Tears, Cheers, and a Deer

Yesterday started out bad....real bad for reasons I shall not say in case the wrong eyes get a hold of this blog. Let's just say I've already been down in the dumps about missing my friends and family and to add some work bullshit on top of it along with it being a certain time of the month (sorry if that's too much info for some of you) broke me down into tears. I'm not a crier, but yesterday got the best of me.

Luckily I had a farm field trip with the kiddos that day. How could I not perk up around 20 happy kids screaming with excitement over carrots, kale, cabbage, and potatoes? As always we had a great time on the farm. I got my fair share of hugs and stories from the kids, which was greatly appreciated. I must share one conversation from my little friend Kelsey that made my day...

Kelsey: "Ms. Naab do you have a boyfriend?"
Me: "No."
Kelsey: "Do you have a husband?"
Me: "No."
Kelsey: "Do you have a wife?"
Me: "No."
Kelsey: "Do you have kids?"
Me: "No Way!"
Kelsey: "Can I call you Mom?"
Me: "Just call me Ms. Naab."


My buddy Kelsey and I and some red kale

After some fun on the farm it was off to yoga to de-stress and relax (which I needed greatly). Once yoga was finished I headed off to my supervisor's house (he invited me over for dinner, I think he felt bad for the horrible morning I had). The menu that night was fresh antelope Todd had killed that weekend. With no hesitation I grabbed some antelope steak and chowed down. I can honestly say I've broken the threshold of meat being scary to me. The antelope was great. To be honest it tasted like steak.



Even though yesterday started on a bad note, it ended on a good one or a tasty one at least!

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