MANDAN, N.D. (KFYR) – Brooklyn Miller, a senior at Mandan High School (MHS) and a recipient of a national Future Farmers of America grant, has created a unique way to tackle community issues such as hunger and mental health through gardening. At MHS, Brooklyn tends to a mini greenhouse, using the power of plants to positively impact the lives of students, staff, and community members.
Brooklyn is passionate about providing resources that address both hunger and mental health, particularly in the context of North Dakota’s long winters, which can often lead to seasonal depression. “In North Dakota, during the winter, we can kind of all feel that seasonal depression, and plants are proven to improve that,” she explains. “One of the things is also hunger. If anyone is struggling with hunger in our community, we want to aim to provide resources for them to grow their own food at home for free, of course.”
Brooklyn distributes plants and seeds each month, offering them to students, staff, and community members. Along with each seed or plant, she provides care instructions and a description of its health benefits. Her goal is to empower others to grow their own food or plants, fostering a sense of accomplishment and connection to nature while addressing pressing community needs.
Dan Driessen, MHS Career and Technical Education Director, commends Brooklyn for her leadership. “We want to wish her the best. She’s a senior, so, you know, we’re going to miss her when she leaves, and we’re going to miss her leadership. But we also see some of those students behind her that—she’s a role model. She’s modeling the right behavior, and we see students following in her path.”
As she prepares to graduate, Brooklyn hopes to pass on the care and responsibilities of the greenhouse and her home garden to another student, ensuring that her efforts to promote mental well-being and provide food resources will continue to benefit the Mandan community for years to come.
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