Seedleaf

Apparently it only takes a couple of sunny (I’m not saying warm) afternoons to get some of us thinking about gardens again. We do have a few chores to attend to and we could use your help. Here are the details:

What: Volunteering in the Garden

When: Saturday, December 10th, 1-3pm

Where: the London Ferrill Community Garden

Dress warm and stay hydrated. We’ll be bedding down any garden spaces that were left uncovered, chopping down some brambles, and getting ready for a spring planting.

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We’ve spent 30 grateful days thanking some of the many folks who make Seedleaf possible. Now, at the end of those 30 thanks, we want to throw in a surprise but public thanks for two of the most important and inspirational people for Seedleaf – Ryan Koch and Becca Self. 

As a team, this dynamic duo makes for a powerhouse blend of traits and skills and assets. They make sure everything happens at Seedleaf. You probably realize that they are in charge of the obvious tasks like gardening, composting, coordinating volunteers, leading classes, and teaching folks to cook. What you might not know is that this overworked staff of two also handles the back end of Seedleaf, administering funds, writing thank you notes, selling t-shirts, paying bills, blogging, handling press, dealing with the board, coordinating client communication, accounting… the list goes on and on. We can’t really even begin to acknowledge all of the things they do in such a short post, but trust us- it’s everything. Despite the heavy workload Ryan and Becca face, at the end of the day they still have the energy to be positive and motivate us.

Ryan was the first to inspire us, and he remains a quietly powerful person with a deep strength that carries Seedleaf forward.  His action, not his orders, are what keep us moving. He is on the ground, tool in hand, working on whatever needs to be done. He shows us by daily example what it means to love the land, tend the soil, nourish growth, value food, and appreciate neighbors. Ryan can be quiet, but never awkward. His strong silence is peaceful company, and when he shares his thoughts they are poignant and linger in your mind all day. Ryan has a very clear vision for Seedleaf, and has never been beguiled by the notion that we should get bigger, better, faster. He recognizes the value in doing something you love and believe in, and doing it well. He is open-minded, respectful of everyone, and an incredible listener. He lives by his convictions. He is calm, content, peaceful, pleasant, and comforting. We could not have asked for a stronger or more inspirational leader to remind us of the values at Seedleaf’s core.

In perfect balance, Becca is equally inspirational and hardly knows a stranger. She makes everyone feel warm and welcome, and can relate to anyone she encounters, regardless of how similar or different that person’s background may be from her own. She is respectful and empathetic to all. She always remembers what is going on in others’ lives, and thoughtfully asks just the right questions then patiently listens to whatever answer comes about. Becca is an excellent teacher, ever flexible and adaptive. She has a clear passion for the work of Seedleaf. Her love of food and cooking is contagious to ALL of her students, whether they are adults at Soup’s On or the kids at Kids Cafe. It’s impossible not to be smiling when Becca is around, perhaps because she is always positive and cheerful. Her infectious energy and laughter bring smiles to the faces of kids and adults alike. Becca has a true gift for teaching, bringing joy, and loving others. Becca’s enthusiasm, humility and warm, unassuming, friendly personality make her the perfect face of our education program.

Ryan and Becca are both strong leaders that we admire and respect and love.

Thank you Ryan and Becca for all of the work you do for Seedleaf, for Lexington, and for the culture of food. We are so deeply grateful to you both.

-Your board.

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A lot of times when I am visiting with folks involved in other non-profit organizations here in Lexington, I find a chance to say something like, My board is better than your board. Often, my friends think I am joking. I am not–my board is amazing. Here’s who they are:

• Geoff Maddock
• Angela Baldridge
• Tiffany Thompson
• Andrea James
• Shawn Burns
• Rebecca Self

These folks are responsible for helping me cast and implement a vision for Seedleaf. They help me evaluate opportunities and navigate partnerships. They represent the organization at social functions. They do dishes. They call in favors. Click here to read the board biographies–I want everybody to know these folks. They have been so wonderful to join Seedleaf in the work of nourishing communities.

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A thanks contributed by board member Angela Baldridge:

There are so many individuals, groups and organizations in Lexington and beyond that have helped Seedleaf in immeasurable ways. Whether through a small gesture like putting a “food grown here” sign in a yard, or offering a large financial contribution to support our programming, we owe so many people buckets of thanks. In the last days, we’ve tried to identify a few of them, but we know that it’s impossible to get everyone in here. Still – we have to offer a thanks to the residents of Lexington.  You, the residents of this beautiful city, are our greatest supporters. You have welcomed us with open arms from the beginning, showing unwavering support for our cause and spreading the news of our work and mission with your neighbors. You make it possible for us to build our gardens, educate our students, cook our meals, and eat our soup. We love what we do, and we are so grateful that we get to do it every day, especially here in Lexington.

Sometimes, I picture Seedleaf as a big wagon wheel. There a lot of folks here who care about all different spokes of the food system, and bring lots of different angles to the center. We at Seedleaf try hard to pull those spokes together so we can all meet in the middle to make something big. But YOU, you Lexington residents who love us and support us and believe in us – you make that wheel turn. You motivate us and keep us going. You inspire the motion.

Thank you, Lexingtonians, for your support and encouragement. Thank you for inspiring us every day.

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