(she/her)

Why do you choose to work at Common Threads? I love bringing the earth nourishment to our kids at school. Giving nourishment to kids through teaching about food and cooking is a life skill that they can utilize far beyond school. I also love being a part of an amazing community of people who invest in the future of our lands and our children.

Favorite vegetable: Zucchini

One fun fact about me: I have a twin brother.

(she/them)

Why do you choose to work at Common Threads? After working with Common Threads as a classroom teacher for seven years, I saw the impact that seed to table education had for students from all walks of life. Gardening and cooking lessons help kids to see that food is more than just nutrition—it’s also culture, science, and medicine. Furthermore, food is community—it’s the easiest way I know to connect with people in our past, present, and future! I love raising my own child in Whatcom County, and my goal is that all children here will feel empowered to grow and eat delicious food.

Favorite vegetable: Garlic. I double it in every recipe!

One fun fact about me: I also taught martial arts for six years!

Why do you choose to work at Common Threads? Food has been the center of community, family and friendship in my life since the very beginning. My mom proudly taught me family recipes and my best friend and I started a cookie company in fourth grade. We all thrive when we feel we belong, and I want to share that! I grew up in Bellingham, went to college in Santa Cruz, California, and have worked in El Salvador, Mexico, and India as well as several small towns in Washington and Oregon. In each of these places, I had the honor of sharing stories over meals and making friends in gardens, kitchens, forests and fields. I think food is a beautiful way to share our cultures with friends, neighbors and strangers. I worked in ecological science for a long time too, and I love gardening because we get to see ecological relationships up close and be part of them: plants, soil, critters and us. Other things I love include mountains, rivers, oceans, birds, playing music, building and fixing things, bikes, dogs, languages, bugs, and the kids who grace my life with their curiosity and goofiness.

Favorite vegetable:Varies seasonally. Snap peas, Sungold cherry tomatoes, Delicata squash, and shallots.

One fun fact about me: I built a tiny house!

(he/him)

What state did you most recently live in? I am from Colorado but I have also lived in Singapore and London.

Why are you choosing to serve as an AmeriCorps member at Common Threads? I am choosing to serve at Common Threads because of my passion for gardening and growing food and to pass that on to young minds.

Favorite vegetable: Squash. 

One fun fact about me: I used to grow salad 200 feet underground in a bomb shelter. 

(She/He/They)

What state did you most recently live in? Washington

Why are you choosing to serve as an AmeriCorps member at Common Threads? Some experiences in the last few years have shown me the importance of connecting with the land that grows our food and just how much food can build community. Common Threads allows me to share the joy of these things with young people by learning, cooking, and growing with them.

Favorite vegetable: Napa cabbage.

One fun fact about me: I like to collect sticks and make art with them!

(He/Him/His)

Why are you choosing to serve as a Response Corps member at Common Threads?I was recently a farmer and am excited to introduce students to the joys of fresh food!

(she/her/hers)

What state did you most recently live in? Vermont

Why are you choosing to serve as a Response Corps member at Common Threads? I believe that food serves as the foundation of healthy and happy lives. I am excited about sharing my passion for gardens so that more people can take part in the beauty, wonder, and fun that they offer, just as much as I am excited about learning from others about what growing and eating food means to them!

Favorite vegetable: Ketchup

One fun fact about me: Geraniums are my favorite flower.

(she/her)

What state did you most recently live in? North Carolina

Why are you choosing to serve as an AmeriCorps member at Common Threads? I majored in Environmental Education with the hopes of connecting kids to the natural world and good food through hands-on education and Common Threads is doing just that. I was drawn to Common Threads specifically because of their mission of connecting kids to food and their values of serving communities in need, nourishing the people and world around them, and to always striving to learn and do more. I am excited to serve as an AmeriCorps member; educating students about growing, cooking, and eating good food, learning from the students about their connections to food, and interacting with the local community through food education.

Favorite vegetable: Cucumber

One fun fact about me: I can ride a unicycle

(She/hers) 

What state did you most recently live in? Washington

Why are you choosing to serve as an AmeriCorps/Response Corps member at Common Threads? I have always been passionate about growing my own food and experimenting with recipes, and I am beyond excited to share that with my community. I believe everyone should have access to healthy food and experience the wonder of getting their hands in the dirt and growing something of their own!

Favorite vegetable: Potatoes!

One fun fact about me: I love baking and hope to one day open a bakery of my own.

(she/her)

What state did you most recently live in? Colorado

Why are you choosing to serve as an AmeriCorps member at Common Threads? All people deserve access to healthy food, and have the right to understand where food comes from and what good food can do for their bodies and the environment around them. After studying food systems and community health at the University of Utah, I realized just how little people know about food, and serving with Common Threads means that I can help connect and educate others about healthy food, and continue my learning as well.

Favorite vegetable: Onions

One fun fact about me: I love to scuba dive!

(she/her)

What state did you most recently live in? Washington

Why are you choosing to serve as an AmeriCorps member at Common Threads? After graduating from WWU with an environmental studies degree, I really wanted to work locally and serve my community, as I find this the best way to make direct and real change! When I found out about Common Threads, I knew my love for food, sustainability and community would be met.

Favorite vegetable: Cabbage, humble and versatile

One fun fact about me: I got into the environmental movement by attending the Climate Reality Corps convention in Los Angeles

(he/him/his)

Why do you choose to volunteer with Common Threads? What we eat and how we get it quietly dominates so many important spheres of life: health, economy, culture, ecology. Teaching kids how to make thoughtful choices about how and what to eat is a cornerstone of a thriving society. Sharing that knowledge with everyone – not just a few folks – is a game-changer.

Favorite vegetable: Onion

One fun fact about me: I used to perform vaudeville on the “Death Trail”

(he/him/his)

Why do you choose to volunteer with Common Threads? As a former AmeriCorps member with Common Threads, I’ve seen firsthand how school gardens and cooking programs positively affect students’ relationship with food. From planting tiny seeds, to tossing a rainbow salad, seed to table education brings so much joy into this world. Serving on the board seemed like a great opportunity to continue supporting an organization I believe in.

Favorite vegetable: Onions (fun to grow and essential in so many dishes!)

One fun fact about me: I make ice cream as a hobby and have made over two dozen different flavors at this point. 

Why do you choose to volunteer with Common Threads? The most valuable thing about volunteering at Common Threads is the opportunity to interact with the students.  I have been privileged growing up not having to worry about a healthy, well balanced meal, lovingly prepared, at least three times daily.  Once I left my childhood home I learned to prepare my own meals from scratch, using fresh local and seasonal ingredients.  I was fortunate enough to grow much of what our family consumed while farming organically for more than 25 years, followed by a home garden ever since.  I’m passionate about ‘giving back’ to our community, protecting the environment for future generations, and nurturing good nutrition.  What better way than teaching kids to appreciate healthy foods and engage them in growing and preparing same!

Favorite vegetable: Asian eggplant when they’re in season, or carrots

One fun fact about me: I love all self propelled outdoor activities, especially open water swimming.