In Blaire's Words: Reflections from our Summer Intern!

At the end of each Internship at Vivant, we ask our student partner to reflect on their experience. What did they learn? What did they discover? What will they take with them? We are posing those words below without edits so that you, as future intern prospects, clients and partners can get to know us just a little more. Happy Reading!

And Best Wishes to Blaire! We know you will plant some amazing seeds wherever you grow :) 

Where did the summer go?! Time certainly moves strangely during these COVID times, but a true highlight of this summer was being able to work outside with Kasey and the rest of the Vivant team. The native plants and edibles were a respite from an otherwise challenging time. It was a summer of being able to connect with vibrant green spaces, and be around people with passions for plants and sustainable landscaping. I learned more than ever about the power of plants and green space in providing people with joy and hope. The care and thought that Kasey and the Vivant team puts into each of their projects is apparent, and the end result is a transformed backyard, full of native and pollinator plants that bring a smile to clients faces...I saw it first hand! It was a pleasure working with a team that loved what they were doing, and I learned so much about plants and sustainable landscaping in the process. 
 
Working with Kasey was much more than assisting with landscaping projects (though that was great!!). It was insight into how her business operates and how she makes decisions and partnerships. I gained valuable information on what it means to start and run your own business, and the thought process behind certain decisions. I also learned how to conduct outreach as a business, and connect with other businesses that share similar philosophies and goals that may want to collaborate. 
 
Perhaps the coolest part of this summer was not only gaining knowledge and experience in a for-profit business, but also being able to understand the operations of a non-profit community garden. Kasey also manages the Montrose Metra Community Garden (MMCG), so my time was split between Vivant and MMCG. Getting to know the space at MMCG was a lot of fun. With 46 vegetable beds, orchards, native shrubs, raspberries, an herb garden and more, this space kept me very busy and surrounded by one of the coolest urban gardens I’ve seen. Learning more about interactions with the community, local government, food pantries and other non-profits was great insight into how a MMCG works for and with the community. It was also a great way to get my hands dirty and familiarize myself with local plants and vegetables. 
 
As the summer comes to a close, I am very grateful to have worked with Kasey, Vivant, and MMCG. Kasey has a true vision to make the city green, healthy, and sustainable, and it was an uplifting and positive way to spend my summer days working with her and her team. I’m very excited to see how Vivant and MMCG grow this fall!
- Blaire Frett, Summer Intern 2020

Interested in joining our team as an intern? Email us at admin@vivantgardens.com to learn more!