Gratz Sophomores Give the Farm a Grow

by Nina Berryman, Weavers Way Farms Manager

This spring we are fortunate to be hosting two interns from Simon Gratz High School Mastery Charter for three months at Weavers Way Farms. Sophomores Radeah Benbow and Terrance Corbin work with us every Wednesday afternoon. They’ll be with us through the end of May. About a month into the internship, I sat down and asked them some questions. 

What is your favorite class in school?

Radeah: History, every generation of history, because I like to know what happened before my time.
Terrance: Literature class, because I like to read, especially drama, horror and non-fiction.

How would you describe yourself?

Radeah: Shy, outgoing and also bossy.
Terrance: Laid back, funny, sporty, quiet at first but not after you get to know me.

What drew you to this particular internship?

Radeah: I like to cook and I like to learn about different types of plants, for example at first I didn’t know how parsley or basil grew.
Terrance: In the past I had done some gardening with flowers, and while I wasn’t into it when I was younger, now that I’m older I wanted to learn more about it, including learning about vegetables too.

What do you hope to gain from this internship?

Radeah: More experience with growing food, and then I want to show others what you have shown me. I want to know how to grow my own food instead of going to the market.
Terrance: How to plant seeds in the soil so it grows in the greenhouse. That tomatoes come in other colors besides red!

What has been a surprise to you during the internship so far?

Radeah: How fast the plants grow in the greenhouse.
Terrance: Yeah, how fast the plants grow!

What do you want to do after graduation?

Radeah: Go into the Air Force.
Terrance: Go to college and study abroad in Japan.

Where do you see agriculture and your future self overlapping down the road? 

Radeah: When I’m in the 12th grade I would like to start a school garden where students can intern at the garden on campus. Also, this spring and summer I will be working at Bartram’s Garden. 
Terrance: I want to start a plant business someday growing fruits and vegetables. 

Is there anything else you want our readers to know about you?

Radeah: You should volunteer at the farm!
Terrance: If you try it, it will be a good experience!