Our 2015 Junior Farm Crew members were asked a few questions about their experiences thus far, and here’s what they had to say…
Meet Michael
What’s your favorite part of JFC?
Being here with everybody; “at first, we didn’t get along but now we’re like a big family.” Harvesting is a nice and calm activity.
What have you learned?
How to harvest and use a hula hoe. “I’ve tasted many new things.”
How do you see yourself being a good food leader?
“I know I’m doing and if I work hard, people will follow my lead and work hard too.”
Final comments:
“It’s been a fun time, and I’ve enjoyed it so far and hope it goes on like this for the rest of the summer.”
Meet Seanyea
What’s your favorite part of JFC?
Teamwork/working together; harvesting
What have you learned?
“I learned about weeds, Bermuda, about growing things naturally from the ground…” Where food comes from, has been inspired to cook
How do you see yourself being a good food leader?
I see myself being a good food leader by passing on the message and telling people about the farmers market.
Final comments:
“It’s been a great experience!”
Meet Cameron
What’s your favorite part of JFC?
Working hard, tearing down the old barn, teamwork
What have you learned?
How to farm, how to grow my own food in a healthy way
How do you see yourself being a good food leader?
I want to be a farmer and a chef and grow my own food to be used in my restaurant.
Final comments:
“I’ve met a lot of new people, and we’re like a big family; we all stick up for each other.”
Meet Christopher
What’s your favorite part of JFC?
The people here, how they grow organic food; harvesting green beans
What have you learned?
About different varieties of vegetables; “I’m gonna be helping my uncle with his garden.”
How do you see yourself being a good food leader?
Encourage people to try new foods and spread the word about good food.
Meet Taliyah
What’s your favorite part of JFC?
It’s a lot of experience, a lot of meaning for the good food movement and how it important it is; teamwork; learning recipes you’ve never heard of before.
What have you learned?
How to pick crops; how the water cycle works and how to use the water well; that too much rain can damage crops; plant planning; compost (“it’s hot!”) how much to use.
How do you see yourself being a good food leader?
I want to open my own restaurant and either grow the food myself or get it from the farmers market; I also want to be able to cook for the homeless through my farm business.
Final comments:
“There are a lot of people here who will listen to you and help you and who want to help younger people live healthy–we’re like a family.”
Meet Deon
What’s your favorite part of JFC?
The group–it’s fun, we have good conversations and we’re close like a family; hula hoeing is my favorite activity.
What have you learned?
A lot about agriculture and that it takes hard work and patience–you have to know what you’re doing and it’s actually very modern and corporate; it’s important and can help change other people’s lives.
How do you see yourself being a good food leader?
Politically–changing laws for farmers and creating a balance between farming and making sure the farmers’ needs are met.
Final comments:
“It’s an awesome program and people should come experience agriculture and open their eyes.”
Meet Robert
What’s your favorite part of JFC?
The teamwork and that we always get all of work done; favorite activity: harvesting
What have you learned?
About different plants and vegetables that I’d never heard of before like a tomatillo.
How do you see yourself being a good food leader?
By teaching other people to eat healthier everyday
Final comments:
This has been the most fun summer crew, and I’m glad to be here.
Meet Melissa
What’s your favorite part of JFC?
Harvesting cucumbers and husk cherries
What have you learned?
There’s such a variety of vegetables that you don’t think about; all the work it takes to buy food at the store
How do you see yourself being a good food leader?
Studying nutrition and dietetics in college, joining the good food movement by spreading awareness of healthy choices and organic farming
Final comments:
We’re like a family and have grown together; we help each other, and I wasn’t expecting that it “just sorta happened.”
Meet Niyah
What’s your favorite part of JFC?
Working with my co-workers; the conversations we have; harvesting
What have you learned?
To be more productive and “that being outside isn’t that bad.”
How do you see yourself being a good food leader?
Telling people about fruits and vegetables
Final comments:
“More people [should do JFC] because we need farmers and it’s a good experience.”
Meet Danyelle
What’s your favorite part of JFC?
The Monday workshops and the lessons we learn before working
What have you learned?
How to harvest, take care of chickens, be a better leader and integrate that into a group, “I’ve got over my fear of public speaking.”
How do you see yourself being a good food leader?
By making small adjustments and sharing that information with others
Final comments:
The morning energizers are great because we’re involved with each other’s days and how they’re going.