My name is Nathan and I am one of the Gathering Ground interns staying on Washington Island for six weeks this summer. I am a senior studying biology with a minor in sustainability management and entrepreneurship at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. I have always loved gardening since I was little and when I heard about this internship I could not wait to apply in hopes that I could spend the summer gardening on a beautiful island.

Through my time in school I have also started to participate more in agricultural education programs and teaching people about sustainable agriculture and why it is better for the environment and what individuals can do to help the earth. I am here to learn about agriculture on Washington Island, to learn more about vineyard management skills, by part of a sustainable farming practice and explore the island!

Working with Gathering Ground will also give me more insight to nonprofits and how to work with many different people that bring many different skills and resources to making organizations like this successful. My hopes for this internship are that I am able to learn more through hands-on experience with a sustainable and chemical-free farm as well as help grow the farm and find what other produce/products that people living on as well as visiting the island would like to see be grown!

I already can’t wait for the fall to be able to come back to the island and visit for harvesting time and see all of the hard work of many people pay off. Only having spent a few days on the island already, I can see why so many people love visiting here. I am excited for a summer full of gardening and adventure. See you all at the farmers market!

 – Nathan