Congratulations 2020 Grads

Congratulations to all of the seniors graduating this year, and to those students that have engaged their senior projects in land use and natural resources, thank you. Many shared the famous Jane Goodall question, “What kind of difference are we going to make?” Folks were endeavoring to organize ideas and thoughts on how their actions impact other species, and the planet, each and every day. This is not an easy question in normal times, and when you add the pandemic, it becomes all the more challenging. A big part of answering this question is to start getting outside and start listening and looking to the complex ecosystems exceedingly busy at this time of year. On our farm, it’s not just the veggies that are growing. There are ecosystems of beneficial insects, not so beneficial insects, wildlife in the air, by land and sea. It is enveloping, arousing and many times heartbreaking, as life and death is all around. To have the younger generation participate in this is enormous.

Many students came up with important organizations that do not receive government funding and need voices to educate and protect wild species and wild lands. Many started petitions for the first time, downloaded apps that can help track, identify and ultimately save vulnerable communities. What I found so interesting among the many students was their discovery of nature, different from the usual recreational format, a discovery that feels more aware of fragility, as our own species fights for its health amidst a viral outbreak. Amid so much uncertainty, the wonderful the beautiful quote from John Muir, “For going out, I found was really going in,” feels very true.

To all of the future environmentalists, farmers, biologists, teachers, and nature lovers about to enter into the work world: Thank YOU. Nature in all of its glory has a frontline, and serving on this frontline will be a joy of great magnitude.

Make sure to find us on Instagram @fullcirclefarms.