Hi, my name is Cassaundra Lewis, and I was selected to become a member of the MN GreenCorps program for the 2016-2017 year. I will be serving with Renewing the Countryside on the Farm to Child Care and Education program. Farm to School (F2S) has been such a national success, that parents and providers of child care want to incorporate Farm to Child Care (F2CC) or Farm to Early Care. Educating kids with educational curriculum such as the Farm to Preschool Curriculum by UEPI or the Farm to Child Care Curriculum by IATP. By using local farm fresh food from farmers, not only does it help kids by learning to eat healthier, it also helps the farmers locally. Helps reduce the environmental footprint. Helps to bring the community together. And helps to empower parents and their kids in healthy choices.
A little bit about myself.
I attended St Cloud State University for Meteorology, however I took an elective for Environmental Studies and Sciences, and discovered I loved Environmental Studies much more. That was where I worked at a gas station for over 4 years. Then I had two amazing wonderful kids, and landed down in Texas. While there, I had a stressful yet rather positive experience as a Correctional Officer with the TDCJ. And well, I eventually made my way back to Minnesota. That's when I decided, that I really wanted to pursue the path I was taking in college. Some amazing people directed me to Minnesota Council for Non-Profits, and that my friends, is where I found MN GreenCorps. Here is where I will be, helping on Farm to Child Care and Education for the next 10 months.
About MN GreenCorps:
"Launched in 2009, Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide program to help preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals. This program places AmeriCorps members with local governments, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations around Minnesota, where they will serve for 11 months on focused environmental projects that help build community resilience. The program is coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency."