Hello! My name is Georgia D’Aguilar, and I’m a placement student from Humber Polytechnic. I recently completed my work experience at Black Creek Community Farm, and it’s been an unforgettable and transformative journey.

Learning in the Field

My placement focused on community outreach, particularly through the planning and delivery of workshops related to food waste reduction and local farming. I had the opportunity to assist in executing various events, from preparing soup for families at our PA Day gathering to leading a pickling workshop for parents at St. Charles Garnier Catholic School.

One of my proudest moments was planning and delivering my own workshop on Reducing Food Waste, guided by my amazing supervisor, Mildred Agsaoay.

Applying the Theory

My key learning goals were to put into practice the skills I’ve been taught at Humber Polytechnic. These included:

• Applying health promotion fundamentals—engaging, educating, and empowering the community
• Designing age-appropriate workshops
• Teaching sustainable practices like composting, pickling, and proper food storage to reduce waste

I’m happy to say I met—and exceeded—these goals! I worked with both children and adults, tailoring each workshop to be hands-on, practical, and fun. I also used my culinary skills to prepare food for events and discovered a new passion for creating presentation visuals that grab attention and enhance learning.

Discovering New Skills

Before this placement, I relied on others to create presentation materials. Now, I’ve discovered a creative side I didn’t know I had! I’ve volunteered to design two visual display boards on reducing food waste and composting that will be used in future workshops. It feels great to know my work will continue to make an impact even after I’ve left.

Learning from the BCCF Team

Working alongside Mildred and LeeAnn, I gained invaluable insights into how to engage children in environmental topics using real props like fruits, vegetables, and red wiggler worms. Their ability to create workshops that were both educational and exciting was inspiring. Watching children light up with curiosity and ask to visit the farm showed me just how powerful these moments of learning can be.

I also had the chance to co-present in schools, assist with event logistics, and help prepare for Soup Day on February 14, 2025. These experiences deepened my understanding of what it takes to run effective community programs.

Overcoming Challenges

One standout challenge was traveling to the farm during a February snowstorm to finish a project. My supervisor adjusted our schedule to keep us safe while still ensuring the work was done. It reminded me that adaptability and resilience are just as important as planning.

A Deeper Purpose

This placement strengthened my passion for empowering others to help themselves. It showed me how collaboration with community members is essential to successful projects, and how food insecurity can impact everything, from health to learning outcomes in children.

I now understand that reducing food insecurity requires the involvement of all stakeholders. Educating children about food systems and sustainability is especially powerful—they’re eager to learn and bring their enthusiasm home, creating ripples of change.

Moving Forward

Black Creek Community Farm gave me the space to apply my knowledge in marketing, nutrition, food safety, health promotion, and more. I’ve grown both professionally and personally.

I now feel more committed than ever to becoming a community-based health promoter, using education, creativity, and practical tools to inspire healthier, more sustainable choices.

I’m incredibly grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you to the entire BCCF team from my first interview with Ohemaa to working side-by-side with the outreach team, it’s been a season I’ll always carry with me.