Summer 2023 Furman Intern: Joel Mason
Joel harvesting crops in the garden.
Joel Mason is our 2023 Summer Garden Intern from Furman University. Our interns work with us Monday-Friday, spending the first half of their day in the garden and the second half helping out in the soup kitchen, culinary school or with office work. Joel has been and continues to be a fantastic addition to our summer team! Learn more about him below and his experiences so far.
Where are you originally from? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am originally from Germany and my family and I moved to America when I was around 8. Since then we have mostly lived in South Carolina. Currently, I am in the class 2025 at Furman University, where I love going on walks around Furman lake, competing in our Mock Trial program, and working towards a career in law.
What’s your major and what do you hope to do in the future?
I am a Politics & International Affairs and German double major while also on the Pre-Law track.
How did you learn about Project Host and what drew you to our organization?
I learned about Project Host from the recommendation of one of my professors, which encouraged me to research the organization on my own. What really piqued my interest is the structure. Project Host has several different departments which all complement one another and contributes to their mission of "Using food as a tool to nourish the hungry and train the unemployed" This is a mission that I resonate with, and I wanted to get a closer look on how they go about accomplishing that goal.
What are your responsibilities as an intern with Project Host?
My responsibilities primarily pertain to the upkeep of the Urban Garden. This includes tasks such as harvesting, leading volunteers, and planting. While I spend my mornings working in the gardens, in the afternoons, I work in whichever department needs my assistance. So, on some days I find myself working in the culinary school, while on other days I may be in the soup kitchen, administration, or the bakery.
What have you learned through your work at Project Host? What’s been your biggest takeaway so far?
Considering I am relatively new to gardening, I learned a lot about what it takes to maintain a flourishing garden. I was also able to gain a better understanding about how to operate a non-profit, which includes tasks such as organizing fundraisers, getting donors, and closing adhering to government guidelines for grants and reimbursement.
Favorite plant or flower?
Mason washing harvested vegetables to be used in our kitchens.
My favorite plant would have to be the Venus Flytrap. They just have such a unique way of getting food and I had one when I was younger.
Any recommendations or ideas for us?
The one recommendation I do have is one that I'm already working towards resolving. While we have experienced and knowledgeable gardeners working at Project Host, they are not always around to answer questions. So, for new or inexperienced volunteers it may be good for them to have a paper guide on how to do tasks around the garden that they can refer to when an experienced gardener is not around.
What’s some good advice you’d give to a new intern?
Don't be afraid to ask questions. When you first begin you will be presented with a lot of new information about how things operate, the community, and you'll meet a number of new people. It's ok to ask for clarification if things get confusing. The people are here to help you just as you are here to help them.
Also use bug spray.