Coy's Dream of Becoming a Farmer
Hi Friends,
For years I have worked with, studied, and taught others about plants. Most
people feel passionately about something in their life; social causes, the
environment, politics, traveling, career, NASCAR. My passion is plants. I guess
you could call me a plant geek. I don't have a favorite one. I love them all
equally. Recently, I have decided to utilize my love of plants to grow
healthy food to help feed members of my community.
I am excited to announce that I have
recently been accepted as one of fifteen students to the Organic Farmer
Training Program at Michigan State University. I intend to take the knowledge and experience gained from my time spent
at the Student Organic Farm and use it as a tool to affect the change that I
hope to see locally. I want to be
involved in the growing movement in Michigan and across the country to grow
food locally, sustainably, and organically. I would like to be a bigger part of it than I
currently am by organizing and running a local Community Supported Agricultural
(CSA) farm and giving back to my community. I will provide fresh
organic produce, classes, hands-on internships, and lots of fun activities for
members of my local community to come and be a part of together.
I have wanted to find a way to combine my knowledge and experience with teaching "nature connection" based programs to kids with my love of gardening for some time now. I believe that that this program is the missing piece that I need to complete this puzzle. In order to truly be a positive force for change and give back to the community, I hope to plant seeds in the hearts and minds of our youth. I would like to have a program at the CSA that would foster stewardship by teaching older children in the community who would then use their skills to teach and mentor younger children. This type of internship would encourage a deeper connection to the land and would continue to grow as the younger children get older and become mentors themselves. I also plan to provide a food truck that would deliver the farm's excess produce to local shelters and food banks. I believe that when a community works well together it can achieve far more than what an individual can achieve alone. By modeling what is possible through sustainable practices and right intentions, I hope to play a positive role in shaping the lives of those in my community.
In order to make this vision a reality I am asking for your support. Due to the fact that this is a certificate program I do not have access to financial aid. Your donations will allow me to accomplish a goal that will not only help advance me along my life path but also benefit my community.
In exchange for your contributions and out of gratitude for your support I would be happy to do any of the following for you:
· *A personal organic farming lesson
· *Show you low cost sustainable methods to get more out of your garden
· *Teach time saving tips for the busy gardener
· *Teach you how to compost easily and successfully
· *Show you how to save seeds to save money and regenerate your garden
· *Utilize my shoveling skills
:. Or let me know how I can give back and help you.
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within
you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to
change the world." - Harriet Tubman
In Gratitude,
Coy
To find out more about the Organic Farmer Training Program go to: http://www.msuorganicfarm.com/organic-farmer-training-program
