We recently connected with Christina Gonzales and have shared our conversation below.

Christina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?

One of my favourite stories to dates is how I became a gardener, amongst the many other amazing things I am.

First I’d like to give you a timeline, back to when I was still a child growing up gardening alongside my grandparents who were farm workers (during a time when skipping the first few weeks of kindergarten to work was the most important things to do to keep the family clothed and fed), how revolutionary is that? Well, from learning about how my great grandparents and their families would camp out near the apricots, cantaloupes and swarming wasp hives each summer, I learned that gardening was much more than just growing farm fresh produce, it was about community. And if there was one thing about community I could remember, it was about a soaring feeling deep within, stretching out for miles and miles and miles in all directions.

I bet you’d never guess that I was homeschooled for 9 1/2 years, went to an all girls Catholic high school and then went to a private university Majoring in Environmental Science with a Minor in Music. Or that I went to South Africa to discover my love of botanical research for my senior project. Or, that I went on to feed my passions which legislation approvals to get more accessible parks in Los Angeles county RED ZONES back in 2016. Or how that following year I had a sit down ecological conversation with the Treasurer of California alongside my Frogtown friends such as Scotty from FOLAR. What a time to enjoy with my new community. Oh, and it didn’t stop there. I went on to develop more friendships with professors, deans, gardeners, musicians, artists, engineers, city safety officials, community leaders and much more – and the best part, we all loved gardening! Wow, how amazing could life be. I’ll tell you what happened next! So, I was interning with Los Angeles Community Garden Council in communications marketing & social media art and I met so many more amazing gardening enthusiast professionals there was no time to be wasted.

One day *ding* — *ding* I received two emails with two very different but similar messages for two HUGE projects and I knew what I had to do – I had to say YES! One was for cleaning up the walkways and streets to increase safety for the elderly, the toddlers and the families with a free community botanical garden (First Nation Storytellers). And one was to create a free hospital-housed community garden for pediatric families(Edible Healing Garden). Needless to say it was hard work, sometimes just two of us(for either site), seldom more, and majority of the time, alone. The days passed as we shoveled and raked, watered and baked in the sun but we persisted. And soon the community joined in and they loved what we were doing with the place.

A few years have passed since we broke ground, and we have garnered the support of our USC KECK Med Students, La General Social Workers, Nurses, Doctors, and patients all ready to enjoy the gardening community and learn more. We have received donation after donation which helped us drive the message home to our communities. We are honoured by LA Sanitation, UC Master Gardeners, LADWP, Kellogg, Renee’s Garden, local community gardens, LGM Soil and Amendments, Lettuce Grow, Gardyn, Alizah’s Construction, Little Free Indigenous Library, L.A. Works and many more amazing people along the way. And within those few years, we also found ourselves joining forces where community needs met fate and thrived because of it.

Christina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Chumash, Tongva, Gabrielino Southern California Native American Woman living in Southern California. I enjoy gardening and engineering, teaching and learning. I am currently in a PHD Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine program and am also a clinical technician, president, dean and director.

I have a passion for increasing community beautification via help from my city, state and federal officials and know that my work is seen, heard and appreciated by everyone who I have the pleasure to meet.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Certainly! One particular story that highlights my resilience is the experience of breaking ground and establishing the community botanical garden. It was a monumental task, with limited resources and often just a small team, if not just myself, working on the project.

I vividly remember the days spent shoveling, raking, watering, and enduring the scorching sun. It was physically demanding work, but the vision of creating a safe and vibrant space for the community kept me going. Despite the challenges and occasional feelings of being overwhelmed, I persisted.

In those early days, it was just a handful of us working tirelessly to transform the area into two beautiful gardens. However, word started to spread, and soon the community took notice of our efforts. They began to join us, volunteering their time and resources to help bring the gardens to life. This outpouring of support was incredibly inspiring and reinforced the importance of our mission.

As time went on, more and more people from various backgrounds joined our cause. We received donations from organizations like LA Sanitation, UC Master Gardeners, LADWP, and many others who believed in the power of community gardens. Their support not only provided us with the necessary resources but also served as a reminder that we were making a difference in people’s lives.

Looking back, the establishment of the community botanical garden was a true testament to resilience. It showcased the power of determination, perseverance, and the ability to rally a community around a shared vision. Despite the obstacles we faced, we never gave up, and the result was a thriving garden that brought joy, education, and a sense of belonging to all who visited.

Any advice for managing a team?

1. Communication: Establish open and transparent communication channels within the team. Encourage regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and provide a platform for team members to share their ideas, concerns, and feedback. Effective communication helps build trust, fosters collaboration, and keeps everyone informed and engaged.

2. Recognition and Appreciation: Recognize and appreciate the efforts and achievements of your team members. Celebrate milestones, acknowledge individual and team contributions, and provide regular feedback. Genuine recognition and appreciation boost morale, motivation, and create a sense of value and belonging within the team.

3. Clear Goals and Expectations: Set clear goals, objectives, and expectations for the team. Ensure that each team member understands their role, responsibilities, and how their work contributes to the overall team and organizational goals. Clarity in goals helps in aligning efforts and provides a sense of purpose, which enhances morale and productivity.

4. Empowerment and Autonomy: Empower your team members by giving them autonomy and the opportunity to make decisions and contribute their ideas. Encourage innovation, creativity, and ownership of their work. When team members feel trusted and empowered, it boosts their confidence, job satisfaction, and morale.

5. Professional Development: Support the professional growth and development of your team members. Provide opportunities for learning, training, and skill enhancement. Show a genuine interest in their career aspirations and help them pursue their goals. Investing in their development not only enhances their capabilities but also demonstrates your commitment to their growth, which can have a positive impact on morale.

6. Work-Life Balance: Encourage a healthy work-life balance among team members. Promote flexibility, offer support during challenging times, and encourage self-care. Recognize and respect the personal boundaries of team members. When employees feel supported in balancing their personal and professional lives, it leads to higher job satisfaction, well-being, and increased morale.

7. Team Building and Collaboration: Foster a sense of camaraderie and collaboration within the team. Organize team-building activities, encourage cross-functional collaboration, and create opportunities for team members to connect and bond. Strong team dynamics and positive relationships contribute to a supportive and high-morale work environment.

Contact Info:

• Website: Ediblehealinggarden.org
• Instagram: @ediblehealinggarden , @firstnationstorytellers