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First-rate project for second grade students led by Monmouth senior Cally Tate

by Barry McNamara

Monmouth, Ill. (06/29/2026) — Call it Cally's community capstone clearly characterizing college's culture of connection.

That would be Monmouth College student Cally Tate, who In May graduated summa cum laude with a degree in environmental studies and a minor in peace and justice studies.

Before graduating, though, Tate - who is also a graduate of Monmouth-Roseville High School - needed to complete a capstone project to earn that minor. Using her strong connection to the Monmouth College Educational Farm and Garden, where she's been a core member of its crew the past two years, Tate created a project that involved students at Monmouth's Harding Primary School.

"Cally did a brilliant community project, developing a planting module for second graders," said Monmouth anthropology professor Petra Kuppinger, who supervised the work. "She taught it to the students and helped them seed vegetables in their classroom. After a second visit to the class and some replanting, two classes of second graders came to the college garden in May and planted their seedlings. Cally planned and carried out the planting project with a teacher at Harding School who is a recent Monmouth graduate (Madyson Goodwin '24).

"It was an effort to expose children to plants, to provide knowledge about growing food and to experience learning outside of the classroom and in nature," wrote Tate in a brochure that Harding parents received. "It was also to share with them that the college has a garden and farm in the community where families can source locally grown fruits and vegetables that have not been exposed to agricultural chemicals."

Tate is a bit of an expert on the farm, as she served on its summer crew - which works there 40 hours a week - in 2024 and 2025. She essentially became the face of the farm, often speaking to groups young (schoolchildren) and old (Monmouth's Golden Scots alumni) about its operation.

"Cally is an amazing student who has done great academic work and also contributed a LOT to the farm and garden," praised Kuppinger. "She's one of our 'model' students in many regards, not least of all with her community engagement."

Two days following her graduation ceremony, Tate discussed the project in greater detail.

"I was able to teach them about growing vegetables," she said. "The kids were so excited. I'd never seen them so engaged. They were asking a million questions. I'm so happy the students got to participate in this project with me. I loved getting to know them, and I hope their families will make use of the farm and garden's opportunities in the future."

Tate said the project offered several benefits, as it was "hands-on, low cost and helped kids develop habits they can use throughout their lives. The long-term goal is to not just be a one-time thing. I hope it continues every year."

A few days later, Tate was off to start the next chapter of her life in New Mexico, where she's working for an organization that helps towns develop community gardens and grow vegetables, which is right in line with her studies at Monmouth. In addition to the hands-on work she did for the college, the accomplished swimmer also completed her Fighting Scots athletic career as the school record-holder in the 50- and 200-yard backstroke, both by a large margin.

Media Attachments

HANDS-ON LEARNING: Tate is pictured in May with some of the Harding students who participated in her capstone project.

FACE OF THE FARM: Tate is pictured in the summer of 2025 greeting a group of students who were visiting the farm.

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