Calf from PROLEA 
I think this picture of this calf was not only very cute but also shows the space the calves are kept in at this co-op. I found it interesting that the designer of the space created it like a pig house so that feces would be in less direct contact with the calve. This was also the first step of many in their heifer raising faculty which was quite impressive in order to help members of the coop who do not have the resources to properly raise their heifers. 

The group in the pool in Manzanillo
This picture is the only group picture I have one my phone from the trip (even though Juanita isn’t in it!) This was my first time being to the beach, so having the experience with my new friends was one I will never forget. This picture reminds me how important everyone on this trip was for me to learn more about Mexico and the agriculture systems within it. 

Fake papel picado in Queretaro streets
When walking down the streets of Queretaro for the first time, these banners were the first thing I saw and reminded me of the Disney movie Coco that was recently released. I was told that these ones were just for decoration and made of plastic. Usually, they made of paper and commonly displayed during holidays such as Day of the Dead. 

 Troublemakers and Ricardo in Aculco
This picture needs a lot of context. Kaori has this stuffed sloth, named Ricardo, that she takes pictures withto send to her friends from Miami. Due to Kaori’s phone not working, my phone is now filled with the photos of Ricardo, making this one my favorite among the many. I also enjoyed visiting this city and seeing the many cheese stores in the white-painted town.

Cosmovitral in Toluca
This is the nicest picture I took in Mexico (besides the man also being in the picture.) Due to this visit not being fully planned, I didn’t have many expectations, but I was very impressed by the glass murals and the botanical garden inside. I enjoyed looking at all the different plant species and art on the walls. 

 This is a picture from the farm we visited during the first cooperative tour. This was the first farm that we visited that had over 100 cows and a free stall barn set up. This picture is important to me because it is their current operation, but it would also be something you can see in the Wisconsin dairy industry history of how we used to milk cows. It shows the feed areas in the front to entice the cows to go into the stall and it shows the milking machines hanging next to each one. This picture also tells me that they have become one step closer to a more efficient dairy operation. Even though it still takes them a long time to milk the cows, they are definitely more advanced than some of the other farms that we visited.

This picture will forever remind me of how beautiful Mexico can be. With the endless color of flowers and water fountains in centered in beautiful places. This picture was taken at the place we had a complimentary dinner after visiting PROAN. It was one of my most favorite days in Mexico because of the joyous time we had at dinner, talking about our day, and after dinner when we were able to play around like kids. This picture reminds me of a place where I was extremely happy and grateful for my opportunity to go to Mexico. 

 This is a picture of the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan. We took this trip on our second day in Mexico and going to the pyramids really allowed me to see the Mexican history and culture first hand. We went to the Museum of Anthropology and learned of the Mexican history, but nothing can compare to seeing it first and hand. It really allows you to believe the stories that we were told. Being able to climb to the top is also an accomplishment that I will remember. (We had to stop to catch our breath multiple times, haha!)

This was the first farm with a milking machine that we visited. It was a small-scale farm that raised their cows on pasture, but would bring them in to milk them. This machine was electric powered and two milking units. You could tell the farmer was very proud that he had a milking machine and how it has helped him to become more efficient. It was also interesting to hear that the government had helped him purchase the machine. I was able to relate this back to what I had learned in class about farmers in developing countries debating on whether or not to invest in a milking machine. Because of the governmental help, he was able to cut the cost of the machine almost in half! The original cost was 30,000 pesos. 

This picture was taken in the Mazahua Community. I liked this picture because it shows a woman who has taken what the government helped her buy, and shows how she has been able to successful grow crops and be progressive. In this community, there were people who didn’t necessarily accept the help from the government, but then you have this very hard working and passionate woman taking what she is given and making the most of it. She is working to be productive, progressive, and as profitable as she can be. She understands how important it is to be sustainable and have enough food on the table. She was inspiring to learn from and how much knowledge she had from learning by doing.