Hello New Friends!
It is my extreme pleasure to land in your active South Whidbey community as a Good Cheer Food Bank “Community Garden Leadership Apprentice.”
Six months ago, upon finishing my last job as a School Garden Supervisor in Fairbanks, AK, I scoured the internet for food bank farms, which fortunately exist in numerous towns around the country. Discovering Good Cheer left me certain that this apprenticeship is an ideal opportunity to develop my abilities growing food with and for the people.
During my first week, while working in the field outside of the Good Cheer Food Bank, joyful tears welled up in my eyes as I saw the direct connection between the seeds I am sowing and the people eating the food. Since then, the diverse contributions by the many people on South Whidbey (and beyond) to sustain Good Cheer have moved me, and proven beyond the shadow of a doubt the amazing impact of a group working together towards a goal. I hope to see you soon!
Allie
Update from Allie, January 2015
“My year in the Community Garden Leadership Training shaped my vision and prepared me for a future in agriculture, leadership and education. After the training, I took my acquired skills to the East coast, finding a job as farm manager at a Boston homeless shelter. After a great season in that position, I moved to Maine. Embracing my interest in full-time teaching, I found a job in the special education department of a local school. I was reluctant to part with the my agricultural focus, but fortunately my school has a garden. I was quickly granted the added opportunity to manage the school garden, as well as coordinate the school’s “Green Team”. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with the land and people of Whidbey Island. The CGLT gave me the confidence and experience to initiate and maintain community-building projects now and in the future.”
Grow Whidbey 