Life on the farm at White Violet Center: Meet our summer crop of interns

It is the fifth Anniversary of Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home, the second encyclical of Pope Francis.  It is the beginning of the Year of Laudato Si recently proclaimed. Pope Francis says, “It is no longer enough to speak only of the integrity of ecosystems. We have to dare to speak of the integrity of human life, of the need to promote and unify all the great values. Once we lose our humility, and become enthralled with the possibility of limitless mastery over everything, we inevitably end up harming society and the environment.” (Laudato Si ~ is not addressed only to Catholics but to “every person living on this planet…”)

We at the White Violet Center for Eco-Justice are very enthusiastic and grateful to introduce a wonderful “crop” of interns at this time!  Libby Robinette has served energetically and diligently in a variety of capacities on the farm for four months! We welcomed Alexis Klug on May 11, and Hannah David, Tavia Hedrick, Sarah Jesse, Liz Kuntz and Annie Kuyper on May 31! You will hear more from their perspective about the adventures of their internship at WVC in the future. For now, enjoy a bit of their biography as a means of introduction. 

Hannah David, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

Hannah has completed her freshman year at Winona State University, majoring in Ecology. During the last two summers, she has worked on a farm and has developed a strong interest in learning and practicing sustainable farming.  “Your internship program looks like one of a kind… I want to immerse myself in an opportunity to not only learn about farming, but also faith.”

Tavia Hedrick, Terre Haute, Ind.

Tavia has completed her sophomore year at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and is majoring in Environmental Science with a concentration in wildlife biology and minors in chemistry and professional writing. “I am intrigued with learning more about sustainability as it pertains to agriculture… Having taken many trips and volunteering at White Violet Center, I would like to learn and grow closer with the community that calls it their home.”

Sarah Jesse, Cleveland, Ohio

Sarah has her B.A, in Theology and Psychology and an M.A. in Theology from Notre Dame University. She currently works with Residential Life as rector for a women’s residence hall at Notre Dame. “I believe that the opportunity to intern at the White Violet Center for Eco-Justice this summer would be an invaluable experience on many levels, including allowing me to engage my hands in the work with creation and earth that my heart and mind have already been doing,…offering me a privileged eye into a group of women who take the charism of ‘indomitable trust in Providence’ as their own root and inspiration…”

Alexis Klug, Terre Haute, Ind.

Alexis has completed her junior year at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and is majoring in Environmental Science. She has been active with the Sustainability Club on campus. “I have an interest in gardening and farming because of my background through my family’s farm. I look forward to this internship position in order to gain more Environmental Science experience.”

Liz Kuntz, Cleveland, Ohio

Liz has recently completed her degree at Maryland Institute College of Art, majoring in Fiber Art with a concentration in Sustainability. “I have become very passionate about socially and environmentally sustainable practices in agriculture and fiber production. I am very excited about the possibility of interning at the White Violet Center.”

Annie Kuyper, Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Annie has completed her junior year at Purdue University, majoring in Agricultural Economics Sales and Marketing. She has met some of the SMWC Equestrian Team through competition. “I am motivated for this internship because I love agriculture. I’ve always wanted to have my own organic farm but I’m curious as to how it all works. My goal is to learn and gain as much experience as possible.”

Libby Robinette, Noblesville, Ind.

Libby has her B.S. in Biology and minors in Studio Art and Spanish from Indiana University in Bloomington. After college Libby served with EarthCorps (AmeriCorps) in Seattle. She worked with a team on restoration fieldwork focusing on native species planting, invasive species removal, as well as erosion control. “I want to learn about farming and its relationship to the environment.  While living in Seattle I developed an interest in sustainable living and eating and actions I can take to live a lower impact life in the face of climate change. I learn best by doing, so I believe that working on a farm is the most effective way for me to explore these growing interests.”  (WVC Intern February – December 2020)

Are you or someone you know interested in an internship at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice? We accept applications year round.