I'm Back!





So yes, it has been over a month since I last blogged. My apologies on the delay. My excuse this time is that I've been super busy and just haven't found the time or motivation....until today. Anyways, I sit here writing this blog in the cozy breakfast nook of the house I am watching (I've become quite the house-sitter in Livingston). You might remember this house from my past blogs, it is the brand new home with the cute little goats, chickens, ducks, cat, dog, and now three cows I watched earlier this year. Yes, I'm back there and have been house-sitting all week. I'll be back and my small, little apartment tonight though : (

Here are a couple new pics of my favorite furry and feathery friends if you forget them!

 

  

  

So besides for house-sitting, I've been up to a bunch of other good things. I made a list. Here it is.....

#1. For those of you who didn't know, or just didn't read my blog post before this one. I went back to Ohio the first week of April. I had a blast seeing my family and friends and spending a lot of time with Greg. Whenever I go home it always feels like I never left and I think that's a good thing. No matter where I end up in my life Ohio is home.

#2. At work this week I collaborated with students and a super kick-ass 7th grade science teacher named Mr. Petitt to create Livingston's 1st school garden!!!! Over the winter I had high school industrial tech students build 5 raised beds with grant money I had. The beds hung out inside all winter until we could start planting. This past week it was warm, sunny, and in the 70s....perfect time to get started! The students did all the work. They moved the beds, shoveled dirt, planted the seeds.

It was wonderful to see how excited and engaged the students were. The whole process warmed my heart. Never have I felt more dignified at my job than this week.

Even more good news on the work front. The past month I was able to secure two grants for the Livingston Farm to School program! The money will help us start more gardens as well as cover any other costs from classroom activities to field trips! Yay!

#3. Last week I put a big check on my Montana bucket list. I went hunting! Spring is turkey season in Montana so I went with my supervisor, Todd and his friend Derek who is the maintenance director at the schools. We didn't get a turkey, but that's okay because I still got to shoot a gun! A Henry 22 to be exact. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Todd set up a target on a tree and I unloaded. Once I figured out how to aim I didn't do half bad. Derek and Todd even said I was a regular Annie Oakley...I'll take that!

#4. Of course I can't finish this post without talking a little basketball since it is playoff time! Of course I'm sad that the Cavs going home early again, however I am excited for the Thunder! Luckily for me, I was able to watch yesterday's Thunder game online on ESPN3 with Greg's cable info. This Thunder/Mavs series is going to be intense and of course I see the Thunder winning it, probably in 6 or 7. THUNDER UP!

Alright, I think I covered everything. Oh wait, I forgot to mention my best friend from college is getting married this July and guess who's a bridesmaid?! I'm super excited since I've never been in a wedding before. I have a feeling this is just the first of many in the next couple years!

Okay now I think I have everything covered. The next couple months should be interesting as I finish up my time in Montana. It is time to start making some decisions on what to do next. I have some job opportunities lined up, but nothing has come to fruition just yet, but I will keep you all updated when things start to happen, I promise.

Love,

Becky

School to Farm

Today was my best day of being a FoodCorps volunteer. It was today we started a series of field trips with 2nd graders to my friend Mark's farm. It's taken me weeks to coordinate these field trips and there was a couple of road blocks, but I finally got it to happen.

I stepped into the school this afternoon to be greeted by a bunch of anxious youngsters lined up, name tags on and ready to go! As we boarded the bus I had about 10 offers from little girls to sit with them which melted my heart(one of the little girls insisted on holding my hand the whole field trip). After 10 minutes on the bus we were at the farm.

The kids unloaded the bus bursting with energy. Mark and his wife Caroline, having a kindergartner of their own, quickly rounded the kids up before they took off into the fields. For the next hour Mark showed the kids each veggie growing and even allowed them to pick some veggies themselves. Let me tell you, kids that most likely never touch vegetables at home were eating broccoli and tomatoes right off the branches.



Seeing that gives me a feeling I don't know if I can explain. I guess if I'd have to call it anything it was a feeling of hope. Hope that these kids will develop life long healthy eating habits. Hope these kids will help continue the food culture that I'm dedicating my life to change. Hope these kids will grow up and never have diabetes, heart disease, and all other food related illnesses.



Today's field trip did more in changing kid's ideas about food than I've been able to do in 2 months of my Farm to School lessons in the classroom. There's such a powerful thing about knowing exactly where your food comes from. I've felt this many times and I felt so lucky to share that feeling with these kids today.

Yay for a HUGE Farm to School success! I can't wait for my other field trips this week. I'm probably more excited than the kids.



Love,
Becky