We've all been there. Staring down that familiar path of life, not quite sure what lays around the bend or which fork in the road to take. Paula West Kaplan was cooped up in her house suffering from a case of the winter blues when she heard about the PASA (Pennsylvania Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture) Conference on the radio. This Midwestern gal, born in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, decided it was time for a change from a lifetime of horticulture and growing flowers. She sees organic farming as the next step.

Off she went to the PASA Conference this past February where she reconnected with Sam, whom she had first encountered through her son a few years back. Her son had initially come to the farm as a student at Upattinas Alternative School and had then volunteered on the farm extensively for two autumns in exchange for the privilege of archery hunting there. After the conference, Paula was hooked and committed herself to learning more about sustainable agriculture. She joined the CSA this year and volunteers faithfully one full day a week at the farm. The interns describe her as a hard worker and motherly. "She's the best!" one intern commented.

Paula most enjoys the people she meets and works with at Maysie's Farm. Paula comments, "I love it here! The vegetables and their sweetness are far superior to anything I have ever had." She feels that everyone around here has good spirit. Paula looks up to Sam for inspiration and guidance, as she may one day start her own CSA, perhaps with her brother. She describes Sam as a visionary. "What he is doing is wonderful. His spirit goes through all of us."

So next time you are at the farm, if you see someone a little older than the group of interns, perhaps giving them some advice or maybe caring for those delicious cherry tomatoes, stop and say hello to Paula. Perhaps she'll tell you a little about her time in the Pacific Northwest, or about being a charter board member of the Hardy Plant Society Mid-Atlantic Group for two years in '94-95.

We are looking for a part-time Education Coordinator. The primary responsibility will be assisting the Executive Director with the implementation of a two-year Growing Greener Grant that involves expanding and enhancing existing educational programs to include an emphasis on non-point source pollution. The initiatives will be oriented towards both adults and children and will focus on reducing non-point source pollution in agricultural and suburban settings. Duties include the following, many of which can be completed in a home office with flexible hours:

• Organize and present workshops to a variety of audiences
• Create materials on non-point source pollution for lessons, workshops, our website and newsletter
• Conduct ecological living campaigns within our membership
• Research and present materials about natural lawn care to schools and sports complexes
• Attend monthly Education Committee meetings