I Hated Board Games—So I Made One as a Thank-You Gift

When I first joined the Agroecology Lab, I knew nothing about agroecology. My background is in industrial design—product design, to be exact—so while I had a farm and some of the concepts sounded familiar, the scientific approach was completely new to me. It was both an overwhelming and exciting experience, and being the only non-scientist in the room made it even more challenging.

The lab spoke a different language—literally and figuratively. Discussions about soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services were foreign to me at first. But the people at the lab were incredibly patient. They taught me so much, answering my endless questions, helping me connect the dots between agroecology and design, and welcoming me into their world. For that, I will always be grateful.

This was the team that welcomed me when I arrived at the Agroecology Lab. From left to right: Dr. Cliff Martin, me, Nicole, Da-Young, Daniel, Aroldo, and Gabriel. This photo was taken on the opening day of the Agro Eco Park, a milestone for all of us. Tamara, who took this picture, was also part of the team.

The Agroecology Lab was always changing, with people coming and going from all over the world. This was our Christmas party, a celebration of the friendships we built along the way. From left to right: Tamara, Alam, me, Da-Young, Dr. Cliff Martin, Kiara, and Christian.

A Gift to Say Thank You

As my time in the lab was coming to an end, I wanted to leave behind something meaningful. The lab had given me knowledge, friendships, and a new perspective on agriculture, and I wanted to give back in a way that reflected that experience. 

One thing about the lab was that they loved playing board games during Friday lunch breaks. I, on the other hand, hated it. I never grew up playing games—my parents believed they would lead to gambling—so I never developed an interest in them as an adult. But I knew how much my labmates enjoyed them, and I wanted to create something special for them. That’s how the idea for the agroecology game was born. It wasn’t just about making a fun game—it was my way of saying thank you to my mentors, colleagues, and especially to Dr. Zack Brym, who had been a great guide during my time there.

From AI Skeptic to Game Designer

One of my co-workers, Gabriel, used to talk a lot about artificial intelligence. I was initially completely against it, convinced it was unnecessary or even harmful. But after Gabriel left the lab, I became curious about the things he had shared. So I started digging into AI on my own and eventually tried ChatGPT. To my surprise, it became an invaluable tool for designing the game.

There’s no way I could have built the game by myself—at least not in the way I envisioned it. AI helped me refine ideas, organize mechanics, and create a structure that made sense. It turned out to be a really powerful assistant in the creative process, something I never expected to say.

The Game: A Brief Overview

While I don’t want to share all the details of the game (because, well, I don’t want it copied), I can give you a general idea. The agroecology game is designed to teach players about sustainable farming strategies through hands-on decision-making. But unlike traditional farming simulations, players don’t just take on the role of a farmer. Instead, they play different roles within an agricultural community—Farmer, Community Member, Volunteer, Extension Agent, Scientist, and more. Each role comes with unique responsibilities and perspectives, reinforcing that agroecology is a collective effort, not an individual one.

What makes the game unique is its emphasis on systems thinking. It’s not just about growing food; it’s about understanding the relationships between different elements in an agroecosystem. And, most importantly, it’s a team-based game. The players either win together or lose together. Collaboration is the key to success—just like in real agroecology, where working with nature, not against it, leads to resilience. Instead of competing against each other, players must work as a team, strategizing and making decisions that benefit the whole system.

More Than a Game

Ultimately, this project was more than just a game—it was a personal journey. It reflected my growth at the lab, my willingness to step into unfamiliar spaces, and my shift from being skeptical of AI to embracing it as a creative tool.

I’ll add images of the artwork and some in-progress photos here so you can see a bit of the process. The game might have started as a simple thank-you gift. Still, it became a bridge between design and agroecology, between me and my labmates, and between traditional knowledge and modern technology.

If you’ve ever had an experience where you unexpectedly learned something new, changed your perspective, or created something outside your comfort zone, I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment below!

Want to learn more about agroecology? Check out UF Agroecology at TREC for more resources and insights.

These tokens represent different agroecological elements, reminding players that every decision—big or small—affects the whole system.

The agroecology game is set up and ready to play! Players must collaborate to navigate challenges and build a resilient farm.