Margaret Stern

Houston, TX

What has been your favorite class at COA? Why?
My favorite class at COA has definitely been Gardens and Greenhouses. It was a wonderful chance to be outside getting my hands dirty all while doing something I really love. The final project of designing a garden and devising a rotation scheme was so much fun and forced me to encounter a new kind of problem solving.

What classes have you taken at COA?
World Percussion
Gardens and Greenhouses
Contemporary Culture of Maine Organic Farmers
Philosophy of Science
Biology I
Ballet I
Writing Seminar II
Agroecology
Human Ecology Core Course
Fermentation Group Study

What was your favorite lesson/lecture/discussion/project at COA? Why?
My favorite project at COA was a team project making tempeh. It was a final project for Biology I. I think it was such a great project because my team learned to apply the process of fermentation to something nutritious and absolutely delicious.

What is your dream occupation?
In an ideal world, I would own a cafe and shop for local artists to sell their wares. I would grow vegetables in the back, host small acoustic get-togethers, movie nights, and cooking classes, and have a huge book swap. Yes, in an ideal world.

What do you see yourself doing after COA?
After COA, I see myself spending an indeterminate amount of time traveling around. I don't know where, I don't know how, but I think I would like to spend time having no home or place to 'hang my hat.'

What country or state would you like to visit? Where would you love to live?
I want to go to Eastern Europe- particularly Poland. I want to see the last of the fairy-tale European forests. I want to live on the outskirts of Austin, Texas. Austin has such an incredible live music scene, and the hiking and wildlife surrounding the city is pretty incredible.

What is happiness to you?
Curling up with a book, a cup of tea, and my dog.

Have you had an internship? If so, doing what? Where? If not, what are your plans, if any, for your internship?
I have not. I would like to work with the Rhizome Collective in Austin, Texas to create sustainable urban environments. I think I would like to focus on urban agriculture in this setting.

What is your favorite food to eat? What is your favorite thing to cook?
My favorite food to eat would be anything spicy. You know, the kind of food that makes your eyes run and clears those sinuses. What can I say? I'm a Texas girl. I love baking bread. Nothing in the world smells better, especially when you add hand roasted chilies.

What do you like to do when you're not doing school work?
My favorite thing to do is explore new trails and patches of woods with my dog. I like being in the woods around sunset because you begin to hear all of the birds. When I'm inspired, I build fairy houses. Other than that, I read, spin, knit, bake, and spend time with friends.

What is/are your favorite flower(s)?
Bird of Paradise

What is/are your favorite animal(s)?
Octopus!

What came first, the chicken or the egg?
The egg. Duh.

What is the motto you like to live by?
Go outside every day. It will keep you connected.

Why did you choose to come to COA?
I chose to come to COA because I wanted to be at a place that was small enough to know my teachers but that also offered classes in everything I am interested in.

What do you like to study?
My favorite thing to study is probably ecology. I love learning about how organisms interact.

Who are your favorite writers? Poets?
My favorite writers are Tom Robbins, Kurt Vonnegut, HS Thompson, and Dostoevsky.

Who are your favorite artists? Musicians?
My favorite bands are Ween and the Grateful Dead.

Who is your favorite fictional hero?
Edward Abbey's George Washington Hayduke. He cracks me up, even though he is not really supposed to be funny.

Who is your hero today?
My grandfather, Bill Barnett.

What do you value most in your friends?
I value friends who are accepting and open to new ideas and people, who will be up front about their feelings, and who are willing to go on any adventure.

What do people say is your most marked characteristic?
I often hear that I am extremely easy-going, but will make myself heard when something really rubs me the wrong way.

What is your least favorite spice?
Fennel

Do you have anything cool or unique you would like to share?
Slime molds are amazing.