Eron Sandler, Garden Educator and Manager

Eron Sandler is the newest addition to the Collective Roots team. She joins as Garden Educator and Manager. Eron has worked and taught in East Coast farms, gardens and environmental non-profits for the past 11 years. Her college and graduate school experience at Hampshire College and Antioch New England Graduate School focused on hands-on, experiential learning -- something Eron is excited about continuing with Collective Roots!

Wolfram Alderson interviewed Eron to find out more about what attracted her to the work of garden based learning:

Wolfram: What is the earliest memory you have of being in the garden? Was there a moment that stands out? An experience of something magical—some special connection?

Eron: When I was 3 or 4 years old I remember my step-dad showing me peony flowers and how the ants crawling all over the buds helped them open. Also, my mother always carried a shovel and heavy plastic bags in the trunk of her car, and when there was a demolition project in or around town, we would go on plant rescuing missions to dig up plants that would otherwise be destroyed.

Wolfram: As a teacher of "garden based learning", what is it you that you most want to teach or convey to children?

Eron: I want children to love being in the garden, being outdoors, feeling a sense of wonder and joy at seeing their food and other plants grow and how this relates to other parts their lives. Often this is an attitude and way of being and interacting rather than something I can prepare and teach.

Wolfram: One of Collective Roots' goals is to foster "food system change". What does this mean to you on a personal level?

Eron: Well, 'food systems change' has been a huge and on-going learning process. I became interested in farming and food production when I went to Hampshire College and had access to the school Farm Center and its 14-acre production farm and education center. Working on the farm was a spring board to my involvement with a number of nonprofits dedicated to strengthening community involvement in and support of local agriculture.

From learning about how food was produced in my community, I began exploring policy, urban growth and deeper environmental issues related to agriculture. By this point I was questioning agricultural practices on a national and international level. I had no idea how big and complex all these ideas and issues could be and I was both inspired and overwhelmed. I wanted to learn more and do more.

During college I traveled with a program studying the effects of globalization in England, India, the Philippines, New Zealand and Mexico. I spent a month with a farming family in southern India and learned about the history of their multi-generational farm, how U.S. policy changed their farming techniques and how they were recovering their soil from years of subsidized pesticides. I saw this same story repeated in many places.

Back in the U.S, I have tried to take the food systems lessons I have learned all over the world (including at home!), and think about how I can make a difference through my lifestyle choices and my interactions with others. I have continued to be involved with food systems change and local and organic food movements. I am also always interested in learning more! I try to maintain a positive attitude about my contributions to change and make thoughtful choices about what I eat, grow, consume, waste, how I travel, and what I waste.

Wolfram: What is your favorite plant? Why?

Eron: I love Woolly Lambs Ear. It is such a sweet, soft plant, and it was my little sister's favorite plant in our garden growing up. She taught me that it was once used as bandages. With it's silvery leaves, it is also beautiful at night in the moonlight.

Wolfram: The garden developed by Collective Roots at East Palo Alto Charter School has grown to include many features. What is your favorite feature and why?

Eron: I love the opportunities for cooking! We have a wonderfully stocked kitchen cart, bicycle blender, washing stations, counter top, shade area and tables! I am looking forward to making some tasty creations with EPACS middle schoolers!