The Mill City Grows team is the most welcoming group of people I know! They have helped me become an involved community member in the city of Lowell, and make my own positive impact on people’s lives. It means so much to me to be able to be a part of this non-profit and make a difference that I can see! Recently, a handful of young apprentices, and 5 new interns have been welcomed to their small team, myself included. There are two urban farms and a greenhouse here in Lowell, where we grow food and prepare it for the mobile market. By fostering food justice through the mobile market and a variety of education programs and events, Mill City Grows effectively improves economic independence and vitality in Lowell.

Last year’s Forest Foundation intern helped streamline the construction of a new greenhouse at Umass Lowell. The greenhouse recently opened, and we are now in the process of moving from our small greenhouse into this brand new, high tech, more efficient greenhouse. It is really inspiring to be able to see the impact of previous Forest Foundation interns. I am currently working on a pre-order pilot system, where people can come pick up their locally grown food on a weekly schedule. I hope that one day, the research I have put into this idea will serve the people of Lowell more efficiently and ultimately increase food access.

Since my internship began, Mill City Grows has hosted a variety of trainings for the apprentices and interns. From weed management to diversity in the food system trainings, there is never a day where I don’t learn something new about urban farming, the food system in Lowell, or my Mill City Grows family.

One of my biggest highlights as an intern here was preparing and executing the annual Farm to Cocktail fundraising event. This celebration of the non-profit’s progress encouraged more positive growth by bringing the community supporters together. I love to see these community partnerships and I’ve learned that it is so important to show our funders what we have accomplished with their generous support.

Lastly, Mill City Grows is helping me construct my own ideas on starting a non-profit. It has solidified my interest in food security and urban farming. I aspire to run a non-profit similar to Mill City Grows in the future, and take after their values of inclusion, sustainability, resourcefulness, as well as many others. Overall, my experience here has been extremely beneficial to my future goals in community development, and I am so thankful for this opportunity!