Victoria joined the farm team at Common Ground, this past fall, as the Food Justice Education Coordinator. She has already experienced her first Farm & Garden Conference, hosted by CG’s farm team, as a staff member – and so much more! Last semester, Victoria sat down with After School Media Club members Greer, Aiden, and Sam for an interview and shared her personal and professional experiences at CG.
What’s your job at Common Ground?
I’m the Food Justice Education Coordinator. My job is to bridge the farm and the school. I collaborate with the teachers to bring their students out to the farm for lessons that align with their curriculum. My position here is to connect us all with food justice as one of our missions here at CG. I also run the cooking club with the help of student leaders and I also co-teach a course about food justice in the spring.
What are your previous work experiences? What made CG a good next step for you?
I have worked with various food justice organizations in the past, like Green Village Initiative which runs an urban farm and community garden network in Bridgeport, CLiCK Willimantic and Food Corps in New Britain. These jobs have helped me to learn about CT food systems and the strength of our communities here, and given me the passion to work with young people towards food justice. CG is a great place where social justice and learning intersect which made it a really great next step for me as I become more interested in education.
What part of CG made you come here? What motivates you to work here ?
The people, the staff and students here are very welcoming and fun to work with. I first learned about CG when I attended the Farm and Garden Conference of 2023 and I instantly fell in love with the farm team and the culture here. What motivates me to work here is the mission and the way people here are really committed to supporting each other.
What makes you want to work in an environment with young people/young adults?
It’s everything. Young peoples’ passion for the world keeps me motivated and inspired. I believe that the transformation we need in this society starts with education and I love being a part of that.
What’s your approach to working with young people?
Reciprocity, respect, and joy. I think it’s really important to find joy in the work we do in order for it to be sustainable and for there to be joy there needs to be trust.
What’s your approach to food justice?
My approach is to be very open with people so that they feel comfortable being open as well. Food justice is all about sharing and creating an environment where our stories and experiences feel valued.
What life experiences made you want to work in food justice?
My love of food and cooking, gardening and hearing peoples’ food stories. Also from my experiences growing up with my family in Latin America I was exposed to different types of food systems in my parents’ home countries of Chile and Uruguay and it made me think about how things could be different here from a young age.
How does your job relate to students?
I work directly with students in their classes and in extracurricular activities.
What’s one change you’d like to see at CG, and why?
To see justice more foundational to all of our operations, so that students and staff feel seen and supported.
What are any goals you have completed while working here?
Me and another staff were able to take students on a field trip to Soulfire farm which has always been a dream of mine, and many of the students’ who got to go on the trip.
Would your younger self see you working here?
Yes she would, I always had a deep sense of justice as a little kid that I didn’t really know what to do with because I didn’t see it reflected that much in the world around me. But I had a feeling I would find my people.
What do you want students and families to know about you as a person?
I always have a smile on my face, I am very passionate about bringing people together and I have a cat named Monkey.
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