Interns ~ Summer 2011

We are so fortunate to have three incredible interns with us this summer. Before I introduce them to you, it might be helpful to know just what an internship looks like. Emiko and I see internships as a way to train future leaders; it is an educational experience. As such Emiko has put together a curriculum for her sustainable agriculture interns that includes readings, sight visits to other related programs, discussions, hands-on practice and of course incredible meals together. There are three areas of focus that interns can chose from here at Santa Barbara A Rocha: sustainable agriculture, environmental education, and conservation. Interns are volunteers with a longer-term investment and time commitment than our typical volunteers. It is an unpaid experience and at this time requires interns to find their own housing. They are a special group.

And here they are…

Debra Warren is from Mount Pleasant, Michigan and is studying dietetics at Central Michigan University. She came to learn about Environmental Education and was with us for three weeks this summer. She helped run our three weeks of Creation Care Camp and worked with Emiko in the afternoons to learn about sustainable agriculture.

Kayla Burkett also hales from Mount Pleasant, Michigan and is a recent graduate of Westmont College, Santa Barbara. She has volunteered at the farm in the past and will be with us for about three months. Kayla plans to use her newly gained sustainable agriculture knowledge and experience in the near future when she returns to northern Uganda to help with a farming project connected to Sports Outreach.

Anthony “Wally” Waldrop is from Bakersfield, California and is also a recent Westmont College graduate. While at Westmont Anthony gave leadership to the campus A Rocha student chapter. He helped spearhead several activities and events there. He is also interning in sustainable agriculture and will be with us at least through the end of summer.