating."