By Scout Nelson
Sabrina Rosario’s journey to Europe was not just about travel; it was about building relationships and uncovering meaningful connections. As the director of Kansas Wesleyan’s Community Resilience Hub (CRH), she is focused on advancing sustainable practices and food security through hands-on training in regenerative agriculture.
Her trip was initially planned to support her husband, Dr. Leonardo Rosario, director of Kansas Wesleyan’s strings program, as he participated in a conducting masterclass with the Berlin Sinfonietta. However, it also led to unexpected opportunities.
Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, a member of the Resilience Studies Consortium alongside Kansas Wesleyan, invited Rosario to speak. She explored potential student exchange programs and engaged with faculty and students studying sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and food systems. She was inspired by Eberswalde’s commitment to sustainability and was pleased to see their interest in learning about Kansas Wesleyan’s approach to regenerative agriculture.
Rosario also discovered possibilities for students in Italy. While visiting, she connected with the Rodale Institute’s research center in Parma. Kansas Wesleyan collaborates with Rodale through the Heartland Rodale Institute Farmer Training Program (RIFT), which educates aspiring farmers in sustainable agricultural techniques. The first RIFT course will run from March to October and has already reached full capacity with a waiting list.
The research center in Parma studies sustainable food production and cosmetics. Rosario noted that there could be future opportunities for students to intern there and gain experience in European farming methods. Additionally, the Davines Group, which operates the research center, hosts the Good Farmer Award in partnership with Rodale. This award recognizes sustainable farmers with less than a decade of experience. Rosario has been invited to serve as a judge for the award ceremony in New York on Earth Day.
Her journey also had a personal significance—meeting a long-lost cousin in Italy and visiting the farm where her great-grandfather was born. This experience reinforced her belief that reconnecting with the land is essential and that fostering this connection among students and the community is a valuable mission.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
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