— Liz Kammeyer, High Rocks AmeriCorps Member, Hillsboro, WV

Greetings once more from the High Rocks mountain!

I’ve had the privilege of writing many of our blog posts over the last two years, and sadly the time has come for me to write my last one.  What a surreal feeling!  This month I am wrapping up my second year of AmeriCorps service here with High Rocks, and so I wanted to take a look back at some of my favorite memories that happened along the way.

First and foremost, I am just so grateful that I got to help in growing and harvesting yummy, local food just feet away from my desk.  This particular harvest of cucumbers stained one of my favorite shirts, and I don’t even care.

One of the biggest perks of serving at High Rocks is of course spending time with our fearless High Rocks girls!  This is a group of our Veggie Queens from last year’s camp.  They were responsible for weeding, harvesting, and prepping all of the lettuce that was gobbled up at the salad bar everyday!  Their giggles and singing made time fly by in the gardens.

A big hats off to the Junior Counselors that also helped in the gardens daily during camps.  At times we didn’t make it back to the kitchen with ALL of the produce we harvested, but I am only grateful that they have such hankerings for straight-out-of-the-ground carrots and right-off-the-bush beans.

It wouldn’t be a year of Grow App service without putting some hoes together!  This was taken my second year — the first year I learned firsthand (no pun intended) how NOT to assemble a hoe, with blade scars to prove it.

A snapshot into the convoluted and at times maddening (but always humorous) process of balling twine.  Thanks to Deb for the emotional support.

PICKLES!  Honestly one of the best parts from the past year, gardeners at our Healthy Cooking workshops made and canned some of the tastiest bread and butter pickles I’ve ever had — and I am a pickle connoisseur.

This is me with perhaps the most valued member of our garden team, Car Tarantula.  I would like to thank him for the scares, laughs, and camaraderie.

 

My sincerest thanks to every single one of our gardeners, volunteers, girls, and of course my amazing team members for everything you have taught and shared with me over the last two years.  I cannot tell you how much it means to be a part of this strong community.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

Love,

Liz