Hello!

My name is Maryama Ulusow, and I’m a Master’s student in Child and Youth Care at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).  I’m excited to be involved with the farm and learn more about its connection with TMU, particularly the work of Dr. Julian Hasford.

While my background isn’t specifically in food justice, I’m a dedicated lifelong learner and eager to expand my knowledge in this area, as well as continue developing my expertise in child and youth care.  I bring nearly three years of experience working with diverse communities in Etobicoke, Keelesdale-Eglinton West, and Mount Dennis, including my own community, through placements and employment.  Currently, I also work as a teaching assistant at TMU.

As a placement student with the Farm Education/Urban Harvest team, I’m currently contributing to the planning and execution of our traveling curriculum and field trips in the Jane/Finch neighborhood.  While balancing my academic schedule this semester, I’m eager to take on a more substantial role in outreach and program implementation once classes conclude.  I’m particularly drawn to the opportunity this placement provides to connect with learners of all ages, teaching them about the origins of their food and the vital role land plays in our communities.  It’s incredibly rewarding to be outdoors and share the importance of farm education and urban harvesting.

I’m passionate about bringing stories to life through various media.  I love capturing moments with my phone and computer, transforming them into engaging videos and photos. Recognizing the importance of social media for any organization, I’m eager to collaborate with the team to create visually stunning content that truly captures the essence of our work.

Beyond visuals, I’m also a writer with a blog where I explore my thoughts and feelings, crafting narratives that resonate.  I’m multilingual, fluent in some languages and conversational in others, including French and Somali.  I believe food is a powerful way to connect with different cultures, and I’d love to share Somali cuisine, offering a delicious taste of my heritage.

I’m thrilled to join an organization dedicated to ensuring that food is recognized as a fundamental human right, accessible and affordable for everyone.