Navigating Agriculture in Iceland’s Rough Terrain

Traceson Gearhart (Senior, Agribusiness; Claypool, IN) began his summer with the “Agriculture & Natural Resources in Iceland” study abroad program through the College of Agriculture’s International Programs in Agriculture. He traveled with 15 other Boilermakers, including program leaders Dr. Christine Wilson, Senior Associate Dean & Director of the Office of Academic Programs, and Dr. Christie Sheer, Clinical Assistant Professor.

The 10-day program included volcanic landscapes, coastal fishing villages, glaciers and fertile valleys. Students were also able to experience geothermal pools, see puffin habitats and explore Icelandic rural life. Traceson’s highlights included boating the glacier lagoon at the Myrdalsjökull Glacier, hiking a mountain, seeing the beautiful waterfalls and learning about the country’s history and industrialization.

Gearhart shared, “My study abroad trip through the College of Ag expanded my eyes to the different ways agriculture, natural resources and sustainability are practiced outside of the United States. Throughout my time spent in Iceland, I learned the different ways farms can operate with limited resources while adapting to harsh environmental challenges.”

He added, “There are so many ways to innovate in ag production, and Iceland is a major example of that. I interacted with fellow students on this trip, thinking critically about how to navigate huge obstacles to efficiently produce crops, livestock and energy that are key to survival in geographically diverse terrain. The knowledge and experiences I came back with are invaluable to my understanding of agriculture globally and the opportunities that lie ahead for my future.”