Arizona Serve Welcomes New Prescott VISTA Team Leader Audrey Aceves
August 20, 2026 | Written by Audrey AcevesHowdy ya’ll!
I have a simple love of gardening that has grown into a deeper connection with the earth, food, wellness, and community. I believe we are all interconnected, and that the way we care for the soil, grow our food, nourish our bodies, and care for one another shapes the world around us. For me, sustainability and food justice are not simply professional interests, they are part of a larger vision for living more intentionally and in harmony with the natural world.
Volunteer service has been a meaningful part of my journey and a way for me to put my values into practice. During my first AmeriCorps term in 2022, I served as a Garden Specialist with the Prescott Unified School District. I had the opportunity to bring gardening and hands-on learning into the lives of students while helping cultivate school gardens and create meaningful connections between young people, food, and the natural world.
I later served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Green Mountain Center for Sustainability at Prescott College, where I continued to explore my love for sustainability, community, and environmental education. My service experiences have shown me that meaningful change can begin with something as simple as planting a seed, teaching someone how to grow food, or creating a space where people can come together.
I am especially passionate about food justice and creating more equitable relationships with food and the land. I believe everyone deserves access to nourishing food, green spaces, and the knowledge and resources needed to grow and care for themselves and their communities.
At the heart of everything I do is a desire to nurture connection, to the earth, to food, to our bodies, and to one another. I hope to continue cultivating spaces where people can slow down, learn from nature, grow together, and discover that even the smallest seed has the potential to create something beautiful.
For me, gardening is not just about protecting the planet; it is about creating a way of life that allows people, communities, and the earth to flourish together.
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Office: (928) 307-7764
308 Grove Ave.
Prescott, AZ 86301