Beginning the Second Leg of the Journey: From Chili Peppers to the Global Spice Routes #Fundsforteachers #FFAlivingtoserve #FFAgrantsforgrowing #Legacygrants #Wholekidsgrant From classroom walls to global routes, our herb and spice study began as a living curriculum students could see, touch, grow, research, and explain. Last summer, my fellowship journey began in South America, the birthplace of the chili pepper. I traveled through Peru and Bolivia studying the agricultural,

Callaway Gardens Butterfly House Over the years, I have tried to visit gardens in nearly every place my travels take me. Long before I understood the planning required to design a beautiful landscape or the ecological value each plant contributes, I was drawn to the way gardens made me feel. Something about walking through a thoughtfully designed landscape slows the pace of the day, sharpens observation, and invites curiosity. That feeling is what first led me to seek out gar

Gardening in Alabama is as much an art as it is a science. With its warm, humid summers and mild winters, the state offers a long growing season that can be both a blessing and a challenge. One of the most effective—and eco-friendly—ways to manage these challenges is by inviting beneficial insects into your garden. These tiny allies can help with pest management , improve soil health , and even boost the flavor of your homegrown produce. In this post, we’ll explore how to wo

There’s a photograph I keep returning to—Tom and Marina (wife) side by side, leaning together the way only partners who’ve logged thousands of miles can. Together they traveled to 46 of the 50 U.S. states, collecting a license plate from each one as proof of the adventure. Those plates now line the walls of his office back in the Netherlands, inside a house that dates to the 17th century, a room blending the new and old worlds - both worlds of trade, travel, and adventure. Ma