I grew up on a farm in southern New Mexico and later, in Arizona. My father has been a vegetable farmer for almost 40 years. He too grew up on a farm, as well as his father before him. When I began to take on my first real responsibilities of irrigating fields, I was around […]
Continue ReadingTag: development
Liberian Food for the American Soul
I didn’t always love Mama Liberia. And if you asked me now I would probably deny it. But there are moments I catch myself, appreciating the life I’ve curated here, and it has made the growing pains of this journey all worthwhile. Before I board the plan in exactly two months I thought it be […]
Continue ReadingA Need for Rest and Recharge
I awoke to nothing. No clucking chickens or bleating goats. No creaking cars on the rough roads. No 5am voice yelling “PROMOTION, PROMOTION!” Finally, for the first time in such a long time, there was complete peace and quiet. A gentle breeze welcomed me as the glaze over my eyes became clear. I opened my […]
Continue ReadingCall Me Ms. Frizzle
Earlier this month, The Akatakyiwa and Mt. Zion 4-H Clubs participated in an excursion to the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and Cape Coast Castle, exposing students to a variety of agricultural practices and research as well as historic sites. The day started off bright and early for the 32 students and 5 teachers with […]
Continue ReadingAkwadum 4-H LEAD Workshop
The Fellows and I were sitting at our dining table and the new year had just begun. We were all brainstorming trying to create visions for what we wanted to do in the last 6 months in our communities. Then I spoke up and said, “I want to have a LEAD (Leadership, Education, Agriculture, and […]
Continue ReadingCheater Cheater
I have four classes of Post-Secondary Professional Program students. They are taking Leadership I and Entrepreneurship I. My students fall in the age range of those affected by the 14 years of civil war and little to no education. My students were fortunate to receive a disjointed education and low quality secondary education while growing […]
Continue ReadingTrust Your Creative Genius
The Greeks believed creative brilliance was divine. The Romans believed it was a genius being within that helped one in their creative endeavors. Our best work isn’t behind us, therefore, the anxiety that I will never experience or do something as great again is moot. I have gone on adventures and thought I would never […]
Continue ReadingLesson 10: 1,227 meters, a chimpanzee’s love, and faith
March is known by people all over the world for college basketball. For me, March has always been rooted in academic madness. To my surprise, this year has been no different. Now that Easter break has begun, I finally get to reflect on the gifts March has given to me. After the school semester started […]
Continue ReadingFinding Light in the Dark
The grass rustled in the breeze as I weaved my way through the bushes, carefully watching for snakes. The sun had gone down 45 minutes ago, but already the moonlight was bright enough to illuminate the narrow path before me. I walked up the small hill and the silhouette of the school came into focus […]
Continue ReadingWhen I’m with MOFA All I Get are Wild Thoughts
One aspect of being an AgriCorps Fellow is to work as an extension agent with local farmers and with Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) extension agents in our surrounding areas. Because of my role as an extension agent, I have had the pleasure of working with one particularly spunky MOFA agent named Victor Mensah. […]
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