Lena Katherine Fiskness Defends Horticulture Master’s Thesis

Lena Katherine Fiskness successfully defended her horticulture master’s thesis, “Influence of Soil Type, Fertilizer, and Mulch Amendments in Containerized Polyculture”, on June 30, 2022, at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Her advisor is Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, professor and leader of the high value crop production program.

Fiskness studied a simple method of food production utilizing “The Three Sisters” (corn, beans, and squash) grown in five-gallon bucket containers to aid in food procurement and decrease food insecurity. She found that with optimum soil, fertilizer, and mulch amendments, one container can produce a single day’s worth of calories and protein for an individual in accordance with the daily values prescribed by the USDA. “Containerized food production can be a cost-effective and physically efficient means of increasing caloric and nutritional needs,” says Fiskness.

Fiskness is from Osakis, Minnesota, and has a bachelor’s degree from NDSU. She chose NDSU for her graduate degree because she wanted a graduate school that would work with her needs as a fully distance education student and also challenge her academically. “I am so very thankful for the staff and professors at NDSU for allowing me this opportunity to grow professionally and personally,” she says.

She recommends the NDSU Department of Plant Sciences to future students for the wide range of skill, knowledge, and perspectives the faculty members offer for a well-rounded education.

Fiskness’s graduate committee members were Hatterman-Valenti, Esther McGinnis, and Jack Norland.

Author: Kamie Beeson
Editor: Karen Hertsgaard