This portfolio accomplished as my capstone requirement for the MATC would not have been made possible without the expertise, collaboration, guidance, and encouragement provided by countless people. I can't possibly thank you all in this commentary, but if you've touched the Farm Sprouts community in any way over the years, please know I am grateful for what you've given.
Brad and Griffin, you've been by my side through this entire journey. I couldn't have done any of this without you and I am grateful for it and the both of you each and every day. You challenge and inspire me to be a better person in every way.
Farm Sprouts, families, and staff, we built this together. It goes to show what can happen when people come together with thoughtful, community-focused intentions, a desire to grow, and a whole lot of love. Young children are capable and you all helped to give our Farm Sprouts such meaningful opportunities to discover that about themselves through this program. I have to give special mention to Marilyn Diekman. You stuck with me through thick and thin and through it all. I am so ever grateful for your unwavering support and encouragement over the years.
Alan Jaros, you’ve served in countless roles as a part of my life these past years, from supervisor and mentor to colleague and friend. I wouldn’t be the educator or leader I am today without you. I look forward to challenging the status quo through our work together well into the future.
MSU Tollgate Farm staff and volunteers, thank you all for the amazing work you do and the many ways you’ve supported me and this work. It’s been an honor and joy to work alongside each of you. I need to give a special shout out to Roy, Ellen, Will, and Deb, whom I’ve worked with now for nearly five years, what truly feels like a lifetime in many ways. I could write pages on the countless ways you’ve inspired, challenged, supported, and encouraged me. I have every intention of staying connected to each of you, and everyone at Tollgate, both through and outside of my work as I continue on my journey.
Will Jaquinde, our collaboration illustrates a beautiful example of synergy. It is incredible what can happen when people who are aligned in vision, in our case creating stronger, healthier communities, yet who hold different areas of focus in achieving that vision, come together. Farmer + Educator = A Thriving Ecosystem
MSU Extension staff, your expertise, mentorship, and support were essential. I need to give special thanks to Chelsea Hetherington and Kylie Rymanowicz, my awesome evaluation and writing partners, Kendra Moyses, for being there at a critical time, Vivian Washington, for supporting our early childhood programs and joining me to work with Detroit-area Head Start programs, and Amy Bonomi, who came in late to this story, but who has proven to be one of my strongest and most inspiring advocates and allies.
Bloomfield Hills Schools Bowers School Farm staff, you welcomed me warmly as a part of the team in the spring of 2019. The experience of working on "special projects," including the Children's Discovery Garden initiative, has been incredibly rewarding and provided me much-needed perspective. It was a joy to observe the knowledge, humor, energy, and passion you bring to your work, which you so generously shared with me. I now have two farms to which I feel deeply connected thanks to the relationships I formed with you!
I'd also like to thank the NAAEE Natural Start Alliance, Antioch University New England (AUNE), MSU College of Education, and MSU CREATE for STEM Institute, with special thanks to Ellen Doris (AUNE Advisor), Rachel Larimore (AUNE & Samara Early Learning), Anne Stires (AUNE & Juniper Hill School), Eliza Minucci (AUNE), David Sobel (AUNE), Joanne Marciano (MSU), Scott Jarvie (MSU), Gregory Beaudine (MSU), and Angela Kolonich (CREATE) for their time and dedication and for their inspiration, guidance, and support as I've grown as a professional throughout the MATC experience, including my time as an AUNE student.
It truly takes a village. My sincerest appreciation, love, and gratitude to my family and neighbors for their incredible help and support, including last-minute pick ups from school, meal prep, snow removal, dog walks, after school and week-long care-giving, and more. To manage building what has become both my passion and career, graduate school, and motherhood without you all would have been impossible. I am deeply and forever grateful.