Faryal Sharif, of Marion, Indiana, completed an internship this summer with Franklinton Gardens, a non-profit urban farm that grows food for its community, in Columbus, Ohio.
During her internship, Sharif worked with Franklinton Gardens on all projects related to field and hoophouse production to raise vegetables, herbs, and flowers for markets, including our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, produce stand, and donations to local pantries and soup kitchens.
Sharif learned harvesting and rinsing of produce, field preparation, planting, irrigation, weeding, cultivation, pest management, farmers market stand operation, produce delivery, maintenance of farm equipment and irrigation system, and all many other tasks related to building and maintaining a community-based urban farm. Additionally, Sharif assisted with door to door community outreach and promotion of Franklinton Gardens programs, and took a lead role in the creation of a children’s mural at our produce stand.
“It has been a pleasure working with Faryal this summer,” said Joan Rowe, operations manager for Franklinton Gardens. “We great appreciated the strong partnership between Franklinton Gardens and The Ohio State University and look forward to a continued relationship.”
Sharif will return to Ohio State in August to complete her degree in community leadership. She is the daughter of Dr. M. Nabi and Mrs. Fauzia Sharif and a graduate of Marion High School.
The community leadership major prepares Extension educators to lead positive change in their communities. Students complete coursework in program and people development, planning and leadership and gain the skills necessary to work with people of all ages and develop them into agents of change. For additional information on the community leadership major, visit acel.osu.edu or call 614-247-6358.
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