Living Earth Center is excited to introduce our new Youth Education and Program Manager, Maisie Johnson.  Maisie has been a long-time volunteer with LEC, and we are pleased to be able to bring her on board in an official capacity.  We sat down with Maisie to have a little “get to know you chat” to introduce her to you, our LEC Community.  So, if you see her at an event or in the Gardens be sure to say hello and make her feel welcome!

LEC: Can you introduce yourself, share a little about your background and what brought you to want to work with LEC?

MJ: Hiya! My name is Maisie Johnson! I’m born and raised in Minnesota, which you’d probably guess as soon as you hear my accent! I moved to Mankato a few years ago and have stayed because of the people and the community I’ve built and a big part of that is due to LEC. I started volunteering a couple years ago and have met so many cool and kind people who also love working outside! 

I love that the Living Earth Center is filling the needs of the community by connecting people to local food and I’m excited to be a part of it!

LEC: Is there anything in particular part of the job that you are especially excited about? and why?

MJ: This position is a wonderful merging of my passion for working with kids and local food. Some of my favorite memories are from spending time outside playing in dirt and I think all kids deserve to have that opportunity!

LEC: When you are not working for LEC what types of things do you enjoy doing?

MJ: I love biking, reading, and hiking! This time of year, most of my days are spent outside.

I’m a big fan of hibernating in the winter and that’s when I like to work on my sewing, embroidery, block printing, and other crafty projects like that! 

LEC: Anything else you would like to share?

MJ: I have my own plot up at the garden this year so I’ll be spending a lot of time up there in addition to the classes I teach! I also work seasonally at Cedar Crate farm (come say hi at the Mankato farmer’s markets!) and at the city animal impound.