Dear friends,

Though it is grossly cold outside, I am starting to plan my summer. And
this summer, like the last six summers, I am faced with the same
challenge: I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO GROW VEGETABLES.

I have tried:

--joining my local community garden
--connecting with friends who have upstate farms
--researching volunteer positions with the NYC parks department
--applying for internship positions upstate
--growing stuff on the fire escape

None of these paths have worked out. Basically, I need space, dirt, and
advice. A mentor would be ideal.

I'm not trying to blame the world here. If I participated in car culture,
or was able/willing to forgo income all summer, I probably could have done
this already. But it seems indicative of larger urban planning and social
priority issues if someone as resource-rich and enthusiastic as I cannot
make this come together, summer after summer after summer.

I strongly welcome any thoughts or advice or people to talk to you might
suggest. Thanks so much.

MAX