I've been in college for a little more than two weeks, and
it's been an incredible learning experience thus far, particularly regarding
sustainability. I came to campus a week early to volunteer with FYSOP, First Year Student Outreach Program. I was part of the
Environmental group, a portion of freshman students who chose to spend the last week of
summer bonding and creating positive environmental change in Boston.
We spent three days working at different sites, rolling up our sleeves to make an impact. Thought I'd share!
Day One: Went to The Food Project in Lynn, MA. My group of
seven students went to this urban farm to harvest stringbeans, firebeans, weed
cabbage patches, pick tomatoes, and help out. It turned out to be a great
hands-on experience, bonding time, where we actually saw the fruits of hard
labor and got to know the workers. What’s great about the farm is that they
employ local teenagers ONLY, giving them a stress outlet, paycheck, and sense
of community. And can I tell you from gardening experience, nothing tastes
better than a hand-grown vegetable.
Firebeans: The Food Project sells these organically grown vegetables locally, and gives the excess to food pantries around MA.
The Food Project, Lynn MA.
Day Two: Went to the Massachusetts Audobon Habitat center,
where we pulled invasive species out of a meadow and did some landscaping work.
This day was vigorous but sort of uneventful.
Day Three: We walked (saving transportation energy!) to
Brighton, MA, to a greenspace beside a highway. We worked on a plot of land
that was full of weeds, and sloped at a 45 degree angle, practically, in the
hot sun for six hours. It was rough, but well worth the results; after weeding
and layering compost on the slope, it was prepped and ready for the planting
ceremony next week.
More sustainability news to come, about my job on GreenTeam,
BUenergy club, eco-friendly dining halls and eco-discussions on sustainable agriculture.
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