Agraria Journal Winter 2021

AGRARIA JOURNAL 2021 41 AMANDA DUPREY Amanda Duprey is an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer with Agraria. She was drawn to Agraria because of its unique mission focusing on regenerative practices and just and equitable food systems. Prior to joining Agraria, she did research on food sovereignty, specifically in Puerto Rico, post-hurricane Maria. “It has been such a learning experience to have gone from research to on-the-ground work fighting food insecurity,” she says. “Coming from an urban background, I did not have much farming or gardening training, and this first harvest season has been a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow.” Amending the soil, working with nature in order to avoid tilling and the use of chemicals, as well as companion planting are just a few things she has learned how to do in her first few months at Agraria. She is proud of the fruits of her literal labor: okra, cucumbers, five varieties of tomatoes, four varieties of peppers both sweet and hot, two varieties of bush beans, and swiss chard—all grown inside of Agraria’s high tunnel on Huston road. “It has been the coolest experience to take the things I grew and use them to cook my dinner instead of buying the produce at a grocery store.” she says. “It has been such a beautiful way to connect with the land and with the crops.” Amanda is grateful for her Agrarian adventure and hope to one day take what she learns here and apply it to her own regenerative farm in Puerto Rico. ALEXIS MCGILVERY Alexis, Agraria’s newest Miller Fellow, works with our education team to provide outdoor experiences for school age kids. Her position is funded through the Miller Fellowship Program administered by the Yellow Springs Community Foundation and funded by the Nolan J. and Richard D. Miller Endowment. She is a third-year student at Antioch College majoring in international political economy and business studies. She plans to co-op on farms in Ecuador and France next year. Though she is not majoring in agriculture, she loves getting in touch with the outdoors because nature brings happiness to her for free, and she believes that learning and connecting with nature is a great way to live.