Daniella Ocampo began volunteering at our Sugar Hill Farm food pantry garden this year and says the experience has shown her how important it is to love the food we grow.

Eager to reconnect with her environmental roots, Daniella was thrilled to find Westchester Land Trust through the nonprofit Volunteer New York, which connects people to volunteer opportunities. Originally from Colombia, Daniella studied environmental science but hadn’t had the chance to put her skills to use since moving to the U.S. three years ago. Daniella also has a background in gardening from her childhood on small farms and has enjoyed growing unique tomatoes.

“I have experience harvesting and planting,” she said. “I’ve always loved growing my own food, like tomatoes, onions, and other vegetables and fruits that are easy to grow.”

She quickly fell in love with the work, especially the sense of community. “Allison, who runs the farm, is a wonderful leader,” Daniella said. “I’ve learned so much from her.” She also shared that she’s been amazed by the experience of growing food and knowing that the veggies will help local families in need, “It’s awesome to see the whole cycle; from planting a seed to harvesting food that goes to the pantry.” She has also enjoyed trying new vegetables, like orange and pink tomatoes, which were grown at Sugar Hill Farm this season.

Given the growing disconnection between people and the food we eat, Daniella shared how important it is to know what goes into what’s on our plates.

“People should understand how to grow food,” she explained. “Food is the number one way we get energy into our bodies and we don’t always know what kind of chemical or products our food contains. But when you know how to plant, grow, and harvest, you know exact what you are putting into your body.”

For Daniella, volunteering is more than just giving back. It’s also a form of therapy, offering relief from the stresses of life.

“When I’m here, I forget about everything else,” she said. “It’s like a weight is lifted off my shoulders.” She encourages others to try gardening, whether they’re experienced or not. “This is a place for everyone. You grow food, build connections, and feel at peace.”

Daniella values volunteering for personal growth and community service, and she finds it’s a great way to practice her English as a second language. She shared, “I have been learning English for a couple of years, but there is always something new to learn at the farm here. You can also develop new social skills because you are sharing time with people of all ages and all types of backgrounds.”

And the garden isn’t the only place where Daniella dedicates her time and passion to causes she cares about, she also volunteers at a repair café and with Bike New Rochelle. At the repair café, she often fixes jewelry, restoring treasured pieces for people at no cost. Daniella explained that she’s always looking for new ways to help out and is currently exploring volunteer opportunities at local hospitals.

Westchester Land Trust’s work wouldn’t be possible without the passion and dedication of volunteers like Daniella, whose contributions are helping us protect the environment and strengthen the community.

Did You Know: Since its creation in 2012, Sugar Hill Farm has grown more than 80,000 servings of food!