Late Summer Abundance
It's suddenly September! Gather with friends any late afternoon here in Appalachian Ohio, and cicadas will be singing with such enthusiasm that you have to raise your voice to have a conversation. Goldenrod and ironweed provide a last bit of food for pollinators before the growing season slows, and we’re planting fall and cover crops. With gardens giving their last hoorah, summer festivals, and a new school year, August is definitely a whirlwind at CFI.
Part of August’s buzz is also welcoming our new crew! New COMCorps volunteers join the team as the new school year begins, and we ask them to hit the ground running. We're so excited to welcome this new powerhouse COMCorps trio, and are pleased to introduce Lucy Peloso, Garden Education Coordinator, and Sam Alexander, Food Access Coordinator, as our new COMCorps members. We are also thrilled to welcome Raya Abner to her THIRD year as our Community Gardens Coordinator!
Here’s a little more about these good people:
Raya recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in English, a minor in psychology, and a certificate in diversity studies. Coming to Athens from Cincinnati, she fell in love with the Athens community and food justice after an internship at United Campus Ministry. Raya is still looking to learn more about sustainable gardening and our local food system, and continues to work on becoming an "official" Athens townie. She is most passionate about books, coffee, cats, and astrology.
Sam was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, where they discovered a passion for food and serving their community. After completing an undergraduate internship with CFI, Sam graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from Ohio University in May 2022. They are passionate about building community resilience and connecting people with each other through a love of tasty, nutritious food. Outside of CFI, you can find Sam listening to public radio, playing bass guitar, and browsing at a record store.
Lucy was born and raised in Canton, Ohio. After graduating with a biology degree from John Carroll University she moved up to Bethel, Alaska to complete a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest and AmeriCorps. She served at a small, rural college supporting students through wellness, tutoring, and community building. This opportunity allowed her to learn about the importance of culture in food gathering and preparation, along with our relationships to the ecosystems around us. She is excited to be returning to Ohio with a passion for learning about sustainable food systems and living in a way that is connected to the environment and local community. Lucy enjoys reading, writing, crafts, music, and being curious about the world around her!
Please be sure to chat with them when you see them out and about!
With all the delight of a cool August morning,
The CFI team
