Member Spotlight: Debbie Bauer

Debbie Bauer is the Bethel School Garden coordinator with the Lettuce Program under BRWIA's Community of Gardens. As the former Garden Coordinator of the ASU Sustainable Development Edible Schoolyard, she has been teaching children of all ages how to tend a garden and where their food comes for over a decade. She is generous with her time, putting long volunteer hours and a good amount of sweat equity to keep the school garden productive and thriving.

One of the most rewarding aspects of her work with the students is cooking what has been grown in the garden. To see a child who says they dislike kale or spinach then "gobble up a kale salad or spinach smoothie really makes my work worthwhile!"

Debbie was also an integral part of getting the seed library in Watauga and Ashe Counties. "I am so proud of the phenomenal success of the library, including the huge turnout at the grand opening and the amount of seeds that were checked out," she said. Debbie is also a dedicated seed saver personally, and is now creating a seed saver garden at the school.

For Debbie, "BRWIA is a community organization that not only helps farmers but brings the whole community together. The staff and board are comprised of the most dedicated and diverse group of people that center their energy on the sustainability of the community by creating ways to support local food community, school gardens, the seed library and so much more. I am truly honored and proud to be a part of this organization."

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