After graduating, I worked as an inner-city elementary school teacher (kindergarten to first grade) before moving to San Francisco. I then taught in San Francisco throughout the Covid-19 shutdown. My introduction to farming began on a curious whim, when a friend of mine dragged me to her family’s farm outside of Davis. My first day was a 5am wakeup call to head out to the fields and pick Jimmy Nardello peppers. It was the first time I had ever seen food grown for harvesting, and I immediately and wholeheartedly fell in love. This year, at the Garden Park, we will be growing Jimmies as well—mostly because they are delicious, but also because they’re what drew me into my path of working with the land.
At Sonoma Ecology Center, I work alongside Steve Carara (Sonoma Garden Park Manager) in caring for the land and the people that come to the park! My days are multifaceted and sometimes whirlwinds, from dirty hands and gopher hunts with my puppy, Bea in the morning to sun-glared laptop work in the afternoon. I chat often with visitors and volunteers about the Garden Park’s offerings and needs. I also field phone calls for reservations, tours, and donations. It’s a dynamic role that keeps me physically and intellectually engaged every day.
Working at SEC perfectly merges the two fields that have defined my career path: education and farming. As Assistant Garden Manager, I’m able to share information and facilitate a space of learning for all who come to the Garden Park, while still getting dirty! We have a great crew of EnviroLeaders this semester, who have not only been a big part in preparing the Garden Park for spring growing, but also have shown much interest in learning about how to responsibly maintain a natural space as dynamic as SGP.
I hope that everyone who interacts with me at Sonoma Garden Park comes away with a better understanding of what goes on behind the (beautiful) scenes, and how appreciative I am for the community’s investment in this space. I’ve said it many times before, and will continue to, but without our volunteers, we would not have the Garden Park.
Outside of work, I spend my time reading a lot. In the sun. Real paper books (I’m happy to be a dinosaur with technology). If you have the time, I recommend you come join me in Sonoma Garden Park. It is a special gem of a community space. Just like the park itself, every person here, visitor or staff, contains quite lovely multitudes.
Do you know a young person who is curious about plants, animals, and thrives outside in nature? Explore our EnviroLeaders program for teens ages 14-18, a semester-long paid work experience facilitated by Rebecca Kelly, or Summer Camps at Sonoma Garden Park for ages 6-11, offered June-July.
Learn more about our programming and volunteer opportunities at Sonoma Garden Park here. From renting out garden plots, to weekly Native Plant Sales and Saturday Harvest Markets, and an interactive Children’s Play Area, SGP is a community hub that flourishes with the support of our volunteers and visitors. Support this special community space by making a donation below!