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Community Farmers Market Volunteer Feature: Christy Serafini-Sheffield

Christy Serafini-Sheffield volunteering at a mobile farmers market.

By Community Farmers Market, communityfarmersmarketbg.com
Friday, March 27th, 2015 10:00 AM CST

Community Farmers Market is a volunteer driven market.  Over the last five years our farmers, artists, customers and community partners have benefited from the hard work and commitment of our loyal volunteers.  From putting out signs to working the market booth, representing the farmers and artists at public events and pursuing new opportunities to create better food access-our entire community benefits from their efforts.  Today, we would like to feature current volunteer Christy Serafini-Sheffield.
Christy (left) with volunteer Lacey Murphy (right)
-How did you begin volunteering at CFM?

I started volunteering at CFM as a means for connection. I had just sent my very best friend off to the big NYC to work at a market there. She had volunteered at CFM. She was working at another market. I wanted something on which to connect with her when we talked. The other draw was CFM’s outreach efforts. I have a social work background. I have a heart for helping people. CFM did that, and continues to do that. I wanted to be apart of that and thought I had a skill set that could contribute to such efforts.
-How is CFM different than other organizations? CFM is the least hierarchal organization of which I’ve been apart. I’m so pleased to serve with a group of people that has a heart for helping, lifting others above themselves, and even by doing so…succeeding beyond measure.
 
-What have you learned while volunteering at CFM?
I’ve learned SO much about people, nature, and food. I first tried a turnip @ CFM. I learned that berries aren’t actually available year round in this climate, and really the berries in the store in November are SO not like a locally picked, seasonally grown berry!! I learned that the ground around us actually knows what our bodies need to survive during each season. During the winter, we need extra starchy veggies to keep us insulated and warm. During the summer, we need a super juicy watermelon to cool us down and provide extra fluid to our bodies! I’ve learned that people are generally good. Each of us has a common humanity, need for food, and need for community. I’ve learned that even when best friends move away, new friendships can be forged…and new relationships can offer growth and community different than perhaps what was known before.
-How has CFM created new opportunities in your life?
Ha! This is the funniest thing—it’s created an abundance of opportunity for me and SO many. The market, the community there, has encouraged such a large group of its own to follow their dreams. The market was a chrysalis offering rebirth for me. It helped me to understand limits, strengths, and dreams. I decided to go in a different career direction when these things became clearer to me. Ultimately, I realized helping people experience a better quality of life (whatever they perceive that to be) is my passion. I love problem solving. I love organizing. I love efficiency. And, I love sincerity & connection. Helping people experience all these things is now what I hope to devote my career to—my 9 to 5. The market helps me do that, and is building me up to take flight into other arenas wherein I can do the same.
Christy (right) with CFM’s first volunteer Brittany Ryan (left)

Community Farmers Market is a year-round market featuring over 50 vendors with a variety of local foods and handcrafted items. The Market also regularly offers cooking demonstrations, folk school classes and live music. Hours are Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and Tuesdays from 2-6 p.m. It is located at 2319 Nashville Road next to the WKU Store. For information about Community Farmers Market BG, visit www.communityfarmersmarketbg.com.

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