Midseason Magic: 2025 EarthDance Apprentices Reflect on Growth, Community, and Purpose
It’s midseason for the 2025 EarthDance Organic Farm School Summer and Full Season apprenticeships, and farmers and apprentices alike say that this year’s team is feeling cohesive, positive, and deeply invested in the work. “We really do love each other,” Summer Apprentice Mary Reising says.
“Every group of apprentices & interns is special,” Production Manager, farmer, and educator Will Delacey says. “But this group is the most positive and energetic bunch I’ve seen. We’ll be 15 minutes from the end of a 100 degree work day, and they’ll be like, ‘Yes! Let’s get those tarps moved!’ They’re just wonderful.”
“And they ask so many good questions! They’re good at working while talking and seeing tasks to completion, and they just really lift each other up,” Harvest & Distribution Manager, farmer, and educator Jo Phillips says.
Apprentices come from all walks of life: social work, data management, sales, horticulture, theater, agriculture, and computer science. They share a passion for environmental and food justice, and they’re learning together what it takes to farm regeneratively and share food equitably.
Adara Ameer comes from a background in theater and social justice and has had internships at Ujima/George Washington Carver Farms and Forest ReLeaf. Adara is one of two Full Season Apprentices at EarthDance. While they don’t know the exact direction of their future career path, they know they want to grow food and care for the environment, including plants, microbes, and people.
“Something I’ve learned is how many things intersect and everything is really interconnected. Like, every step matters along the way. So how you put down the compost affects how it goes when you are tilthing the soil, and then how it goes when you are seeding, and beyond. I’ve always known that in the outside world, all of our struggles intertwine. Here I’ve really seen that by fixing one problem, you can solve many. It is in everything. Everything is connected in that way.”
Patrick Bridges is a Saint Louis native, a graduate of the Ferguson-Florissant School District and has a degree in business management From Jackson State University of Jackson, Mississippi. He is a Summer Apprentice, and this is his first time doing farming work. Patrick, whose family is from Mississippi, wants to return to his agricultural heritage. “That was taken from us, the joy of farming and working with the soil. Too many people of African descent associate agriculture and farming with enslavement, and it shouldn’t be like that. I want to reclaim that,” he said.
“About 5 years ago I realized how important farming is to sustaining life. It’s literally the center of everything, from planting and growing healthy fruits, vegetables, and crops for our daily needs, to maintaining animals to be able to feed our families and communities,” he says.
“How well the EarthDance team gets along and works together has been the most helpful and meaningful experience since becoming an apprentice this summer.
“On top of learning the craft of agriculture, everyone’s attitude, willingness to help, and patience while explaining new skills to apprentices makes the experience here great. In my opinion, it just makes the entire environment/atmosphere light and enjoyable – a great learning environment. Something that I learned that I know I will take with me is… everything.”
Brett Hallmeier is a full-time student majoring in agriculture and was an intern through a school program in the spring. He is currently a Summer Apprentice. He wants to work in support of biodiversity and food production, probably including mushrooms, in some sort of agroforested orcharding and vegetable farming enterprise.
“Throughout my life I have done things, whether it be school work, personal projects, or work in general as quickly as possible. I have learned through my time here that life is so much better when I’m conscious of what is happening, and I can step back and appreciate the things I have done. The thing I know I will take with me is the process of slowing down. It’s a habit I know will fade in and out, but will stay with me in my efforts.”
JoJo Henderson is a full-time horticulture student, a previous EarthDance volunteer, and a Summer Apprentice. JoJo has a passion for people, plants, genetics, and education.
“In my time at EarthDance, I have learned the value of human hands and how essential people are to my own life and wellbeing. It’s broadened my horizons as far as how big the St. Louis community is and how many people are doing great work and need/want support. It’s got me asking questions like, “Should I buy bread from Schnucks, or does someone in my area have a wonderful sourdough recipe.”
Annie Henehan is a full time student, majoring in computer science and is a farm intern this summer as a fellow with the Pershing Foundation. She hopes to eventually work in technology that supports social change.
“One thing I’m definitely taking with me from this experience is the deep sense of positive community I’ve felt here. I’ve been surrounded by people who are not only supportive of me, but also of each other – whether they’re staff or volunteers. It’s a space where folks really lift each other up and challenge one another to grow into their best selves and do their best work.
“There’s a shared purpose here. Everyone is focused on helping the farm thrive, and there’s just as much care for each plant, each beet, and every inch of soil as there is for each person. It’s a strong, grounded community – not just between people, but between people and nature. That connection really makes this place special.
“Something else that’s meant a lot to me is how validating this environment is. People are really tuned in to your efforts – your hard work, your attitude, your growth – and they name it. They see it. With such a small team, every individual matters, and you can feel that. Every bit of energy you put in is appreciated and contributes to the whole ecosystem.”
Brooke Nelson is a data coordinator with the Covering House and a Full Season Apprentice with EarthDance this year. They want to work outdoors and grow food for people in support of community-based food systems.
“Something surprising to me is that I feel like there’s an assumption that farming is a slower gig. In the past few weeks, I’ve been in awe of how quickly we witness and tend to a crop’s life cycle to then flip a row and plant another. The work is pretty consistently busy and fast – tiring but every day feels like an accomplishment.”
Mary Reising is the director of operations for a university-based prison education program and an EarthDance Summer Apprentice. This is her first farming work, and she is interested in food justice and regenerative agriculture.
“The apprenticeship has been a total nervous system reset for me. Coming from a high stress social work role, I’ve been amazed at how much ease I feel when I’m on the farm. Spending quiet time with the plants, gaining knowledge from the staff and volunteers, sharing laughter, food and stories, and working in the sun and dirt has been so healing for me in such a short amount of time. Both the people and the land at EarthDance are truly magical! It’s a gift to know them all.”
Daniel Tracy has worked in sales, is an intern through his college agriculture program, and is currently working to establish his own farm in rural Missouri.
“At EarthDance, I’ve learned the value of slowing down and really observing before reacting. Whether it’s soil, pests, harvesting, planting, or plant health, taking the time to notice what’s actually happening leads to better decisions. That approach already fits how I think, but this experience has helped me trust it more. I’ll carry that with me on my own farm.”
With four weeks left for Summer Apprentices and more months to go for the Full Season crew, their roots here are already deep. You can meet our apprentices at the Ferguson Farmers Market (Saturdays 8am-Noon) and EarthDance Pay What You Can Farm Stand (Fridays 3-6pm and Sundays 11am-3pm).
