Connecting with the earth has been a longtime passion for Morgan McKnight. 

Carolyn Nealis grew up in New Jersey with a home vegetable garden. She and her mother would grow as many different kinds of fruits and vegetables as the feeble sunlight in the yard would permit. 

When you’re at Veggielution on Saturday mornings, you will definitely see Jean Louie’s smiling face in the kitchen.

Long time East San Jose residents, Tom and Becky Hammer found their way to Veggielution after reading an article about the farm in Metro, a local newspaper.

15-year-old Joseph Tilahun is a sophomore at Pioneer High.

Pamela has volunteer at the farm for over 2 1/2 years now.

If you haven’t met Ishmael Gallegos yet, you probably haven’t stopped by the Veggielution kitchen on a Saturday workday.  Once a chef who worked in restaurants throughout California, Ishmael can now be found at the farm every weekend, helping to prepare meals for the Saturday potlucks.

Ishmael’s appreciation for cooking started as a child.  His mother taught him to cook while he was only 7, chopping and preparing the ingredients, while Ishmael would mix, stir and cook.  As the oldest of 6 kids, he would often end up cooking for his brothers and sisters as well.  At the age of 17, Ishmael entered the restaurant industry and began working in kitchens to make a living.

Even if it's been a week or two since we've seen Emily around the farm, we know that when June Magnaldi is around our favorite goose will come running. Emily literally follows our resident goose-whisperer around where ever she goes.

June has been helping at Veggielution once or twice weekly since June of 2011, taking the 1 1/2 hour bus ride from Santa Cruz to get here. She's been a Workday Leader for most of that time, and takes the responsibility of educating her volunteers very seriously.

There are several reasons I volunteer at the farm: meeting people of all ages with a like-mind towards out environment and making new friends, getting off of the couch and getting my hands dirty with rewarding outdoor activities. Passing on life-skills I have acquired during the course of my life to those that show an interest. Having a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day and just getting some healthy sunshine and exercise.