I’ve always been a bit obsessed with food. Even as a child, I constantly wanted to know what we would eat next for our next meal, where it came from, and how to make it. If someone was kneading bread or canning tomatoes, I was there to witness it happening and help whenever possible.

One of my daily chores during the summer was watering the garden. I didn’t know much about growing food or plant care, but the time spent tending our garden was formative. Quiet moments daydreaming between the rows of corn and tomatoes were educational. Insects buzzed from one plant to the next, pollinating each as they collected their nectar. Magic happened overnight as plants bolted several inches while I was asleep. We never had much, but growing some of our food helped ensure we never went hungry.