By Sofia Nazarian
If you follow along with Grow Jackson’s blog posts, they’re usually informative about a certain program, event, or something currently taking place. I love these blogs. However, beginning my work with Grow Jackson this summer led me to want to write about something else, something that reflects my time here with my coworkers, farm vendors, and the people of Jackson.
I live in Ann Arbor, and although it’s not too far from Jackson, I had never really ventured out to visit. Grow Jackson became my reason why.
At first, the 40-minute drives seemed draining and quite boring, but I grew to love them because they meant I got to start my days with my favorite citrusy mocktail from Bad Decisions on Wheels, grab a quick bite from the best Haitian food vendor ever, and pick up a beautiful floral arrangement to take home to my family.
Yes, all of these things were great, but what truly left a mark on me was the Grow Jackson team, one that resembles a family more than anything else.
I’ve had prior jobs, but nothing compares to this atmosphere. From team bonding trips to a quick wave at the market or a little thumbs-up that keeps you going throughout the day, every interaction brings you a little closer.
Due to my role as our Marketing Intern, I got to spend a lot of time observing and watching the ways in which people worked. I got to see Dodi always checking in on the farmers market vendors, Chantel keeping her summer program interns on track like a general, Delaney creating the most interesting recipes during Market Connect, Lena caring for every plant in her area, and Jacob never hesitating to lend a helping hand, no matter how busy he was. Seeing this and being able to say I was a part of it felt more rewarding than anything else.
This work also felt good to be a part of. It’s a mission that aligns with my own values and one I was proud to support. Knowing that the work we do helps make a difference in the community makes every day feel meaningful.
As my time wraps up this summer, I’m excited to see everything Grow Jackson continues to accomplish. Maybe I’ll be back to help along the way, but either way, I’m grateful I got to be a small part of it.
