Rooftops to Roots

Arts & Agriculture

I was born in Atlanta, GA, and moved to Washington, DC at a young age. I chose to come to OSU because I heard Oregonians were nice (this is true!) and because my great-grandfather was president here in the 60s. Since I am already following in his footsteps studying agriculture I figured I should go to where he helped grow the program. I enjoy a multitude of artistic activities such as building miniature houses, singing, dancing, jewelry making, etc. Life is too short to focus on one interest and I am so glad I've had the chance to try so many things! I am passionate about many environmental and social issues that our world faces and I hope to make a positive impact in some of those areas. This is a big reason I got into agriculture, to try and improve our existing food system while educating others on the flaws within it. Agriculture is so unique in its ability to bring all walks of life together under the simple truth of needing food to survive. It is also a place where different aspects of humanity can congregate, such as arts, science, and even social justice. This is one aspect of farming I love and I can't wait to have a space where I can bring all these passions together.

Dirt Therapy

In high school, I worked for a rooftop farming company called UpTop Acres for three summers. Because I had lived in big cities my whole life, this was my first real hands-on experience and it really opened my eyes to the magic of agriculture. I loved that I could take the metro downtown, go to the top floor of some swanky apartment building, and spend hours weeding, picking tomatoes, and planting all while smelling the Popeyes down below start up their fryers. It was an extremely rewarding experience and showed me that agriculture can fit into many different molds. After high school, I took a gap year, partially because I didn't want to start my college career online, but also so I could do some farming! During my gap year, I used the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) program to travel to three different farms in southern Georgia, Alabama, and New Mexico. All of these experiences gave me insight into the lives of farmers and how they may differ from one another. I learned about the unique challenges that organic farmers in the southern US face, such as competition with their corporate, large-scale farm neighbors. My time on these farms showed me that I wanted to continue with agriculture, even after seeing some of the hardships these farmers went through.

TA to Full-Time Farmer

My experience farming at Oregon State has been centered around Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture (OCCUH). I learned about this magical place through the organic farming course I took with James Cassidy in the spring of my freshman year. The next spring I was able to TA for that same class which only stoked the farming fire in me. After a short time, I was able to snatch up a full-time position as an employee and a student supervisor at OCCUH under Al Shay. I have loved the projects I've gotten to do out there and I learn something valuable every day. It's a great work environment where I feel like I am trusted and treated with respect even though I don't fully know what I'm doing. Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture is a place where a lot of agriculture groups converge (Beekeeping, dry farming, the reciprocity garden, etc.) which creates a rich and meaningful environment for students and employees alike. I plan to continue working out there until I graduate and can't wait to experience all that will come at me.

Plowing Through

I struggle with anxiety and depression at times and have found that farming and spending time outside really helps which is why I am grateful for my job! I get paid to do my therapy haha! OSU agriculture does a great job of creating an accepting and progressive environment in both classroom and professional settings, but the real world is different. Many women in agriculture face discrimination and judgment in their field because of our existing social status and expectations. And women of color are discriminated against further in the farming circuit. There is a big group of women who have gone into small-scale, organic farming in recent years which gives me hope. Going forward in my agricultural career, I will continue to fight for equality and equal distribution of resources for women and people of color in farming.

Testing the Soil

If you are looking to enter any field related to agriculture, make sure you try it out first! Many people aren't prepared for the time and physical labor organic farming requires and can struggle when it comes to that. On paper, any job can look amazing but in practice, it often differs from expectations and it's important to make sure it's something you want to spend your time doing.

I believe Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture itself deserves a video! Something to capture all the great things that happen there. I meet people all the time who are surprised to find such a lovely place less than a mile from Reser Stadium. It would also be amazing if it could get more funding to OCCUH to keep it running strong to inspire future students.