Interns at NHCO Garden Learn Joys of Growing and Giving Back

North Hills High School Seniors Emma and Maggie are spending their summer interning at NHCO's Rosalinda Sauro Sirianni Garden. The volunteer and community-supported organic garden in Bellevue provides thousands of pounds of fresh produce to NHCO's food pantries. During NHCO's 2020-2021 fiscal year, 4,556.5 pounds of organic produce was harvested and distributed to those in need.

"It feels great. It feels like, very heartwarming," Emma said. "I leave here knowing, like, I've done something good. It's just special."

Through the internship, the two are learning how to identify plants, harvest, mulch, water, and adapt to changing weather conditions. They also interact with the garden volunteers and visitors.

"That's one of my favorite parts about being out here is seeing how everybody is here working together, all working towards, like, one cause, which is special," Emma said.

NHCO Garden Coordinator Madeleine Sheinfeld is overseeing Maggie and Emma.

"The garden internship is a great opportunity for young people to develop the skills to grow their own food, engage with the environment, and be a part of NHCO's strong community of volunteers and supporters. It is our goal for the interns to see how exploring their own interests can help others," Madeleine said.

Emma learned about the internship through her environmental science class, which focuses on nature and how humans affect it. She's also looking into a career in environmental public health or environmental law.

"I just love the class and I love gardening and I was like 'this is perfect, this definitely what I want to be doing this summer," Emma said.

Maggie learned about the internship from her family.

"My mom found this job and told me about it. But It was her subtle way of saying I should probably get out of the house," she said.

Maggie will keep her newfound gardening skills as a hobby – she plans to study math and might go into engineering. And, like everyone who helps cultivate NHCO's garden, she learned that growing is giving.

"A nice feeling leaving every day knowing that you did something good for the community," Maggie said