07/02/2026
Behind every child collecting their first egg, every tree tapped, every field trip, every first taste of a garden tomato, and every unforgettable day at Stratford⊠there are heroes like these. They just wear overalls and muck boots instead of capes.
Jeff has been baling hay at Stratford for 35 years. Beside him are Mariah, who began her journey through AmeriCorps and is now our full-time Assistant Farm & Land Steward, and Brendan and Ethan, who have spent the last two years serving through AmeriCorps and have become an essential part of this team.
But they represent something much bigger than this photo.
They represent every volunteer who arrives at 7:00 a.m. on the hottest days of summer and the coldest mornings of winter because they believe this place matters.
They represent every supporter who invests not only in programs, tractors, fencing, healthy soils, and equipment, but in people. Because when you invest in people, you cultivate the messengers who help thousands of children and families build a relationship with nature.
We often share photos of children falling in love with the earth because they are our future and itâs why we do what we do. Today, weâre celebrating the people who quietly make those moments possible. The ones who show up every day to bale hay, care for animals, restore habitats, grow food, and create the conditions for wonder and learning to grow.
Nature teaches us that nothing thrives in isolation. Healthy ecosystems are built through relationships, each one strengthening another. Stratford is no different.
To our farmers, land stewards, AmeriCorps members, volunteers, supporters, and everyone who has helped weave this remarkable community, thank you.
Happy Fourth of July. đșđž
