Education
Green Youth Farm
GYF Staff and Contact Information
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Angela Mason Angela Mason, director of community gardening, has been instrumental in the success of the Green Youth Farm program since its inception in the spring of 2003. In her more than five years at the Chicago Botanic Garden, she has nurtured the program's growth from one farm and 13 students to more than 45 students at three sites, and she also helped found the Garden's Windy City Harvest urban agriculture training program. Angela graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, with a B.S. in plant and soil science, and an M.S. in plant, soil, and general agriculture. |
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Eliza Fournier Eliza Fournier, manager of school and community gardening, has served in the school and community gardening department at the Chicago Botanic Garden for eight years. In that time, she has helped more than 200 communities and schools plan and implement gardens in their neighborhoods. She currently manages the Green Youth Farm program, teaching teenagers how to grow organic produce on three urban farms. Eliza earned her bachelor's degree in environmental studies from Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL, and her master's degree in public affairs from Indiana University, where she concentrated in urban management. Lately, she has been seen presenting a variety of gardening topics during regular appearances on Chicago Tonight. |
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Heidi Joynt Heidi Joynt, coordinator of North Chicago Green Youth Farm, served as growing assistant in 2008. She came to the Chicago Botanic Garden from Seattle Youth Garden Works, and her background is in youth and environmental education. Heidi graduated from Central Michigan University in 2005 with a B.A. in environmental studies and outdoor recreation. |
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Samantha Creightney Samantha Creightney, coordinator of North Lawndale Green Youth Farm, comes to the Chicago Botanic Garden with significant experience working with teens and adults in landscaping and urban gardening practices. She served as growing assistant for North Lawndale's Green Youth Farm in 2008. Samantha has a background in the culinary arts, studying at Johnson and Whales in Florida as well as the Culinary Institute of Chicago. She graduated from green job training with Green Corps, and is very active in her community, volunteering for the Austin Green Team. |
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Kristen McPhee Kristen McPhee, coordinator for Washington Park Green Youth Farm, comes to the Chicago Botanic Garden from Seed Savers Exchange. She has spent the past several years gaining experience in sustainable agriculture and education. Kristen completed MSU’s Organic Farming Certificate Program in 2008 while simultaneously creating an educational market garden for inner-city youth at Blandford Nature Center and Mixed Greens. She also apprenticed with renowned farmer Eliot Coleman and is a 2006 graduate of Hope College in geology and environmental sciences. |
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LAURA ERICKSON Laura Erickson serves as the market coordinator for Green Youth Farm. She oversees the harvest and distribution of sustainably grown produce at each of the three Green Youth Farm sites. She also works with Cook and Lake County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) offices to sell fresh produce directly to WIC families as well as provide a public-speaking opportunity for Green Youth Farm students. Before Laura arrived at the Chicago Botanic Garden, she apprenticed on organic farms in California and Georgia. She also served as an assistant project manager at the Center for Transportation and the Environment, a nonprofit organization in Atlanta, GA. Laura earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Bradley University. |