Kate

Kate was born and raised in Freeport, Illinois.  Although she grew up in a rural farm town, it was not until she moved to Chicago and studied African American Studies at The University of Illinois at Chicago that she developed an interest in food systems and organic farming. In the spring of 2008, she began volunteering both at a community garden in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and at a small organic farm an hour outside of the city. Kate's love for the work was immediate, and by the next season, she: reenlisted in school at Depaul's School for New Learning, this time focusing her education on sustainable agriculture; quit her day job;  became a farm employee at Peasant's Plot sustainable farm in Manteno, Illinois; and made the decision to become a farmer and attend the OFTP program at Michigan State University. Needless to say, she loved her experience in the program so much, she decided to stay at the farm for a second year! Kate is so excited to be a part of the 2011 learning community, and can't wait to work with students to make beautiful farmstand displays. In addition to her role as Farmstand Manager, she is thrilled to be a part of the pig leadership team and is counting down the days til the piglets are born!...When she is not at the farm, Kate enjoys sewing, cooking and eating good food, learning how to play the drums, attending as many county fairs as possible, collecting vintage pyrex, playing miniature golf, and relaxing with her husband, their two cats and three chickens.