2017 ASHS Annual Conference

At the University of Minnesota, more than 200 Freshman Seminars, small discussion-oriented classes designed just for first-year students, are offered each year. For five years, the Freshman Seminar HORT 1901, 10 Plants that Changed Minnesota: Growing Solutions to How the World Lives Today has been offered. Using guest lectures, field trips to historic sites, readings and individual projects, students learn an appreciation for plants and their importance in Minnesota. Students prepare individual reports on environmental issues, an online project and a book report with an environmental emphasis allowing the class to meet the U of M liberal education theme for the environment. 10 Plants That Changed Minnesota project began in 2012 with more than 500 public nominations of plants to receive this designation. A panel of experts from around the state selected the winners: alfalfa, American elm, apple, corn, purple loosestrife, soybeans, turfgrass, wheat, white pine and wild rice based on economic, environmental, cultural, historical and landscape prominence. The 10 Plants That Changed Minnesota book was published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press in March 2017 along with a 70-page 10 Plants Teacher’s Handbook of Activities that meets Minnesota middle and high school academic graduation standards. Teacher training at 12 sites in greater Minnesota for middle and high school teachers, 4H Leaders, Master Gardeners and home school teachers are scheduled throughout 2017. This project represents an idea that developed into an academic university class, along with activities for middle and high school students and teachers to address the issue of plant blindness with the objectives of increasing the awareness, appreciation, and importance of plants in our lives.