I am Back!

Wow!  Has it really been more than a year since my last post?  Time goes by so fast; much has happened in my life since Thanksgiving 2010.  For starters, I no longer work at Hi-Rise Bread Company and made a trip to the Netherlands and Germany last spring to volunteer on small farms.  This is something I was inspired to do back in high school when I discovered the WOOFing community (World Organization of Organic Farmers).

Weeding in Veenhuizen, NE

For my trip, I decided to use HelpX, an internet volunteer community which began in England and gained popularity in Australia and New Zealand.  I found this program exceeded WOOF because they offer many different kinds of volunteer experiences.  You buy a one year membership for $25 dollars which allows you to volunteer all over the world; compared to WOOF where you pay $25 dollars per country.  The other aspect of HelpX which exceeded WOOF was their internet system which includes reviews from other volunteers; WOOF only offers a book of contacts which does not include reviews.  Any of you interested?  Check out their website.  I highly recommend traveling in this fashion.  You experience the true culture of the countries you visit and.... a SUPER cheap way to travel!

Central Square Farmers Market

Upon returning to the states I began working for Mass Farmers Markets, a nonprofit organization which  strives to help farmers, communities, and shoppers across Massachusetts improve farm viability, nutrition for low income communities, and knowledge about local and fresh produce.  I was hired as the Membership Associate for their new Consumer Membership program and spent the summer talking to shoppers, market managers, and vendors around MA farmers markets.  I also worked on Development leading their entire Harvest Appeal campaign.  Want to check out my work?  Visit our homepage where you can read the appeal and find more information about the organization and your favorite farmers markets.

I promise to make this blog a priority in 2012 so please keep following to live a healthy, local, and happy life!