by Debbie Ang
In my previous life as a university research associate, my days involved designing and running experiments, essentially controlling every aspect of the research, leaving nothing to chance. I’ve always loved gardening and tried using my lab recordkeeping habits to run the garden. Spreadsheets listed all the varieties of every crop I planted. I noted when seeds germinated, when and why plants died, weather conditions, harvest yields, etc. I even started saving seeds.
But I always felt I was failing because many seeds and plants did not make it. The recordkeeping was time-consuming and simply reinforced the feeling of failure. One day I stumbled upon the Modern Landrace Gardening site, searching for a more hands-off approach to growing food. Joseph and Julia's video lessons made so much sense and helped me realize that I should let nature take on more responsibility in my garden. This is when Going to Seed entered my life.
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| A visitor to the garden |
This discovery coincided with my impending retirement in the midst of the pandemic. As someone who enjoys being at home, the isolation didn't bother me, but I contemplated how to spend my newfound free time. When Julia and Anna called for volunteers, I had my answer. Unlike my experiences with political causes (which I found controversial and frustrating), this organization’s goals resonated with me. The group’s positive focus on adaptation, diversity and community in the garden drew me in. I initially volunteered to be a seed steward and edit grant proposals, entering a world of nonprofit work that was entirely new to me. Little did I know that this was just the beginning.
As the group evolved, we decided to formalize GTS as a nonprofit organization, partnering with a fiscal sponsor, Empowerment Works, Inc. To my surprise, Julia asked if I would take on the bookkeeping. Also to my surprise, I agreed. My lack of experience beyond personal finances should have been a big red flag waving wildly for all to see, but somehow logic did not prevail.
While it’s been challenging to wrap my head around accounting concepts, I’ve managed to keep the books balanced for about a year now thanks to great accounting software and lots of help and patience from Julia and Anna. I’m not as tech-savvy as the younger members of this group, but the role has pushed me out of my comfort zone and into new learning experiences. As treasurer, I even followed Joseph to and from the Heirloom Festival last year as he emailed me his receipts each day. Happily, the anxiety is nearly gone and I’ve settled into a monthly routine. This is an instance where my lab recordkeeping habits have come in handy.
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| Bee in Evening primrose |
The GTS team's kindness, thoughtfulness, and encouragement have been invaluable throughout this journey. Their support has made this unexpected role as their treasurer a very positive experience. It’s also been a joy to see this small organization accomplish so much in so little time with the support of its community members and dedicated volunteer staff. I hope my story inspires you to embrace new challenges and perhaps consider joining us at Going to Seed. We're a supportive, inclusive, international group, welcoming those who share our passion for sustainable gardening and community building. Your skills and enthusiasm could make a real difference in our organization and mission.