Kal Belay is an alum of the Rainier Beach Youth Stewards program. She used to accompany her grandmother when she participated at Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands with the East African Senior Center. She goes to Cleveland STEM High School and is an active member of the school community as the co-founder of East African Club and captain of her cross-country team. In her spare time, she enjoys running, hanging out with her friends and doing her hair. Below, Kal reflects on how her connection to the farm blossomed from family visits into a transformative experience as a Youth Steward.

From Curiosity to Community Impact

When my friends who were employed as Rainier Beach Youth Stewards told me about the program, I became interested in applying to learn more about the environment and to gain a better understanding of farming. Before I started, my expectations were that we would be working straight through and planting plants right away. It was pretty much what I had anticipated, but the way we adapted was different. During the sessions, we learned about the farm and what it meant to be a member of this group. We discovered the value of farming and its benefits to the wetlands and our community. The most significant lesson I learned was the enormous influence a small thing can have on our neighborhood. Even though it was only a five-minute walk from my house, this farm had a significant impact on my community. I would never have met this group and learned about this if I hadn’t joined this program.

A Day in the Life of a Youth Steward: Learning Farm Skills

A day in the life as a youth steward was different depending on the day. It was difficult on some days when we worked harder on the farm, and easier on others when we sat together and did workshops or event planning, or when we would check in. As a youth steward employee, my favorite day was our Community Kitchen Dinner. It was the most hilarious yet difficult event. We used our expertise of the farm and our work to host a community gathering showcasing the fresh produce and the program itself. Even though it was busy and hectic, our coordinators Nancy and Suez (the two most wonderful people) helped us plan it by first assigning us to groups and then letting us work from there. As a result, I developed stronger relationships with the other staff members, which was amazing, and I got to meet amazing people that were part of the community.

One skill I learned that I’ll never forget is how to prep a bed for planting. My memory of the names of the tools we used is still hazy, but I can physically demonstrate how to prepare a bed. To be honest, I had no idea that you needed to prepare a bed before planting anything. I assumed you just needed to dig a hole, plant your seed and water it occasionally. I genuinely believed that farming and planting would be simple. In fact, it is, but patience and time are needed. I also discovered how quickly weeds spread. Now, whenever I pass by, I can identify the difference between certain weeds and plants.

Rediscovering Fresh Flavors

My experience on the farm was far different than I expected. One of the most important things I discovered was the enormous influence farms can have on our community. We frequently forget where food comes from, since we’re always going to the store to buy what we want, and we forget to acknowledge where it comes from. Working at a farm helped me understand where all of this food came from and what the process was for growing it. I also had the opportunity to taste a lot of fresh vegetables, and the taste was astounding. Being on the farm made me feel nostalgic because I was raised in Ethiopia and ate fresh food for most of my life. Tasting fresh vegetables here in America was something I never thought I would be able to do again (since everything is processed) but this program made me feel at home, and made me miss my homeland even more.

Friendship, Food and Fun

It was enjoyable to work there because I made a lot of friends while serving as a youth steward, many of whom I still keep in touch with. I was able to make friendships I never would have imagined. I also improved my relationship with nature by learning about the cultivation and harvesting of these plants, which has changed the way I view the environment and increased my appreciation for its beauty. The seniors at the East African Senior Program are incredibly kind and amicable, and I was able to strengthen my bonds with them by occasionally serving them food at lunch time, conversing with them, and—most importantly—dancing with them. It was truly one of the best parts of my job there.

The food was another one of my favorite things about working there. The food, indeed! Harvesting was my favorite part of the day since we got to try so many different fruits and veggies, and they all tasted amazing. We would all be hungry because it would be a hot day, and the fresh fruits would instantly satisfy my stomach. When we stood there listening to directions, everyone would just start picking and eating the berries, which were my favorite fruit there. They were so delicious and there were so many of them.

Overall, I am appreciative and glad that I worked there because I got the opportunity to represent the community and the program and be a part of something significant that affected our neighborhood. I remember helping sell fresh produce at the farm stand. I recall how thrilled customers were to purchase the nutritious fresh vegetables that my fellow youth stewards and I had picked. It made me feel like a proud mother — seriously though! Although I was rather anxious, I really was thrilled by how friendly and inviting everyone is there, which makes working there even more enjoyable. I hope to work there once more in the future and support the community. Special thanks to Nancy and Suez for their unwavering kindness!

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