By Dannette Lombert, Assistant to the Farm Manager, previously AmeriCorps Food Security Lead 2021-2022
Many of you have seen me running around the farm, managing volunteers, or maybe delivering produce to the UW Food Pantry. This was all due to my serving as an AmeriCorps member with the UW Farm. I began this full-time position in September 2021 and recently my term of service ended in June 2022. This 10-month position invited many new experiences, growth, laughter, and the opportunity to build and get to know the greater UW community.
During this time, I have met numerous students and community members in different capacities, but the majority of my time was spent:
leading and managing volunteers in the field
tracking volunteer hours
scheduling and leading field trips
helping many students fulfill their assignments or course credits
harvesting, preparing and distributing produce to food pantries, households and UW Dining outlets
During my 10 months of service, the UW Farm recruited 266 volunteers who then completed 3,084 hours of work in the field, as they learned how to grow food and forged new friendships! It has been amazing to connect with everyone, and to see the curiosity, determination, and joy while working on the farm no matter the unexpected weather or work that needed to be done.
Another large part of my service term here has been working with the UW Food Pantry. While we delivered 1,193 pounds, or nearly 2 tons of our organic, locally grown food to the pantry, much of the discussion and continued work in our partnership has centered on educational resources for pantry users and volunteers.
Working with UW Farm food security interns every quarter, as well as the UW Food Pantry team, we were able to create signage that identifies the produce, how to store it, and ways to prepare it. We hope to create more opportunities to engage any curious pantry users on our produce, furthering dialogue on how we can best serve the community in regards to food justice and access.
My service as an AmeriCorps member at the UW Farm has reignited much of my passion for community building and food access, and furthered my interest in urban farming and agriculture. I am excited to continue working on the UW Farm for the rest of the summer as the full-time paid Assistant to the Farm Manager! I have such a strong appreciation for the energy, conversations, and experience you all bring to the farm.
Thank you so much and I am looking forward to seeing you on the farm the rest of the summer.
This Week's Recipe:
By Quying Danzeng, Nutritional Science and
Early Childhood Education Major, UW Farm Nutrition Education Intern
Stir-fry Sugar Snap Peas
These quick Asian style stir-frying sugar snap peas are made with simple and organic ingredients which offer a crisp and fresh taste to your palate. The added minced garlic creates a spicy flavor that will have your tastebuds craving more. Once you pair the peas with the toasted sesame oil and sprinkle with white sesame seeds, you just might forget that you have another portion of your meal ready and waiting to enjoy! This simple recipe is quite versatile and is easy and healthy that anyone can cook for themselves.
Total Preparation time: 15 mins
Servings: 2
Ingredients
Sugar Snap Peas.
Oil. Olive oil or your favorite neutral tasting oil.
Soy Sauce or oyster sauce as a substitute.
Garlic. Use fresh garlic and mince them up.
Sesame Oil.
White sesame Seeds.
Directions:
Step 1
In a large skillet, sauté the garlic and ginger in oil for 1 minute over medium heat.
Step 2
Add sugar snap peas and soy sauce and cook, stir occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes.
Step 3
Turn off the heat, add the sesame oil, and keep on stirring for a minute or two.
Step 4
Sprinkle with white sesame seeds and ready to serve.
Nutrition Corner:
Nutrition Facts: Sugar Snap Peas
One cup serving (63g) of whole, raw sugar snap peas provides 27 calories, almost 2g of protein, 4.8g of carbohydrates, and 0.1g of fat. Sugar snap peas are an excellent source of vitamin C, iron, and potassium. The following nutrition information is provided by USDA.
A cup (63 grams) of raw sugar snap peas provides:
Calories: 27
Fat: 0.1g
Sodium: 2.5mg
Carbohydrates: 4.8g
Fiber: 1.6g
Sugars: 2.5g
Protein: 1.8g
Vitamin C: 37,8mg
Iron: 1.3mg
Potassium: 126mg
Source: USDA
News and Noteworthy:
Food Justice Gala
When: July, 16th 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Where: In the garden at MLK Fame Community Center, 3201 E Republican St, Seattle, WA
Hosted by: Community Alliance for Global Justice
Our SLEE (Strengthening Local Economies Everywhere) Gala is just around the corner! Join us for a garden party on Saturday, July 16 3-6pm PT to help CAGJ fundraise for our yearly programming to strengthen the global Food Sovereignty movement!
This year, our SLEE Gala will feature Keynote Black Star Farmers, and take place in one of the gardens they steward at MLK FAME Center.
There will be food, drink, good company and a stimulating program!
David Montgomery publishes new book, "What Your Food Ate"
During the pandemic lockdown, many people were dabbling in urban farming or growing houseplants. University of Washington geomorphologist David Montgomery was exploring a deeper topic: How do practices that rebuild soil health affect the quality of the food that comes from that soil? His new book, “What Your Food Ate," explores this question.
The UW Farm donates regularly to the UW Food Pantry. During peak season we also donate to nearby food banks. The links below are resources to help you or someone you know with food access.
Every year, we have the capacity to grow more food and increase our educational and research program at the UW, but not without your support. Every contribution goes to work immediately, helping us better serve students. Your support can sustain our momentum and help seed new opportunities for student internships, academic work, and future growth. Please consider making a gift to the Farm online
The Weekly Dirt is produced once a week by the University of Washington Farm, a program of the UW Botanic Gardens, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment. It is published nearly year-round for educational purposes and the majority of the content is written or contributed by students and farm staff.
This issue's contributors:
Around the Farm: Dannette Lombert, Food Security Lead, AmeriCorps Member Editors: Perry Acworth, UW Farm Manager Photo Credits and Other Content: Dannette Lombert, Perry Acworth
Other photos retrieved from the internet and noted in sections
Many of you have seen me running around the farm, managing volunteers, or maybe delivering produce to the UW Food Pantry. This was all due to my serving as an AmeriCorps member with the UW Farm. I began this full-time position in September 2021 and recently my term of service ended in June 2022. This 10-month position invited many new experiences, growth, laughter, and the opportunity to build and get to know the greater UW community.
