From Angie, an ASI student this summer . . .

A wise friend once observed that without plants, we all die. Every single meal I eat, without exception, would not have been possible without plants. So, I decided that it might be a good idea to foster some kind of a relationship with the rooted members of the Earth community. 


About 10 years ago, I participated in the Master Gardener program … then in 2006, I earned a Masters Degree in Earth Literacy from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, Ind., writing my thesis on how community gardens can contribute to food security in Indianapolis. 


But I wanted to delve deeper into the plant world. As it is, our global food supply relies primarily on a handful of grains. But to attain true community food security, shouldn’t we relearn not only the diversity of available plant foods that that our ancestors took for granted, but also how to grow them in ways that nourish the soil? 

To that end, I’m participating in Goshen College’s Agroecology Summer Intensive so that I might understand more of what my Hoosier ancestors understood, and so that I might share my learnings with others in the community.

And what better way to spend a summer learning than with six motivated and engaged college students and a great Merry Lea faculty and staff!


Photos submitted by Angie.


To learn more about the Agroecology Summer Intensive, visit the Merry Lea web site.