AI Forum Series - Lacey Anderson

About

GRO.UND Learning Gardens

The GRO.UND Learning Gardens at the University of North Dakota are designed as place-based, experiential learning environments that connect students and community members to the natural world through hands-on garden education, fostering stewardship, sustainability, and community engagement. As a graduate student working within this space, I played an active role in designing, planning, and caring for the garden alongside students and volunteers. This work included growing food, developing garden-based curriculum, and creating opportunities for community engagement through events, workshops, and field trips that invited learners of all ages into the space.

Within this context, I conducted a research study exploring the question: To what extent can a novice gardener produce an effective harvest plan by relying only on AI’s predicted harvest-ready dates generated from historical crop and climate data for Grand Forks, North Dakota when compared with observed, real-time harvest-ready dates from the garden? Using AI as a planning tool, I generated projected harvest timelines based solely on regional climate patterns and crop data, then implemented and tracked those predictions across a full growing season. This work not only evaluated the accuracy of AI-generated predictions but also served as a practical teaching tool, allowing students to engage in real-time comparison between predicted and observed outcomes.

Lacey Anderson holds a Master’s degree in Sociology and will complete her PhD in Educational Foundations and Research at the University of North Dakota in summer 2026. She brings over a decade of experience as a college sociology instructor, where she taught courses focused on social issues, culture, and community. Lacey currently serves as the new Library Director at the East Grand Forks Campbell Library, where she supports early literacy, community programming, and accessible learning opportunities for all ages. Her work centers on creating meaningful, place-based experiences that connect people to learning, community, and the natural world. Previously, Lacey worked as a Garden Fellow with the GRO.UND Learning Gardens, where she combined hands-on gardening with community education initiatives focused on sustainability and nature-based learning. This experience continues to shape her approach to education, emphasizing experiential learning, environmental stewardship, and connection to place. As a researcher, Lacey explores sustainability, nature-based education, and experiential learning, with a focus on how people develop relationships with the natural world. She is dedicated to bridging research and practice to support more connected, resilient, and sustainable communities.