Welcome Josh Poole and Erynn Eveland to Big Sandy. The core of Josh Poole's role at Quinn Institute (QI) will be Research Coordinator. "My role is to make sure that all of our research projects are founded on sound science, proceed according to protocols, and are done in a timely manner." His degree is in Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems. That program has several concentrations or areas of focus. My concentration was in Agroecology. We are conducting scientific studies and collaborating with experts across the nation. Our aim is to devise practical farming models that are personally and economically sustainable for farmers while healing the land and the people on it. Hence the motto, "Healing the earth by growing food as medicine. This first year, we will be getting our systems set up and taking baseline measurements, as well as engaging in discussions to figure out how to best achieve that goal as an institute. However, we have already partnered with several university labs across the country and will be carrying out research projects this summer."
Erynn Eveland is the Communications and Financial Coordinator. She'll handle more of our outward-facing communications, especially with more general audiences on social media and our website. In addition, she will keep our books and ensure our funding is being used as promised, which can be a complicated process for a non-profit. Erynn was on a weekend retreat with friends, so I'll have to catch up with her later.
Josh said, "Regarding other things, we will be growing; we hope to feed QI employees at least a portion of their diet from the institute. I went looking for some onion starts in the mail. This isn't a formal experiment for now, but we will be growing a big garden and seeing how to care for Bob's greenhouse more efficiently. Hopefully, we can feed our employees some fresh produce out of each."
Personally Josh grew up in the Philadelphia area before moving to New York. He moved to Bozeman and his passion moved from music to sustainable agriculture. He plays drums and has been involved in numerous bands, Just ending a jazz "gig" in Bozeman.
He's only been in Big Sandy for one week, but he's so excited. So far, he has been warmly welcomed and is excited to be an integral part of the community.
