[Lisa]

Hiya all ...

I'm looking for suggestions, ideas, thoughts on the following:

I currently live and work in NYC -- I work in a small international anti-poverty/human rights organization and love lots about what I do. I'll be taking a sabbatical next year and really want to use it to explore my underdeveloped passions for growing things, for agriculture, to get grass stains on my knees and dirt under my fingernails and gain some real hard skills which I have until now lacked, in part because of the heavy people-centered focus of my work.

I'm ultimately interested in seeing where this might intersect with the work I do now, which has a lot to do with kids and education and neighborhoods without a lot of access to the yummy local ingredients I like to buy.

I've strongly considered doing an apprenticeship at a small farm. The idea still appeals to me hugely but I'm leaning toward exploring these things within the city.

Money is an issue -- I'll need to be paid in whatever I'm doing, and although I'm used to a pretty thrifty lifestyle, I will need enough for rent, etc.

Possibilities I'm considering include finding an after-school program with a strong community garden link or focus, an internship with one of the botanical gardens ...

Here's where y'all come in. Any suggestions? I'm looking for anything from the very general to the very specific, rooted in your own experiences or in things you've heard, possible routes to explore or organizations to check out.

Thanks a lot!

peace
Lisa

[varnadore]

The school district I work for (on the west coast) has a horticultural program run at an alternative high school as a vocational/training program. NYC must have something similar. As these type of programs are usually offered as "alternative" there is a higher level of at risk, special education, ESL students, etc, staff turn over is sometimes high. But that sounds right up your alley. Good luck and get growing!

[Lisa]

Thank you! What a spot-on suggestion. I'll research and let you know what I discover

[Pesto Man]

Lisa, check your personal messages
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I would like a gin martini, straight up, olives on the side, as dry as my wit, as clean as my conscience.
and... as cold as my heart!!!!