Maggie Watry Email and Phone Number

Through my limited experience of life so far I have found my calling, to help feed the world. Growing up gardening and farming has led me to my current degree pathway and internship. Through these experiences, I am gaining great knowledge of the U.S. food system and especially how the system impacts people, the planet, and the economy. To me, how the system impacts people is the most interesting. Through working at SLUG (SLCDA) I have learned much about how to work with community members and leaders to improve the food system of South Lansing. SLUG is a non-profit, community-driven, and organic garden. This program was established to help increase easily accessible fresh produce within South Lansing. My duties often require lots of labor-intensive farm work, which can be difficult to do in a low-paying internship, but the days where I can directly see the positive impact of the program's efforts on the community make it worthwhile. Through working at Starbucks and rising to the position of Shift Supervisor, I gained valuable knowledge of the retail and food industry as well as many different beneficial business practices. Working at Starbucks I was also a trainer and the sustainability organizer for my store. While there are many things about the food industry that must change to become more sustainable, almost becoming overwhelming, it is important to continue to work towards the goal, even in small steps. By combining the knowledge of sustainable practices I am gaining from my degree and my experiences at SLUG, I am working to change the current food system one small step at a time towards a system that benefits the people, the planet, as well as the economy.