Sustainable Princeton (SP) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to develop and implement solutions in Princeton that positively impact the environment. Their mission consists of advancing three pillars: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, protection of the local ecosystem and now strengthening resilience to the impact of the changing climate. Over the course of my high school career, I have volunteered on multiple occasions for SP, helping staff events such as the Green Fest and their recycling/shredding/upcycling events. Given my work with SHUPP and the Princeton Free Garden Project, I was offered a summer internship at SP.
SP is mostly an educational organization, and as such it’s pivotal to do a lot of community research. Throughout my internship, I worked on electric vehicle events, smart growth programs and green homes tours. Creating social media campaigns targeted towards Princeton residents and helping staff work out the logistics of all of these events has helped me grow my communications, marketing, event planning and logistics skills.
Throughout last spring and summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work at Skinny Tree Farm, a remarkable flower farm dedicated to long-term restoration efforts. Situated on the site of invasive roses and a declining ash forest, the owners have tirelessly worked to replace these with native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and herbs. The farm also boasts a thriving fig orchard, a delightful berry patch, and an abundance of cutting flowers. My role at Skinny Tree Farm was diverse and fulfilling. I assisted the couple who owned the farm with a wide range of tasks, including mowing, weeding, cutting down plants and flowers, planting, harvesting, and creating beautiful flower arrangements. This experience proved to be incredibly valuable, not only in terms of developing my gardening skills but also in its profound impact on my well-being: it allowed me to experience firsthand the positive influence that green spaces have on mental health. Witnessing the transformation of the farm through restoration efforts further fueled my passion for creating and preserving green spaces, something that I had already started with the Princeton Free Garden Project. This transformative experience at Skinny Tree Farm has strengthened my dedication to the cause of sustainability and the creation of more green spaces. I hope to continue advocating for and actively participating in projects that promote a more sustainable future and a holistic view of wellbeing.
Driven by my commitment to address food insecurity, I reached out to SHUPP (Send Hunger Packing Princeton) and began volunteering with them. SHUPP plays a crucial role in providing snacks to supplement school meals, in particular by distributing ten pound bags of fresh produce to families experiencing food insecurity. The president of SHUPP, Ross Wishnick, had recently initiated the Princeton Free Garden Project, and I eagerly joined as a volunteer. As my involvement grew, I became the lead volunteer for the Princeton Free Garden Project and enlisted friends to join the cause. Along with my other duties as lead volunteer, I built hydroponic gardens at the YWCA and used them to grow lettuce for distribution to families in need. The project now spans three locations. Each urban garden has an adjacent food pantry, providing a sustainable and accessible source of fresh produce for the community.
Additionally, I have been actively working on raising awareness about food insecurity and the Free Garden Project within the Latino communities of Princeton. In recognition of my dedication, I was appointed as board member/student liaison to the Board of Trustees of SHUPP, and I now regularly attend their monthly board meetings and share my insights to the organization. Eager to expand the reach of the organization, I established the Princeton Community Garden Club, which serves as a platform for recruiting volunteers for the Princeton Free Garden Project. The club has already organized maintenance days at the garden, and my vision is to educate members about hydroponic gardens and explore innovative and sustainable methods of food production.
Together, these activities have deepened my existing interest in sustainable agriculture, a focus deeply rooted in the desire to mitigate the impact of industrial agriculture on climate change. In the future, I intend to pursue this passion at the college level, with a major in environmental studies. I plan to seek ways to feed large communities without harming the environment. The Free Garden Project has been a valuable stepping stone for me in this journey, and I am excited to take this mission to the next level in college.
Throughout the last couple of years, I’ve had the opportunity to spend some time in the Dominican Republic and I’ve made a point of both getting to know the country and attempting to have a meaningful impact in the local community. Through connecting with a foundation, I was able to become an assistant at a summer camp. I was assigned to look after their youngest age group and did my best to teach basic English skills. Witnessing the children's enthusiasm and eagerness to learn was inspiring. It made me realize the power of education and the joy of giving back to the community.
