Join us in bidding farewell to our UGArden VISTA and Education Coordinator, Madison Dickey! In the last year, Madison has played a crucial part in several major projects and accomplishments here at UGArden. She has spearheaded our education efforts by hosting several volunteer events, field trips and tours; and by bringing back Grow-It-Know-It, the Georgia Educator training workshop. The UGArden team will miss her greatly, but we wish her well for all that comes next!
Madison joined the UGArden team as our Education Coordinator last July, after she graduated from UGA with a degree in finance and wanted to do something different for a while. Having no agricultural background herself, Madison was eager to learn all she could here at UGArden and very adamant about finding ways to dive further into her passions and interests of education, economy, and environment. In her time at UGArden, Madison not only learned so much about agriculture, food systems, and more, she is credited for teaching those same things to so many others as well.
When asked to reflect on her year at UGArden, here are some of the things Madison had to say: “There is beauty in simplicity… This is a way of life, not just a job you have. So many times outside of work, I am brought back here because I see echinacea growing on the street, or a bird that I first saw out here. It is unfortunate that we as humans have gotten so out of touch with the great outdoors, and it’s been so nice working at a place where everyday you are engaging with that. That is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
We are so appreciative to Madison, and all her hard work here on the farm. She brought warmth and humor to every conversation, and steel grit to every task, and we will miss her so much. You will always have a home at UGArden!
