By Lauren Christensen, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator
Sadie Robertson, our featured volunteer, has been a tremendous help in assisting Denver Urban Gardens in promoting Youth Farmers’ Markets, where those using SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits can utilize the double value program, which allows participants to buy twice the amount of produce that they would otherwise be able to. Sadie came to DUG via the Denver Public Schools AmeriCorps Urban Education Program. Through this program, she had a chance to create and implement an independent project that would serve the needs of a particular community. Linking Robertson’s passion for food and nutrition to her work, she spent part of the summer facilitating cooking, gardening and nutrition classes for parents and students at Smith Elementary, which Robertson describes as a profound learning experience. However, as the summer continued, Robertson wanted to change her focus to increasing awareness of Denver Farmers’ Markets that accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. Sadie found that DUG’s Youth Farmers’ Markets lined up with what she was imagining for her summer. She called Shawnee Adelson, DUG’s Education Facilitator and offered her services. Of the experience, Sadie says, “Needless to say, I finished up my AmeriCorps hours addicted to gardening, and also feeling honored to have worked with an organization so caring and passionate as DUG.”
When asked what Robertson enjoyed about being involved with DUG, she answered, “What I think is amazing about organizations like DUG and Slow Food, is that they are invested in providing the community with the raw materials and knowledge it needs to start a garden from scratch. Once this happens though, it is up to the community to give the garden character; to love and tend to it, to make it sustainable, to teach it’s children the material and spiritual value of living off the land. The gardens become what the community makes of them, and DUG is there for support. It seems to me the ideal way to implement projects; where the backer doesn’t demand recognition, the community is responsible for the project’s success, and the result is truly sustainable.” She added, “The collaboration between DUG and Slow Foods also makes my heart scream with glee. I know that sounds corny, but it’s true. If the world could run like these organizations do– by collaborating instead of competing with each other- how productive we would be! Or at least we would all be bursting at the seams with fresh, local, delicious cherry tomatoes, and that’s not so bad either.”
