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Mentorship in Bloom: Growing Together at Blooming Health Farms
Sean Short
August 16, 2024
The Blooming Health Bulletin is a Bi-Weekly Publication of Blooming Health Farms
Month of: August
The Growing People edition focuses on the human side of our mission, featuring:
Volunteer Spotlights: Meet the dedicated volunteers and staff who drive our mission forward and learn how their contributions make a difference.
Personal Growth and Development: Explore content designed to nurture personal growth, such as mindfulness practices, leadership tips, and motivational pieces.
Community Stories: Hear inspiring stories from our community, including the success stories of justice-involved youth who have thrived through agricultural entrepreneurship.
Table of Contents
Calendar of Events:
Chicken Tidbits:
ˈtid-ˌbit - noun
1: a small piece of food
2: a small piece of information
“ Did you know that chickens have built-in sun protection?
Chickens produce a natural oil from a gland near their tail called the uropygial gland. When they preen, they spread this oil over their feathers, which not only helps keep their feathers waterproof but also provides some protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. So, in a way, your chickens have their own natural sunscreen!“
Happy Aloha Friday!
This week, as I reflect on the stories and connections that continue to shape my journey, I’m reminded of the incredible impact that mentors and the community have had on my life and the life of Blooming Health Farms.
As you will read in the stories of Shane Conover and Anthony Navarro, our community is rich with individuals who bring their unique gifts, experiences, and support to everything we do. Shane’s excitement for our "Cakes & Eggs" event and his commitment to our mission through the Good Egg Club highlight how every person can make a difference.
Meanwhile, Anthony’s mentorship, both in the past with my brother Kyle and now in our current relationship, underscores the lasting influence that one person can have on another’s life.
This has led me to reflect on my mentors—like Luther Burbank—and their profound impact on me. Their guidance didn’t just shape my career in sustainable agriculture; it instilled in me a sense of purpose and a desire to pass on that knowledge and inspiration to others. It’s a reminder that mentorship is a powerful tool for personal growth that benefits the mentee and enriches the mentor.
As we move forward, I invite you to reflect on the mentors who have influenced your life. Whether they taught you a specific skill, helped you through a challenging time, or simply believed in you when you needed it most, their impact is a testament to the power of community and shared wisdom.
I hope you enjoy this issue’s feature-length article, and we’ll be bringing back the podcasts soon!
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Personal Growth and Development: The Power of Mentorship
As we journey through life, those rare individuals leave an indelible mark on us—mentors who guide us, challenge us, and help us grow into the people we are meant to become. For me, one of those mentors was Luther Burbank, whose innovative spirit and dedication to plant science profoundly shaped my own path in sustainable agriculture.
Burbank’s approach to experimentation and belief in every seed's potential inspired me to think outside the soil, literally and figuratively. His work wasn't just about plants but about nurturing potential, cultivating resilience, and embracing the unknown with curiosity and courage. His influence taught me to see challenges as opportunities and to always push the boundaries of what’s possible in agriculture and beyond.
But mentorship isn’t just a one-way street. It’s a reciprocal relationship that also enriches the mentor. As I’ve had the privilege of guiding justice-involved youth through their own journeys at Blooming Health Farms, I’ve learned as much from them as they have from me. Their resilience, determination, and fresh perspectives remind me daily of the importance of staying open to growth, no matter where we are in life.
Now, I want to turn this reflection to you.
Your Turn…
Who has been a mentor in your life? How did their guidance shape your path? What lessons did they teach you that still resonate today?
I invite you to take a moment to reflect on the mentors who have impacted your life—whether they were teachers, family members, friends, or even someone whose work you admired from afar. How did they help you grow? And if you’re comfortable, I encourage you to share your story with us.
Your experiences could inspire others in our community who are navigating their own journeys of growth and development. Reflecting on these relationships is also a powerful way to honor the people who have helped shape you.
Feel free to reply to this email, comment, share your story on our social media channels, or simply give them a shout and tell ‘em. Let’s celebrate the power of mentorship together.