What we see in the next generation

In the face of troubling news from the record numbers of fires in the West and hurricanes in the Gulf to the ravages of COVID-19 and extreme partisanship in government, we find inspiration in the the next generation.

Pictured here: Danielle, Jesse, and Morgan

The Field School provides 4 to 6-week explorations into the sustainable mindset for students from top-tier universities and colleges. These students have impressed us with their backgrounds and their clear, focused commitment to grapple with both challenges of climate change and achieving equitable human rights.

International and North American participants are returning this year (2023) to our international GROW BIOINTENSIVE® instructor training, a partnership of the Stanford Inn and Ecology Action of the Mid-Peninsula headed by John Jeavons. Previous years’ participants from the Americas and as far away as Sri Lanka have been committed to sustainable farming and growing carbon-rich soil. The techniques enable them to teach farming methods that sequester carbon beyond the limits of so-called regenerative and “non-till” agricultural practices. These future instructors understand the challenges to agriculture in a changing climate and are learning methods to convey that to others as well as continue to build on their own enthusiasm. They enrich the experience of our guests, staff, and the participants in our Environmental Leadership program.

Sydney Grange, our on-site farm director, trained under Matt Drewno who oversees the Stanford Inn and GROW BIOINTENSIVE® partnership. Syd is one of the next generation who has become a leader in addressing changes to farming and food production. In her “spare time” she makes a variety of different tempehs which she distributes in the area.

The next generation comprised of undergraduates are passionate about climate change as they should be, as we all should be. Those with whom we speak are not followers of 17 year old Gretta Thunberg, they, like Syd Grange, are leaders themselves and are on the front lines of the recent protests for climate, for justice, for equality. Youthful idealism and activism is necessary as well as senior enthusiasm, supporting them, helping change minds in our communities, and practicing – living sustainably through the choices we make, reaching out and supporting those who have suffered injustice and are victims of fire, storms, and continual ravages from climate.

When we became parents we thought a lot about how we wanted to raise our kids, what values to instill, how to model. “Leave the world better than you found it” was one. That intention seems to be fueling the next generation. They are teaching us to pay attention, to make an action plan and to act (and an action is voting). That gives us hope!

Stay well,
Joan and Jeff
January, 2023