Grad Studies: Finnish Immigrants, Co-Operative Agriculture, and Land Ethics

PhD student Roma Lucarelli spent last summer diving into archival research for the first time. As the 2024 Immigration History Research Center (IHRC) Summer Graduate Fellow, Lucarelli received $6,000 of IHRC support to dig into the center’s archives for the research project “Finishing Minnesota: Placing Finnish Immigrants Within Agricultural-Based Movements in the 20th and 21st Centuries.” It was a pivotal experience for the graduate student. “The challenge was unlike anything I had encountered before,” says Lucarelli. “It required a new set of skills and methodology, pushing me to think more flexibly.” Lucarelli graciously answered questions via email. 

Could you describe the focus of your summer research?

I began my fellowship by browsing numerous Finnish collections. Through this process I noticed that many of the Finnish immigrants who were arriving and settling in Minnesota in the early 20th century participated in agricultural homesteading and farm co-operatives. For the Finns, co-operative mechanisms were a key aspect of homesteading, because their community of immigrants had to work together through means of subsistence farming to ensure that everyone survived the brutal Minnesota winters. At large, their homesteading lifestyle reflects a sort of co-operation or co-operative mechanisms (similar to what Aldo Leopold calls for in A Sand County Almanac), and my project looks to critically examine Finnish American land ideologies/ethics in relation to Indigenous land epistemologies, decolonial theory, immigration, and environmental justice more broadly. 

How was last summer’s archive experience?

With the help of archivists, I spent hours sifting through box after box of documents in the reading room, many of which seemed diverse in content and overwhelming in volume. I felt like I was navigating through a maze of tangential information. But, over time, I learned to stay focused, to keep digging, and to trust that a cohesive story would emerge from the compilation of details. I realized that archival research wasn’t about finding quick answers or clear narratives—it was about piecing together fragments of history and trying to uncover threads that tied them together.

This experience is now helping to shape my writing, as I approach my topics with a deeper sense of curiosity, knowing that research isn’t always linear and that sometimes the final product comes from the search itself.

Did certain professors significantly nurture the project?

When I first expressed my interest in archival research last winter, Professor Dan Philippon was incredibly encouraging. He helped me see how archives could enrich my research and inspired me to explore their potential in uncovering deeper narratives about land ethics, immigration, and agriculture.

At the Immigration History Research Center, Assistant Director Michele Waslin and Director Llana Barber were very helpful in guiding me through the archives and offering insights that allowed me to engage with the materials more confidently. I also received crucial assistance from Daniel Necas, the archivist, and Maura Coonon, the assistant archivist for Migration and Social Services Collections. They were instrumental in pulling boxes for me and recommending specific materials related to my interests. Their support in navigating the collections made a significant difference in the efficiency and direction of my research.

What have you appreciated most about your studies here at the U?

The strong sense of community among the graduate students. There’s a real sense of camaraderie among my cohort and the other graduate students throughout the English department. The English department is incredibly supportive, and the combined encouragement from both my peers and professors has created a truly exciting and collaborative work environment.

I’ve also really appreciated the various research opportunities that the U offers. These opportunities have allowed me to explore a wide range of research interests, giving me the freedom and resources to expand my academic horizons. 

What has been your favorite discovery, living in Minnesota?

I’m originally from Bedford, Michigan, a relatively rural area in Southeast Michigan with numerous Metroparks nearby. I have always enjoyed running and hiking during my free time, so when I moved to Minnesota I was excited to discover the abundance of parks and lakes accessible throughout the state. One of the things I most appreciate about living in Minneapolis is the balance it offers: you can experience the dynamic pace of the city while also finding quiet green spaces and lakes that provide a refreshing change of scenery.