McKenzie Blaine is joining our team for the summer as she learns the ins and outs of how a nonprofit operates. McKenzie received a grant through her college to work at a nonprofit of her choosing for the summer, and we are so glad she chose to intern at City Sprouts! We'll let her introduce herself
My name is McKenzie Blaine and I will be a rising junior at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in St. Joseph, MN. My major is Environmental Studies and I also have a minor in Biology. The reason I have a passion for nature and environmental health can likely be correlated to the many fond memories I have from my childhood. Some of these memories include traveling to Minnesota every summer, biking, apple picking, strawberry picking, and gardening with my family. My interest in the environment became very expansive as I got older and I began to pay close attention to the constant beauty nature provides us to admire. Along with that, I started to notice how a healthy environment is directly correlated to a healthy mind and body. This realization gave me the opportunity to begin a long journey down a path in which I started to research the environmental injustices that are present in our society. After learning about all these disparities - both environmental and social - I knew I wanted to pursue a career in which I would be able to help the people who needed it while also caring for the environment.
Part of the reason I chose to work at City Sprouts this summer was because I knew I would be able to learn and grow from the job. I recognized that the different opportunities at City Sprouts, whether it be providing education to the younger community or working out in the garden, would give me the chance to grow in my knowledge and in my passion. I want to deepen my understanding of what it means to farm sustainably and how to best promote ecological health, even in a city. City Sprouts seemed to be the perfect way for me to give back to the community of Omaha while also being able to demonstrate stewardship and growth. Ultimately, I hope to learn what it means to sustain a healthy and vibrant environment in our community of Omaha.
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