Taking a break from packing my bags in preparation for Ghana, I head to an old wooden dock overlooking a pond on a West Texas ranch. I journey there alone to be alone in nature, alone with my thoughts, and to contemplate what will happen over the next few months. I feel a warm Texas […]
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Eight Shades of an AgriCorps Fellow
Although all 8 of us have the same title, we have all had our own unique experiences as AgriCorps Fellows. In the past year we have laughed, cried, been angry, happy, and every other emotion you could ever imagine. We have gone through loss with each other and experienced new life. We have grown, both […]
Continue ReadingWhat’s in a Name
I walked up to the farm that I had been working on for several months, just like I did every other Monday. I had just come back from Christmas break and was going around to check on some farmers that I had been working with. This day, however, the young man who works the farm […]
Continue ReadingIt Takes a Cutlass
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 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 ReadingThere’s No Better Time Than Right Now
My heart started to race and I could feel the excitement building inside of me as Trent McKnight spoke about AgriCorps to our internship group in Greenfield, Indiana in August of 2016. I had heard about AgriCorps when I was a sophomore at NC State University, and it sat in the back of mind for […]
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 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 […]
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