Skip to Main Content

Visionaries: Professor promotes the value of hands-on learning

From the moment you speak to Steve Hallett, professor of horticulture, you will notice something different. It isn’t just his accent. Hallett has a different perspective on and love for sustainable farming and teaching. Part of that may be his upbringing in England, which helped form his perspective.

Many instructors, Hallett said, have a bias. They believe in certain things, so that’s what they teach. Over the years, Hallett explained that he has been able to understand that he sees American agriculture differently and has embraced that as a strength.

“There are things you notice differently, depending on your background,” he said.

Because he sees things differently, Hallett has an outsider view of agricultural practices in the United States. He said that he has a systemwide, almost bigger picture, perspective. And that has informed his own teaching, which you will see in this video.

Along with his teaching style, Hallett tries to make sure Purdue students see his “world.” That involves seeing beyond just the current topic and understanding how it connects with other topics and concepts, which is not always something American agriculture emphasizes. The end goal, Hallett said, is to make change for the good. We all think differently, but Hallett enjoys the challenge of teaching students to see things differently, however it may come about.
Meet the Filmmaker/Blogger
EllaMae Reiff, student filmmaker and blogger EllaMae Reiff, student filmmaker and blogger

EllaMae Reiff, is a sophomore double majoring in agricultural communication and agribusiness: agribusiness marketing from Warsaw, Indiana. She would love to have the opportunity to write and engage with farmers in her future career.

ABOUT VISIONARIES
This blog and video are part of the Visionaries series, which highlights the work and lives of researchers in the Purdue University College of Agriculture. The content for this series is created by the students of ASEC 280 (Digital Storytelling).

See More Visionaries Stories

Explore other videos and blogs created by our student-filmmakers
Videos are also available on the Purdue Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication YouTube channel

Featured Stories

Dan Kiermaier stands in Wrigley Stadium
From the home turf to the "Friendly Confines"

Kiermaier now stands on that same field in official Cubs gear. It's a regular Tuesday in the...

Read More
Izaak working with bee hives
Cultivating the Future: Izaak Gilchrist

The spider hanging upside down from the corner of your room and the silverfish that crawled out...

Read More
Dave Case delivers a keynote speech
FNR Names Dave Case as 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources is proud to name Dave Case as its 2023 FNR Lifetime...

Read More
Purdue College of Agriculture.
Student draws welcomed attention to Agronomy department through social media

Ruby Slentz was featured in a Purdue Agronomy promotional video released this month, gaining very...

Read More
Maya Fulton stands against the Continuum sculptures outside of Lynn Hall.
How an entomology student made her veterinary school dreams a reality

As a first-year student in the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine, Fulton has quickly become...

Read More
Student Matthew Haan stands with another person in front of mountains in the Philippines
Horticultural and Landscape Architecture student discusses summer research and training in the Philippines

With limited international travel experience and a student’s budget, Matthew Haan was...

Read More
To Top