Amber Dahlin
Major: Environmental Studies; Minor: Religion
Amber has loved raw carrots since her teeth grew in, but more recently she’s realized how enriching and vital it is for everything she puts in her mouth to align with her values. She can’t wait to grow all of her food, or else to be on first-name basis with those who do. At this point, she’s still forced to make some compromises if she doesn’t want to starve, but she wants to help make that kind of connection available to the Principia community. She loves schmoozing with swiss chard and toying with tomatoes, and wants to share those experiences with as many people as want to feel the dirt beneath their fingernails!
Fassio Elder
Major: Religion and Philosophy
Fassio has had an interest in food production since the pajama-clad 5AM’s of his childhood, helping his ma open up the café for mornings of baking and coffee-laden aromas. Before his tenth birthday, their family acquired an avocado farm in southern California where Fassio has spent many hours among the trees as a steward and a friend. Since discovering permaculture several years ago, his interest in the philosophy is ever-growing and he strives to implement its elements into practice. Apart from the avocados, Fassio has developed and cared for several organic food and herb gardens (personal and community) and maintains a strong interest in the ethics of eating. He can’t wait to share his interest in sustainable and sensible food with community and the world!
Jess Gealy
Major: Creative Writing; Minors: Environmental Studies, Women’s Studies
Jess has had a love affair with food since infancy. Throughout childhood, she spent much of her time cooking with her mom, making mud pies in the garden, and winning pie-eating contests. As she grew, she reflected on how happy delicious food made her and how happy it could make others. This reflection lead her to the conclusion that what we eat has a profound impact on how we feel, and that the relationship we have with our food influences the choices we make in the rest of our lives. As such, she believes in respectful, responsible agriculture and that everyone has the right to delicious, healthy food. She enjoys working with her mom in their organic garden back home, and jumped at the prospect of bringing Principians closer to their food. She is excited to continue making mud pies and learning about ethical agricultural practices alongside her peers.
Amelia Heron
Major: Environmental Studies; Minor: Philosophy
Amelia first discovered the joys of gardening while working on an ecovillage in France many moons ago. Her amazement of gardens, natural farm systems, and intentional communities has been waxing ever since. She has a flourishing interest in permaculture gardening as well as exploring creative ways that connect our daily lives with a simpler and fully-flavoured way of living. She sees this garden as an inspiring space for students to interact with the food they eat, to observe and learn about gardens that mimic resilient natural systems, to taste what vegetables really taste like, and to remind herself and others that we are the change we wish to see in our lives. Oh yes, right now.
Austin played in garden before his first steps. The first things he learned to love about it were how his mom’s blue irises danced in the sun and why ants would play on her peonies. A few books, years, and travels later he became inspired by the magic of soil. Watching Nepali farmers on the steep slopes of the lower Himal risk it all for the for the fruit of photosynthesis grew a passion to connect with the earth. He is apart of the Principia Permaculture Garden to share the wonderful experiences that abound in the garden.
Leah Mack
Major: Environmental Studies; Minor: Sustainability
Leah worked on an organic farm a few years ago in Colorado and then for a month in July/August in New Mexico, and learned so much- especially that she is absolutely in awe of this kind of work. After experiencing farm life so close up, Leah wants everyone to get a taste of what that is like, and actually taste the food that can be grown all by ourselves! She loves working with animals and learning how they work hand in hand with what and how we can grow on this earth. Being involved in an evolving gardening project is just what she has been craving to get back into. Leah is so excited to help others get exposed to what it is like to know where our food comes from and experience the rewarding feeling of growing, harvesting, and eating your own food, in your own backyard, AND in harmony with the earth. It is possible!
Blanda Matzenbacher
Major: Biology; Minor: Geology, Studio Arts 
Blanda considers herself a tool to bring nature back into our lives, and that’s why she’s part of the permaculture team. Her intention is to contribute to the sustainability efforts of this world and become a part of the big picture to make a difference. As human beings we are not supposed to control but to share the environment we live in with our cohabitants: the trees, the animals, …nature.
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