Evert McKee III is a senior sustainable plant and soil systems major in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture. McKee is passionate about improving ecosystems through sustainable agricultural practices. He spent last summer working on a cannabis farm in California where he acquired valuable horticulture experience and earned college credit. Here is what he said in an interview.
What attracted you to UConn?
I was attracted to UConn because of its significant agricultural history. My mom attended UConn in the 80s. Both my parents and my public school teachers led me believe that UConn was this sort of life-changing process: if you work hard enough, you can become an expert. I was attracted to UConn largely because I knew I be able to network with true experts in the field.
What is your major, and why did you choose it?
I’m a sustainable plant and soil systems major. I chose this major because I made two observations when I was in high school. One, the environmental stressors of big agriculture threaten our food security. And two, I had a feeling that cannabis would be legalized soon. The agroecological concepts I currently have in my toolbox will help me be a stronger farmer than I would have been prior to my education at UConn. I can say with confidence that I’m living my life in the pursuit of making ecosystems on Earth more habitable for all communities.
