DAY 3 - FUN IN THE SUN!

This morning, we headed off to Ekar Farm starting at 9:00AM. When we arrived, they educated us on their mission driven by the Jewish values of sustainability and giving back to the community. Ekar Farm was forced to relocate to this 2-acre plot of land when their original farm was taken over to become a parking lot, which speaks to how difficult sustained land accessibility is in the metro area. Since their land had only a little preparation in those three weeks, our group was tasked with raking leaves to expose the soil underneath, followed by digging trenches to prepare for planting. We grabbed our shovels, rakes, pitchforks, and sunscreen, and were off, digging and raking! In a little under four hours, we completed the work they had planned for both of our volunteer days! 

While working under the sun, we kept our spirits up by listening to music and engaging in some friendly competition. It is still unclear which team moved more piles of leaves, though we can confirm it was at least 15 each! The staff member Alyssa who oriented and guided us in our work also taught us about countless important topics such as the value of bugs, soil health, and agriculture in general. Her energy was so supportive and encouraging! During our midday break, she even led some dynamic stretching to keep our bodies mobile and healthy. 

After a long day of work in the sun, we were able to rest and recharge (after a slice of Sexy Pizza, of course!) As a group, we also spent some of our quiet time building a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle. Later in the evening, we were invited to mass with the Colorado Vincentian Volunteers (CVV). During mass, we all had the opportunity to reflect on our experiences this week. Some meaningful moments included seeing the passion of other volunteers, the gratitude and joy of many people we served, and seeing the positive effects we’re making on the environment. Our day concluded with a lovely dinner of chili and salad made by CVV!