So I am not a farmer, though I have had a number of farmers tell me that their spouses don't work in the field, but they do all the support and behind the scenes marketing, finances, etc., and help make the farm a success.  They tell me I'm a farmer and I was lucky enough to have the Midwest CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) select me to be our regional delegate to the National CRAFT conference. The truth is, I do grow food!  I've been doing it ever since my neighbor, Mrs. Nesbitt, and another neighbor, Mr. Boon, offered me a space to grow pumpkins and taught me a lot.  Both had huge gardens and grew a lot of varieties of fruit and vegetables.

I've continued to grow food and have about 20 different veggies and herbs growing.  What makes my growing a bit different is that the vast majority is in containers because I live in a condo and YES, you can grow so much in containers. I love buying seeds, figuring out my plan, and watching things grow. I also love harvesting, sharing with friends and neighbors, and being able to eat my wonderful produce in the middle of winter!

	Angie's passions include photography. This photo was taken at Wellspring & the only color is a pumpkin left in the field.

I am so lucky to be at Wellspring! I often say that our founder, Mary Ann, birthed Wellspring and I was lucky to be able to adopt it.  I love how my past expereinces below prepared me for Wellspring.

• 2^nd grade teacher
• YMCA professional and the executive director of Tri-County Y
• Elm-Brook Humane Society 
• Health Education Center
• Cedarburg Festivals 

I had special opportunities that have helped me shape the programming and services at Wellspring and that ensures a system approach to impacting our local food system in a positive way.  I truly appreciate how we have built on a strong and longstanding foundation that is able to do even more to impact the health of individuals, families, the environment, and the community. Folks who know me know that I don't get involved in anything that I am not passionate about. I'm truly passionate about our food system and a food economy. And I am truly thrilled with the total Wellspring team and their commitment to our mission and to you.

Any farmer will tell you that it's pretty tough to have a new farm manager every couple years. They need to learn the land, see it in the different seasons, and grow on it.  Because we want to help young farm managers gain experience in a supportive environment with the intention of learning to manage a team and run a farm so they can go out in their own right, it means there will be turnover.  It also means that some of our CSA shareholders will leave to follow the farmer they have come to know.  While this is exactly what we want, it is also challenging.  It means we are always looking for more new shareholders and therefore, YOU are VERY special to us as our current shareholder.

Yes, I could go on and on about our very successful and innovative programs;

• Farm to School in four school districts
• Agri-Corps and Farm Camps
• Cooking classes to learn how to cook seasonally
• Wellspring's state of the art meeting space and the environment for retreat attendees, hostelers, and more to grow and explore. 

Wellspring allows me to live my values EVERY day and to truly impact our world at so many different levels.  It's what I am passionate about. It's how I can play a role in developing all ages and especially our future leaders and change agents. It's an opportunity of a lifetime!

Lastly, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't remind you that for those who have the means, please consider financial support. We are a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that DOES need donations and gifts and volunteer service to fulfill our mission. Please contact me to learn how you can invest to truly make a difference in our food system thru Wellspring's efforts.

We love having visitors and the chance to "knock your socks off" when you see all that we do and you experience the special place that Wellspring is.  I'm really lucky!  I get to be a part of an organization that truly lives its mission and impacts our community at so many different levels.

Thanks for the privilege of serving you!