TerraCorps Spotlight: Stella Rothfeld
Stella (she/they) was born and raised in New York City and graduated from Williams College with a degree in English & Environmental Studies. Stella loves being outside and getting her hands dirty and is passionate about how localizing food systems can change people’s relationships to community and foster stronger environmental stewardship. Stella has previously worked in sustainable and regenerative farming operations at Hickory Nut Gap Farm and at The Food Project, and worked with youth in various capacities to grow leadership and expand access to environmental education. Outside of farming and gardening, Stella can be found reading, writing, playing the piano, singing, or rock climbing.
What originally inspired you to get involved in youth garden education?
As a city kid, I didn’t get to spend much time in nature, but my love for hiking and the outdoors made me curious about farming. I think environmental education really helps to grow community-minded citizens who care about the earth and each other, and reconnecting humans with growing our own food brings a larger awareness to how the environment and food systems are interconnected. I think it’s super useful to have hands-on alternatives to classroom learning, and especially important for kids growing up in cities with less access to nature to have environmental education programs. Things like dirt or bugs or plants may feel scary or foreign to us at first, but learning about how they fit into the greater chain of growth and decomposition.
What’s one important skill you believe gardening teaches kids that they can use outside the garden?
Gardening teaches kids that some things take time and care to develop, and that planning, having patience, and being intentional about what actions you take are all integral parts of gardening. These processes are so different from digital experiences that we have day to day, so I think gardening sharpens the ability to not need instant gratification or results.
Could you share a treasured memory of being outdoors that impacted you deeply?
I was on a group backpacking trip in college where we were all training to lead freshman orientation backpacking trips, and the group of people I was with just really bounced off of each other. Some of us had one or two friends within the group, but as a whole we had never hung out together. The deeper we got into the woods the more crazy we got. When we were washing our dishes after cooking our dinner we made a moat out of the dirt and dishwater and late at night we all had a worm-fight in our sleeping bags. Being cut off from our phones and the rest of our social networks allowed us to be euphoric and I was just so happy.
Learn more about Stella!
What’s one item on your bucket list that you’re determined to check off soon?
Dye my hair pink or get an apartment with my friends
What’s the strangest food combination you secretly love?
Waffles with cream cheese
What’s one fashion trend you would love to see make a comeback?
Colorful printed button downs or layered tees
What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?
Being with friends, going for a swim, sight-reading some choral music, reading my book, playing a board game