Come Up Zeus!

Hey! Today, first thing in the morning we went to go glean at Morning Glory and it was only expected to go until about 10:30, but someone offered us some turnips that we could go harvest, so we did that. Then we went to Hillside and Woodside which are homes for the elderly. We also got cucumbers which we didn't have to harvest because they had already picked them, they just didn't know what to do with the rest. So that was the morning. Then later, we talked a lot about designing a t-shirt for the FARM Project and we came up with our mission statement, here it is:

We are the FARM Project, a group of young people striving to fill the food security gap on Martha's Vineyard. We serve the people by growing and distributing fresh, local food, inform the public about their nutritional right, and empower the community by providing hands-on experience through the practice of gleaning and sustainable farming.

We are trying to come up with some sort of logo for our t-shirt and we have to order them soon so that we have them in time for Meals in the Meadow, which I'm not really sure what it is but we will have a chance to explain what we are doing for the island community. Later in the afternoon, we decided to train the oxen. We have 2 steers named Apollo and Zeus. To train Oxen you use certain commands. To make them walk forward, you said Come Up! To Make them turn right you said Gi! (pronounced gee with hard g). To make them turn left it is Haw! To make them stop its Whoa! To make them slow down, say Easy! When training oxen, it is simportant to make you voice strong and meaningful and loud enough so that they can catch on to the tone of your voice. We also used like a whip, but it is not called a whip it is called something with a G. The Steer on the left is Zeus and the steer on the right is Apollo. Also, when training them, you are not allowed to let them rub their head against you because that shows a sign of dominance. Anyway today was fun! 

P.S the bottom pic is one that i took of one of the piglets sleeping and i thought it was amazing so yea.... :)

I Am Changing the world...One head of lettuce at a time....

Today was so great because with the strawberries we harvested, and the squash that we got from Morning Glory farm, we set up a table for a distribution were we give out food to the less fortunate who don't have access to fresh food all the time or just need a little help. While we were in the parking lot of Morning Glory Farms, a guy asked us if we wanted to go harvest some heads of lettuce, and we said sure. We ended up getting close to 180 heads of lettuce, and it wasn't even expected!!! It was awesome because everybody was just so happy and grateful for what we were doing...it felt awesome. What made it even better was that sesame street was there filming for a show.The show is about how Elmo doesn't know that there is poverty and so I think I might be in it. It is going to be on October 9th at 7am (or pm but its Sesame Street so probably am). Just the past two days have been so rewarding and an amazing experience so I can't wait to see whats in store for the rest of the summer...See y'all soon!

First Day

Today was my first day and as I was biking there I was asking myself Is it today? Does it start at 8:30? What if i wasn't accepted in? I was so nervous because i had no idea what to expect, but as soon as we got there other people started showing up and 2 other FARM project kids were there. We picked strawberries and we did that from about 9:30 till 12 or something like that, and that work was hard because you had to get the most perfect strawberries and the plants were so small that i had to sit cross legged because i couldn't bend over anymore because my back hurt. Then we weeded and that was actually fun. Kaila, one of my "counselors" (I put counselor in quotation marks because she isn't really my counselor, shes more like a boss, but not really) talked  to us a lot about what the farm was gonna do for the island and its residents. I don't know if i actually explained it but The FARM Project is all about organic farming and helping the less fortunate who don't have access to fresh vegetables so we teamed up with another organization and we distribute the food that the farm grows to the poor. All in all today was good even though it was really hard work. I also got sunburn...shhh don't tell anyone!

Martha's Vineyard Here I come!

Hello Everyone! This morning I woke up at 6:30 to get ready and finish packing, what a nightmare! I hope I didn't forget anything! Anyway, so we got to the ferry and we had to make 2 trips to get our stuff because I had sooo much stuff! The ferry ride was lovely, and me and my brother were goofing off the whole time (hehehe) I am officially at the house and I have to say it is exactly as I remember it! Me and Amos took a bike ride to see the farm and we saw cows, goats, chickens, and pigs! I am so grateful that I have a job and that I get a special opportunity like this!

Couple of More Days!!

Today, i went to my sisters graduation (from 8th grade) and although it was slighty boring i had fun because me and my brother love to joke around. Later, my brother is coming home with 3 of his little 6th grade friends...I'll see how that goes...  I know that most of you want to hear about my internship, but it hasnt started yet. Only 2 more days!!! The next time i will write will be on Sunday afternoon, when i am out on Martha's Vineyard. See ya later!

Good Day

Today was downright awesome! Some people might not think my day was all that great but i do :) I woke up at 11, took a shower and biked down to town and got nail polish cause my nails needed some serious help, and I got the movie Secretariat which i have been dying to see...then later on I (well my brother) painted my dogs toenails. I also went on a run which i am very proud of myself because i hate running and i am not very good at it, but i did it and that is all that counts...check out the picture of my 4 year old Jack Russel Asje (pronounced Asha)......

Last Riding Lesson

Today was my last day of school as a Freshman! Since i am leaving on the 26th and I wont be able to come back for the whole 8 weeks, I wont be able to go horseback riding and the last time I will be riding is this friday (June 24th) :( or see my favorite horse Adesso :(....I am so pumped tho for the Vineyard!!

Isn't he soo adorable?!?!?
I LOOOVVVEEE HIIIIMMM!!!!!

Summer Job

So this year me and my brother got a summer internship at Katama Farm in Martha's Vineyard. I'm so excited and i will start on June 27th so ill start blogging then. I have never done this sort of thing before, but I hope y'all like it! PEACE LOVE HAPPINESS!