Stepping out of Comfort Zones- Camila Armadariz-Cruz

Hi my name is Camila, I am a rising junior at Fort Defiance High School. Looking for opportunities over the summer, I wanted an environment that immersed one another in positivity and learning new skills. Hearing about Project GROWS farm from a former teammate and fliers throughout my school, I believed that Project GROWS would be a great fit. Due to the job being at a farm, I did not know what to expect workload wise. 

During the first week there my first task completed was covering the “Bee Bed” with gardening fabric to prevent weed growth. Although the process of laying it down isn’t tedious, the wildlife such as ants and snakes, I was not fond of. Tasks such as this have forced me out of my comfort zone. Allowing me to prosper in the work environment and my personal life. Witnessing the work being done on the farm, the glamorous and the not so glamorous of farming, has allowed me to see the process that it takes from getting food from the farm to the community; especially those who cannot afford the markup on fresh produce at supermarkets. 

One activity I really enjoyed was Project GROWS “Mobile Market”. Mobile Market provides an opportunity to access fresh produce for a cheaper rate for those in need. Being able to experience the help Mobile Market gives to the community, I was able to see Project GROWS’s mission values come to life. Although work is difficult at times, seeing the joy in our community when they see the fresh produce makes all the hot, humid, and long days worth every hour. 

After working for eight weeks, I have been able to work on my leadership skills, public speaking, and learning new skills in agriculture. I hope to grow my friendships with my co-workers even more and hope to apply the knowledge I have learned here to grow my own home garden.