Kehinde (right) is an international student from Nigeria pursuing his Doctorate of Ministry and Ecology at St. Steven’s College through the University of Alberta. Throughout the summer Kehinde will be doing research for his degree. He chose to study LFG because when he came to volunteer in 2018, he loved what was being done. He also found that everyone he met at the gardens was extremely welcoming and loved what they were doing. His research is focusing on the people, the land and the feeling of having a shared purpose, as well as how to promote human flourishing. Throughout the summer Kehinde will be talking, observing, and learning. He will interact with many of the individuals that come up to the gardens, clients, coordinators, volunteers, staff members, birders etc. Keep an eye out for him as he might want to talk to you!
Olu (left), Kehinde’s son, is a current student at The King’s University studying Computer Sciences. Like his dad, Olu is an international student from Nigeria. They have lived in Canada for about 5 years now. Olu has just completed his 3rdyear and is planning on graduating next spring. Growing up Olu did not spend a lot of time outside or doing any type of agriculture work, he explained himself as a little sheltered. But in the past 2-3 years he now spends a couple of hours a week enjoying time outside and in gardens with his dad and his colleagues. He has come to greatly enjoy time under the sun!
Olu (left), Kehinde’s son, is a current student at The King’s University studying Computer Sciences. Like his dad, Olu is an international student from Nigeria. They have lived in Canada for about 5 years now. Olu has just completed his 3rdyear and is planning on graduating next spring. Growing up Olu did not spend a lot of time outside or doing any type of agriculture work, he explained himself as a little sheltered. But in the past 2-3 years he now spends a couple of hours a week enjoying time outside and in gardens with his dad and his colleagues. He has come to greatly enjoy time under the sun!
Allie is the Community Support Worker for summer 2021! She is originally from Surrey, BC and moved to Edmonton in 2018. She had completed two years of a bachelor’s degree at The King’s University before transferring to The University of Calgary to pursue social work, where she has just finished her 3rd year. While attending King’s Allie participated in the Justice Fellowship through the Micah Centre and went on the Quest Mexico trip. Allie is a passionate and outgoing person who enjoys learning new things and interacting with new people. In her spare time, you can find Allie either walking in the river valley or enjoying a good book. Since the snow has melted, she spends as much time as possible outside, another reason this job is so perfect for her! She is excited for the summer to start and while she has no agriculture background, she is open and ready to learn new things and get her hands dirty!
Rayna is the Community Program Developer for the summer of 2021! Two of the programs she will be developing are the independent garden for experienced agriculture newcomers and the forest working group which, will develop how to care for and harvest from the forest. As well, Rayna will be working alongside Allie with regularly scheduled activities throughout the week. Rayna is originally from Saskatchewan with a long family history of farming, gardening and agriculture. She graduated from The King’s University in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. King’s instilled a stewardship approach in her when it came to working the land and developing a sustainable way to do so. Rayna first visited LFG in her first year at King’s and had loved the work they were doing, now that she has graduated, she finds it rather special to be working here for the summer. Rayna enjoys spending time in nature, getting fresh air and working the land. She believes it is a good mental health practice and she is really glad this job gives her that ability. She is excited to learn more about different cultures from meeting new people and building relationships. In her spare time, you can find Rayna either walking in the river valley or inside working on her art or calligraphy.