Interview with Brooke Letterle
Brooke Letterle is a board member of the Green Corn Project who wants to see people garden for a more sustainable food system in Austin.
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What is the purpose of the Green Corn Project?
We are a grassroots, Austin based, non profit organization that teaches basic gardening skills while helping Austin families and community organizations grow organic food gardens. Our primary goal is to encourage and support backyard food gardening in communities that have limited access to affordable, healthy food.
Why do you believe gardening and agricultural knowledge is important to children in particular?
Absolutely, I think gardening is very important for children because one, they are extremely willing to learn so I think it is good to get really important information to kids at an early age, and because food is so important based on all of the food options. And all the processed foods that we see that are so accessible to us. While, healthy, organic produce is not as accessible to some people. So, I think encouraging people to get more involved with empowering themselves to grow their own food is more sustainable and perfect for them as individuals as well.
How does this project affect our community here in Austin?
If you see, all the volunteers gather here to do something that they know empowers their community members. They are learning something about gardening, so it is not just about the gardens that we are putting in, it is about the volunteers too.
What made you want to get involved with this issue?
Everything. I love vegetables; I love health and wellness. I think it is really important to lend a hand to important issues. And you know, helping people grow their own vegetables because they are more likely to enjoy them that way.
We are a grassroots, Austin based, non profit organization that teaches basic gardening skills while helping Austin families and community organizations grow organic food gardens. Our primary goal is to encourage and support backyard food gardening in communities that have limited access to affordable, healthy food.
Why do you believe gardening and agricultural knowledge is important to children in particular?
Absolutely, I think gardening is very important for children because one, they are extremely willing to learn so I think it is good to get really important information to kids at an early age, and because food is so important based on all of the food options. And all the processed foods that we see that are so accessible to us. While, healthy, organic produce is not as accessible to some people. So, I think encouraging people to get more involved with empowering themselves to grow their own food is more sustainable and perfect for them as individuals as well.
How does this project affect our community here in Austin?
If you see, all the volunteers gather here to do something that they know empowers their community members. They are learning something about gardening, so it is not just about the gardens that we are putting in, it is about the volunteers too.
What made you want to get involved with this issue?
Everything. I love vegetables; I love health and wellness. I think it is really important to lend a hand to important issues. And you know, helping people grow their own vegetables because they are more likely to enjoy them that way.