LBCC's busiest bee, Miriam Edell

Edell is one busy bee in the classroom, in the greenhouses and on the farm.  With a ready smile, she offers help and support to students and faculty regarding horticulture and crops sciences.

Mariam Edell in the greenhouse talking and touching
the tomato plants.  Edell believes touching the plants
makes them stronger.

Over three years ago, LBCC hired a friendly and vivacious assistant instructor for the Agricultural Sciences.  Miriam Edell brought with her a passion for sustainable gardening and healthy food.  She is contracted with the college to work 20 hours a week during Fall, Winter and Spring terms.  Her main responsibilities is to support the Agricultural Sciences, to make the college grounds beautiful, and supply produce for the college’s Culinary Arts program, though that does not stop her from donating personal time to pass on her passion for providing information for sustainable and healthy living.

“She is passionate about her work and the importance of sustainable and healthy food and how to integrate it into our lives,” said Stefan Seiter, Agricultural Sciences Department Head.  “We are very lucky to have her.”

Besides managing the greenhouses, Edell works with Seiter to run the farm.  She supervises the work study students, interns and practicum students who tend the greenhouses, the farm, the Green Roof, and gardens in the Courtyard and around the main greenhouse.

The agriculture students appreciate Edell's passion and enthusiasm for ornamental and edible gardening and her willingness to always offer guidance.  She is a great example of living what she preaches.

"Miriam is great!  She is a fountain of knowledge and loves sharing what she knows with whoever wants to learn.  She walks the talk," says Melissa Brunson, a LBCC Agriculture Science student.

Working in the classroom, Edell assists the faculty in planning and purchasing materials for the Agricultural Sciences.  Co-instructing several classes, she is looking forward to instructing her own class in Greenhouse Management next year.  

Edell is the liaison with the Culinary Arts program, arranging for produce grown on the farm and greenhouses to be harvested and cleaned for the use in the cafeteria and restaurant.  She also works with the Horticulture Club to tend the gardens around the campus.  Another passion she has is organizing the annual plant sale, the summer’s farmers market on campus, and the booth at LBCC’s Sustainability Fair.

“She is really engaged on campus – really more than some of the full-time staff," said Seiter.

LBCC's busy bee, Miriam Edell.

With what appears boundless energy and passion driven, Edell volunteers to make the world a healthier and happy place.  She teaches container gardening to the staff and participates in the Bicycle to Work team.  Her passion for gardening and exercise directs her life, to live by example and give her time to educate and provide healthy opportunities to those she interacts with every day.

Offering advice to students and gardeners alike, Edell says “Get as much hands-on experience that you can.  It is hands-on work.” 

During the summer, she is hired to supervises the farm and the interns, special studies students, and the practicum students, coordinating three different course requirements.  Helping with project classes, she also offers lectures on the farm about organic and sustainable gardening.

“I love my job.  My life is gardening, exercising, eating healthy and sleeping,” said Edell.

 At a Glance
Who: Miriam Edell, Assistant Instructor
What: Supervisor for LBCC's work study students, Manages the LBCC's Greenhouse and farm, Coordinator and liaison with the Culinary Arts, Linn-Benton Community College
Interests: Organic gardening, biking, and eating sustainable foods
Passion: Sharing her knowledge to help other live healthier and more sustainable
Email: edellm@linnbenton.edu