Education
North Chicago Green Youth Farm
2011 North Chicago/Waukegan GYF Participants
ERIC AVELENDAS Age: 19 School: North Chicago Community High School Favorite veggie: carrots Memorable quote: "I've learned how to communicate better with others, as well as how crop rotation works on our farm." |
Age: 16 School: Waukegan High School Favorite veggie: carrots and potatoes Memorable quote:"I like weeding because I’m very quick on my feet!" |
Age: 19 School: Waukegan High School Favorite veggies: carrots and onions Memorable quote: "Working at GYF is important because we’re helping out the community — we sell our produce at an affordable price so that the community can afford it." |
Age: 16 School: Waukegan High School Favorite veggie: broccoli Memorable quote: "I learned how bees know when you’re mad, sad, or stressed. It makes them feel like you’re trying to hurt them." |
Age: 17 School: Waukegan High School Favorite veggie: broccoli Memorable quote: "I like weeding because the beds look so clean!" |
Age: 15 School: Waukegan High School Favorite veggie: lettuce Memorable quote: "I have learned from harvesting and cooking that there are many great vegetables like Swiss chard and garlic scapes that we can integrate into our diets." |
Age: 18 School: Waukegan High School Favorite veggie: squash Memorable quote: "It is important to mix up the plants every year through crop rotation to maintain healthy soil and healthy plants." |
Age: 18 School: Waukegan High School Favorite veggie: cucumber Memorable quote: "I love working outdoors, being one with nature and taking pleasure in the small things." |
Age: 16 School: Saint Martin de Porres Memorable quote: "I’ve learned that there are plants that repel mosquitoes, like the lemon balm that we grow." |
Age: 17 School: North Chicago High School Favorite veggie: carrots Memorable quote: "I’ve learned about composting and how it is made of part green material like grass or weeds and brown materials like straw, sticks, or dry leaves." |
Age:16 School: Waukegan High School Favorite veggie: carrots Memorable quote: "Working at GYF so far I’ve learned how to harvest. I thought it would be hard, but after a while it got pretty easy." |
Age: 17 School: Lakeshore Academy Favorite Veggie: tomatoes Memorable quote: "At GYF I’ve learned how to work together with others." |
Age: 16 School: Saint Martin de Porres Favorite veggie: broccoli Memorable quote: "I have learned to be more open-minded and not be so shy. I’ve also learned that you should rotate the location of crops every year." |
Age:15 School: Waukegan High School Favorite veggie: carrots Memorable quote: "I learned that communication is the key to success. If we all communicate with each other we can accomplish anything." |
Age: 17 Waukegan High School Favorite veggie: Sungold cherry tomatoes Memorable quote: "I want to continue studying sustainable agriculture methods in college as well as continue serving as a camp leader or mentor for youth." |
Age: 16 School: North Chicago High School Favorite veggie: sweet potato Memorable quote: "I value the work that we do because it pays off later because we can see how our food gets to people that need it most." |
Age: 15 School: Waukegan High School Favorite veggie: sweet potatoes Memorable quote: "I like weeding because it is a task that we can talk to each other and get to know each other." |
Age:17 School: North Chicago Community High School Favorite veggie: carrots Memorable quote: "I’ve learned about drip irrigation and how it saves so much more water and also does a better job than just spraying water on the plants." |
Age: 17 School: Waukegan High School Favorite veggie: cucumbers Memorable quote: "At GYF I have learned that everyone is unique and different in their own way." |
Age: 17 School: Waukegan High School Favorite veggie: corn and greens Memorable quote: "At GYF I’ve learned about the harm that processed foods can do to your body." |
2011 North Chicago/Waukegan Farm Staff and volunteers
 Heidi Joynt, coordinator, is in her fourth season at Green Youth Farm. Heidi works to educate youth about food systems, sustainable agriculture, and food justice issues. Heidi graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies in 2005. Prior to working for Chicago Botanic Garden, she spent the last two years working with homeless and at-risk youth teaching organic vegetable farming at Seattle Youth Garden Works. |
Kevin Erickson is in his third season as grower at the North Chicago Green Youth Farm. Prior to GYF, he studied organic agriculture as an apprentice on a farm in Central California. He went to Bradley University and was a member of the soccer team. He loves traveling, music, and spending time with his wife Laura. |
Kirsten Gerbatsch, intern, recently graduated from Reed College with a history major. She has experience working on urban farms, teaching hands-on environmental education, and volunteering at food banks in Portland and Philadelphia. At the end of August, Kirsten will be working in Michigan as a school garden coordinator and nutrition educator to further the national Farm-to-School program in rural communities. |
Emily Provonsha, intern, is a recent graduate of Green Mountain College, where she studied environmental science and policy. She came to Green Youth Farm in search of an urban farming experience as well as a chance to reach out to youth. She will start graduate school this fall at the University of Michigan in the urban planning program, where she hopes to continue working on urban food-system issues as well as learn about improving the quality of life in rust-belt cities. |
Jesus Cuezzi, growing/marketing apprentice, is in his third season at Green Youth Farm. Jesus was a crew member, then a crew leader, and has worked his way to apprentice. Jesus is a 2010 graduate from Waukegan High School, and is currently attending classes at College of Lake County. |