Meet the Intern: Growing as a Teacher & Inspiring Young Eaters

Whitman College Sociology major Anna Gustafson, a senior from Seattle, is passionate about education and the outdoors. Her dedication to working with children and fostering connections with nature has been a defining element of her college experience—and led to an impactful summer internship with the Walla Walla Valley Farm to School program through the Sustainable Living Center.

Teaching Kids Food’s Origin Story

The Farm to School program connects local students with fresh, locally grown food through school gardens, farm field trips, cooking activities and cafeteria sourcing. By integrating hands-on agricultural experiences into education, it fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for healthy eating, the environment, and local farmers. 

School gardens serve as dynamic learning spaces, encouraging students to grow, cook, and value fresh foods while supporting sustainability, a strong local economy, and a more connected and health-conscious future.

As an intern, Gustafson’s responsibilities ranged from garden maintenance to community outreach. During the summer of 2024, she worked with a team to care for school gardens and played a key role in educating over 380 youth about gardening and nutrition. 

Gustafson led the Kids Club at the College Place Farmers Market, where she designed activities to teach children about environmental issues. She engaged them in discussions about plants and food origins, making learning interactive and engaging. 

“It was stuff that they knew about, so it was fun hearing them sort of tell me about it but then also teaching them a little more if they didn’t know,” she says. “They could come and do that and then get a coupon for free fruits and veggies at the farmer’s market.” 

Gustafson  also supported open gardening hours and helped organize community events in partnership with Camp Fire Walla Walla and UPlay day camps.

With Camp Fire kids, for example, she led lessons on the life cycle of a carrot. “It was fun for them to learn where their food actually comes from,” she says.

Inspired by Outdoor Education

For Gustafson, the experience was about more than just teaching—it was about making nature accessible and meaningful for children. 

“I think it’s really important for kids to get outside, whether that be on outdoor trips or just in the school gardens, which is a way to access nature that’s closer to them,” she says. 

Her internship with the Farm to School program reinforced her passion for outdoor education, shaping her goals for the future.

After graduation, Gustafson plans to continue working in education. “This summer, I’m gonna be leading backpacking trips for middle and high schoolers,” she says. She also hopes to teach English in France next year before potentially pursuing a degree in education. 

Her journey with the Farm to School program not only strengthened her love for teaching but has also deepened her commitment to fostering meaningful connections between children and the natural world.

Looking for an Internship Opportunity?

Gustafson learned about the Farm to School internship through Handshake, Whitman’s career services platform. 

She applied while studying abroad in Stockholm, Sweden, and says Whitman’s Career and Community Engagement Center (CCEC) offered long-distance support in applying for a Whitman Internship Grant. “I met with one of the student career advisors in the CCEC and had them look over my application. And that was helpful,” she says. 

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