[MES Forum] Update on Seeds of Middle Eastern Culture

[McClimans, Melinda]

Dear MES Forum,

The Seeds of Middle Eastern Culture<https://mesc.osu.edu/seeds-of-culture> foodways project has hit the ground running. We've been busy with several activities focused on youth and young leaders in agricultural systems building. On Friday we taught kids how to plant seeds and handed our cultural information at the Columbus Commons as part of Commons for Kids<https://columbuscommons.org/events-hub/family-events/commons-for-kids/>. It rained for a little while, but that's nothing a delicious icecream cone can't fix. Thanks to the Commons for their support.

On Saturday, April 26th, we handed out seeds and knowledge at the Earth Day Learning Fair<https://www.nbc4i.com/daytime-columbus/columbus-area-teen-hosting-earth-day-learning-fair-this-saturday/>, organized and led by Telario Watkins and Kendall Rae. Telario is the founder of the local food business, Tiger Mushroom Farms<https://www.tigermushroomfarms.com/>, a project he started at age 7. Kendall Rae is a USDA certified farmer and leader in the gardening movement at only 9 years old. The day was a special opportunity to join with gardening and farming enthusiasts, of all ages, at Ohio State University's African and African American Community Extension Center in the Bronzeville-King-Lincoln District of Columbus.

We will return to the AAAC Extension Center this Fall to show kids how to cook Okra stews, Egyptian and Nigerian-style! Our partners will bring Egyptian and Nigerian tastes into the mix with traditional foods made by locally owned food businesses. Interested in joining these activities? There’s lot more to come. We're looking for educators, researchers, storytellers, and people opening to learn related skills.

Finally, we are very excited to share that we are partnering with All That<https://www.all-that.org/>, a youth program led by Danella Hicks that is truly transformative focused on workforce development, spiritual wellness, and life skills. They will be incorporating Seeds of Culture<https://mesc.osu.edu/seeds-of-culture> into their Culinary and Hospitality track this coming school year.

We are grateful to so many supportive individuals contributing to this project. Thanks especially to Ohio State's Office of Outreach and Engagement for their sponsorship of our documenting impact project. The core team will host an orientation for educators, consultants, and research assistants next week. Stay tuned for the invitation!

Melinda



[The Ohio State University]

Melinda McClimans, PhD
Assistant Director

The Ohio State University
Office of International Affairs
Middle East Studies Center
145D Enarson Classroom Building
2009 Millikin Rd, Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-6506 Office / 614-974-4331 Mobile
mcclimans.2 at osu.edu<mailto:mcclimans.2 at osu.edu> / mesc.osu.edu<https://mesc.osu.edu/>

Affiliated Researcher, Sustainability Institute

Pronouns: she/her



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