trevordayschool

Matthew Leon '96 Sustainable Farmer My experience as a Day School student was so well rounded and balanced that it afforded a Manhattan youth the ability to find a career in organic farming. When I look back, my early years there had everything a young boy could desire in a daily ritual: a homeroom group that nurtured each young mind, and a host of classes of every type that broadened my mental horizons. It provided adult attention to every student, each with their own learning style (which were scrupulously developed). In all respects, this school challenged every bit of my being—not only my mind, but my body and spirit as well. e Day School gave equal opportunity to each student, regardless of their strengths or weaknesses. Because I was a visual and dynamic learner, art and physical education were my favorite subjects. I learned about stamina while playing soccer in the cold rain and learned how to push my mind and body through hardships. In art classes, I was given a chance to practice moving my hands to manifest the images or glass pieces needed to complete my work. is has been especially useful as I create plans for my new farm and lay out where the structures will be, to maximize its efficiency as a working farm. Visiting Putney, VT, and helping with farm chores gave a city boy the rare opportunity to milk a cow, feed the pigs, and collect eggs. I loved it. e images and earthy smells of straw, milk—and, of course, slop. e open space, big fields, leaves falling, and a big bouncy ball— what's not to love?! Experiences such as these were crucial, because they showed me that not every student needs to excel at all of the most classic subjects. Some of us have futures in other directions and need formative experiences in a wide variety of situations to realize that vocation. When I left e Day School and went to Earlham College, I attended a wilderness education course, and a month of Outward Bound. My excitement for outdoor education grew with each semester, and so did my connection to the land and the small farm on campus. Biology also became more fascinating, 4 5 T R E V O R D AY S C H O O L n W I N T E R 20 1 8 – 2 0 1 9 as it explains the complicated web of life that I encountered on my wilderness adventures. During a semester abroad, I traveled throughout the deserts of the South- west United States and down into Mexico. When I returned from that trip, I realized that I did not want to continue at Earlham—mainly because I did not know what area of study I wanted to pursue. During my leave of absence, I held jobs that paid the rent, and moved to Steamboat Springs, CO; Portland, OR; and Alta, UT, among other places. I spent winters skiing and summers rock climbing and working in Portland. Most importantly, I met my future wife, who had grown up raising a farmers market garden in northern California, and had an array of other farming and wildlife experience. After Corinne graduated from college, we moved to her parents' home in California, and grew a vegetable and flower garden— the produce from which we could sell at

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