By Andrew Mollenauer
Reclaiming Roots Panel:
Thursday’s “Reclaiming Roots” event held space for local farmers to lead dialogue on farming issues faced by folks who are indigenous, of color, or both.
The panel was hosted in the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center and featured three farmers in the area and a Piscataway tribe member.
Specific discussion topics included land tenure and anecdotal accounts of challenges faced. But alongside the theme of challenges was the affirmation of hope amid them.
“Farming is a very risky business,” said Farmer Gale of Deep Root farms in Upper Marlboro. “It’s a scary position to be in, and so my motivation has always been wanting to be there for my community. I believe that’s what’s helped to bolster my drive and my stamina to continue on the journey of doing this work.”
Emily McEntire, a freshman public health science major, who attended Thursday said the event was impactful and left her with valuable takeaways.
“Everyone spoke with such passion and it really inspired me,” McEntire told SBS. “I also thought it was cool how they shared little changes you could make in the way you think and what you learn that will help you be more self-sufficient while still being part of a community.”
Joy Bauer:
Maryland alumna and nutritionist Joy Bauer visited College Park last Monday, leading several activities during her event in the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center.
Among those in attendance were Maryland head football coach Michael Locksley and public health school dean Boris Lushniak. The two joined Bauer for a “fireside chat” on health living, in an event that also included a cooking demonstration, singalong, and interactive game show.
“To be able to help people just tweak what’s on their plate and enhance the health and happiness and fulfillment of their life is an amazing feeling,” Bauer said to the audience.
Bauer helped put wellness in perspective for the crowd, explaining the mindset and approach that are most valuable and conducive to longevity.
“I always tell people to have that big goal and think about it all the time, but then have weekly goals that are realistic and tangible and enduring,” Bauer said. “You can keep checking those off, and that’s your pat on the back, which fuels you to keep going forward.”
Bauer’s message resonated with Jackie Tofts, a senior communication major.
“People have the tendency to be so hard on themselves when it comes to health or have this all-or-nothing attitude, but I think it’s the little steps along the way and giving yourself grace and motivation,” Tofts said.