Hello! My name is Mia Beams and I am from Mattapoisett, a small town on the south coast of Massachusetts. I plan on concentrating in the School of Public and International affairs. I am also interested in certificates in maybe Spanish or visual arts. On campus I am a member of the Civic Leadership council, and I am also a mentor for the Humanities sequence. I love running and listening to music and I am super excited to meet everyone so soon!!
This summer I am lucky enough to work in the neighboring town of Dartmouth MA for Sharing the Harvest Community Farm. The farm works to alleviate hunger in the county through donating its produce to local food pantries and mobile markets. What is amazing about the farm is that much of the work is done by volunteers. With only four staff (including myself) the farm relies on the surrounding community to plant, weed, and harvest our produce. The farm also works to educate everyone on the value of volunteering in your own community.
My daily schedule is a little varied, but generally, I help lead volunteers in different tasks on the farm whether this is showing the best way to plant cucumbers, how to prune tomatoes or help feed the (really cute and loud) chickens. I also go to the mobile markets where our produce is given away to community members. These varied tasks allow me to see the work and dedication needed to make our food; it also allows me to connect with volunteers and recipients of our food.
I think one of the most incredible things for me about this job (along with taking care of the chickens) was the strong sense of companionship and community I feel working with both volunteers and my coworkers from Southcoast MA. Through talking with volunteers ––some of whom have been volunteering at STH for over ten years–– I find myself gaining a new perspective on the area in which I grew up, learning about why they volunteer or their relationship to the area.
While planting, weeding, harvesting or processing the food many times I find myself in conversations with volunteers about other work being done in Dartmouth or my home town of Mattapoisett, or unresolved problems ––local or national–– that are affecting our home. Being from such a small town sometimes I find myself finding mutual family friends and acquaintances. Working on the farm this summer allows me to recognize the value in connecting with folks through discussing and learning more about food insecurity. It has also allowed me to see new aspects of the area to value and to recognize the flaws as ways in which we can continue to work and grow together.
