Today we’d like to introduce you to Corinne Hoffmann.
Hi Corinne, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated from Utah State University with a degree in English – Secondary Education, but chose not to go into teaching and began working at the Utah Department of Health in a clerical role for licensing and certification. Over the years, I worked full-time, reduced to part-time, and finally quit when I had my third child and my family was able to figure out how to finagle me being at home full time.
I was used to being busy and the stay-at-home time with my baby was an adjustment. I loved it, but it was draining and I felt that I was losing myself and anything that was just for me, so I started to learn more about gardening. I was able to take a community class in square foot gardening and there I learned about the Master Gardener program. I waited years until my youngest was in full-time school and then enrolled in the county extension’s Master Gardener program at the USU Botanical Center.
The Master Gardener Program does not mean that you know everything about gardening, but it does help you to learn more about how to learn to garden and where to find research and evidence-based information. You do have in-depth training for 3 hours a week for three months, a few practical labs, and then it is followed with service hours. First-year Master Gardeners are required to serve at least 40 hours to get their Master Gardener certificate. We must donate at least 25 hours of service annually at/to the Botanical Center to keep that certification.
That first year I worked in the gardens, taught some basic gardening classes, volunteered with field trips for school kids, and helped at the USU Botanical Center Farmers Market. I loved all the volunteer experiences and discovered that my teacher training came in handy. I wondered if there were other places I could use those skills and be of help. This led to me finding a job with Weber Basin Water Conservancy District and then Wasatch Integrated Waste Management leading students on tours of those facilities and teaching children about sustainability, recycling, and water conservation. It also led to the management of the farmers market asking me to join the management team at the USU Botanical Center Farmers Market.
I served as an assistant manager at the USU Botanical Center for three years, with two successive wonderful managers. I am very proud that our management team was able to jump through the hoops and keep our market open through COVID. I became the manager of the market this past year. The main reason I love to help with the market is that we run a program that accepts SNAP/EBT and has an incentive program where we are able to provide free produce to those in need and donate a lot of fresh produce to area food pantries.
We were able to triple the amount of food assistance this past year. We also started a program to teach people about the services that the county extension provides and all the learning opportunities that abound at the USU Botanical Center. I am so grateful that I have been given opportunities to help my community and be of service.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It is very rare that anything worthwhile is a smooth road. The year that I started the Master Gardener program I was diagnosed with Epstein Barre Syndrome. I was so tired that I could barely stay awake many days. I found that I had the energy to do what needed to be done at my place when I first served others.
I would go work at the Botanical Center, come home and get chores at home and then I would recover for a couple of days so I could do it again. I have never fully recovered and have chronic fatigue syndrome with a few other fun illnesses that limit me, but I found that I can do what I need to do if I allow myself time to recover after.
The pandemic also hit. We were not sure if Farmers Markets were going to be allowed to be open, there were a lot of limitations placed on us, but we felt that help was needed more at that time than any other. We had big plans to make the market more successful and fun, but we had to settle for putting those plans on hold and just make sure the market was able to survive.
We are moving back to being able to do more at the markets. I do think the current drought and weather conditions are going to make it harder at the markets. This past season we had four major wind events hit during the market, our farmers had their water allotments cut drastically and many of the farmers lost a lot of crops because of having to end the season early.
I am very concerned about my farmers being able to grow to produce this year as we are facing more water shortages.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently work for four companies: USU Botanical Center Farmers Market, Wasatch Integrated Waste Management (the landfill), Weber Basin Water Conservancy District and I contract with South Davis Sewer District.
I conduct field trip tours at the landfill, water treatment facility, and South Davis Sewer District. These companies provide these free field trips to all fifth-grade classes and many ninth-grade science classes in our school district. They also let community groups (scout troops, HOAs, groups of friends) book free tours. I have been conducting tours now for five years.
I love being able to work with children and teach them the ways that we are currently handling our precious resources and help them to think about how we all can do better. I am very knowledgeable when it comes to my tours and I spend a lot of time outside of work to learn everything I can so I can help students learn.
I hope that I am known for being a fair and helpful manager at the market. I love working with our volunteers and helping to build up their confidence in their new roles as Master Gardeners. I try to build great relationships with our vendors and count many as dear friends.
I am proud that we were able to help more people this past year and have been building partnerships with new community organizations that can expand the help we can be.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Don’t be afraid to ask for and accept help. There are people and organizations that are willing to help, they often just don’t know what you need or that you will accept help. When I try to do everything myself, I burn out.
Most people are more than happy to help others but are very uncomfortable accepting help. People are more willing to accept help when they know that it is a reciprocal relationship and they will be given the opportunity to help you as well.
Pricing:
- $5 a week for SNAP-eligible food booth.
- $0 a week for agricultural (mostly produce) booth.
Contact Info:
- Email: usubcfarmersmarket@gmail.com
- Website: https://extension.usu.edu/botanicalcenter/farmers-market/index
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usubcfarmersmarket
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usubcmarket
