For me, the most important part of a salad is the lettuce. After all, it is the ingredient that takes up most of the dish. However, in retrospect, my knowledge of lettuce is nearly non-existent. I simply eat the lettuce and make a judgement after the fact. Additionally, I really had no knowledge of how lettuce is grown/developed or where lettuce comes from. With this said, I was very excited, albeit a bit nervous, to learn about what may be one of the most consumed foods in the world.

The lecture on lettuce — and more importantly — hydroponics was very fascinating. I had no idea that Cornell actually utilized hydroponic technology. I was also unaware of the large interest in hydroponics from undergraduate students. Fortunately, there is a course offered next semester where undergrads can learn about hydroponics and all complimentary concepts. It was great to see enthusiasm about this subject from both a PH.d student as well as an undergraduate student.

Now, I won’t just eat a salad in the local dining hall. But rather examine it and understand the story behind it. With this newfound knowledge, I will be sure to share it with my friends, family, and anyone willing to learn more!