OKO JOURNAL

As a summer intern at Oko Farms through my major in Global Development and Food Systems, I have seen firsthand how increasing equitable access to affordable, nutritious, and ecologically produced food hinges on localized solutions. Each day at Oko Farms, I witness the power of harnessing ecological principles and local resources in an urban context to benefit both people and the planet. Initially, I dreaded the messy, labor-intensive task of making compost. Yet, over time, I’ve grown to love it, earning the title of “compost queen.” What once felt like a dirty chore has become a source of pride, joy, and a killer ab workout.

My fondest memories on the farm are of preparing and savoring some of the most delicious salads I’ve ever had, crafted from the very plants our compost nourishes. These meals are a testament to our daily efforts, whether it’s composting or diligently removing tiny aphids from each leaf of a plant. These testaments to our efforts are also seen in the joy of someone at our markets discovering we grow a culturally significant crop they’ve been searching for, appreciating the scent of an herb while bundling it, or watching how the greenery contrasts with the Brooklyn Bridge and skyline. I've began to embrace the grittier aspects of farming in a similar way, now recognizing them as fundamental to the reciprocal relationship between humans and the earth that is needed to sustain us both.