What is Green Bean 1?
Green Bean 1 is a team of previous AmeriCorps National Civilian Conservation Corps (NCCC) team leaders who are now working with Urban Thistle Farm and the Casper Housing Authority to support Casper, WY. After AmeriCorps NCCC demobilized on April 15th, 2024, Urban Thistle graciously offered to support a team composed of the recently displaced AmeriCorps members. The former team leaders are now working as Farm Technicians to further the Urban Thistle Farm mission. The team has chosen to dub themselves “Green Bean 1” in honor of the green shirts each AmeriCorps NCCC team leader is required to wear and that this is the first team of its kind (hence the 1).
Fundraiser
Urban Thistle Farm wishes to provide the opportunity for these team members to lengthen their service, in turn benefiting the farm by providing up to 1,200 hours of labor. The previous service program that these Farm Technicians were serving with was expected to span across 10 months, with a graduation date on July 17th, 2025. In order for this extension to be offered, additional funding is crucial. This would guarantee a wage for the farm technicians beyond the six weeks, generously funded by the Zimmerman Family Foundation.
A fundraising campaign has been set up for those who feel compelled to boost the mission of Urban Thistle Farm. The goal of $20,000 has been set in place to host the team for an additional 5 weeks.
“Investing in this project not only furthers the mission of Urban Thistle Farm and the Casper Housing Authority but also invests in our future leaders and public servants and citizens.”
-Drew Tienken, UTF Farm Tech
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Your Money at Work
Your money will directly support the team of Farm Technicians to compensate them for expenses
Donate to help finance Green Bean 1 through the PayPal link below. Make sure to include your address so that you can be properly thanked.
Your donation could also get you a variety of perks:
Any Donation: A handwritten thank you note from the farm techs,
$5: An Urban Thistle Farm sticker,
$25: A picture of the farm tech team whom you are directly supporting,
$100: Your name is included in a donations mural at the farm,
$500: Handmade engraved placard is placed in the garden to recognize your contribution to Urban Thistle Farm's Mission.
Our Story​
Urban Thistle Farm (UTF) welcomed an AmeriCorps team of ten young adults, “Earth 7”, to serve for five weeks in late 2024. During their project, the team accomplished a myriad of tasks including the construction of three geodesic greenhouse domes, installation of fencing around the property, renovation of the former North Casper Elementary School into a community center, mulching of the community garden, helping with Birds n’ Bucks, and so much more.
Urban Thistle was expecting another AmeriCorps team to serve for six more weeks from April to May as a continuation of the previous team’s work. AmeriCorps NCCC was demobilized on April 15th, just three days before the slated team's expected arrival date. All active members were to cease service immediately and return to their home of record, cutting their service year short. Due to the demobilization, within two weeks, all members lost their stipend, benefits, and health insurance. Housing and food funding were cut immediately.
Urban Thistle Farm discovered that the AmeriCorps team that was expected to serve would not be coming through social media. Through quick action, Jamie Purcell, the farm manager, reached out to the previous team leader, Zoe Koch, to offer the opportunity to continue to serve UTF, with housing and an hourly wage provided.
Within 24 hours of the demobilization announcement to AmeriCorps members, Urban Thistle Farm had a tentative team of twelve recently displaced team leaders, ready to continue their service to their country, starting with the community of Casper.
On May 5th, the work began for the first wave of AmeriCorps Team Leaders turned UTF Farm Technicians, with the other four expected to arrive shortly after. Their work entails infrastructure construction for the farm and community center, including skinning the geodesic domes to prepare them for growing produce, laying down irrigation piping around the growing fields, continuing renovation of the community center, and pioneering effective growing methods for maximum crop yields.
This endeavor was made possible by one generous donor providing the financial resources to host the team for six weeks to serve Casper, WY, the Zimmerman Family Foundation.
Who is Green Bean 1?
Zoe
During Zoe’s term with AmeriCorps, she led a team (formally named Earth 7) through three projects. These projects varied in focus area and location; encompassing urban/rural development, construction, and trail restoration. Zoe and her team assisted CHA CARES in jumpstarting the transformation of the North Casper Elementary School property into Urban Thistle Farm - a creative and modern solution for the food desert currently present in the community. Her team moved on to Gypsum, CO where they worked closely with Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley to build affordable housing for local residents. Zoe’s team pushed on to Rogers, AR where they worked alongside Hobbs State Park Conservation area to restore trails and natural areas that had previously been damaged or destroyed by the series of tornadoes and flash floods in the spring of 2024.
Zoe’s educational and experiential background combine various disciplines, such as: psychology, anthropology, outdoor recreation, leadership, and studio art. Following her service with AmeriCorps and Urban Thistle Farm, she plans to continue searching for the best of humanity. This will include non-profit project/program development, environmental protection, community building and engagement, and more. Zoe’s involvement with AmeriCorps and various non-profits has fostered a growing awareness and passion for helping in any meaningful capacity.
David
​David has developed a love for community service through extensive service and leadership experience, which led him to AmeriCorps. Currently, David plans to attend law school so that he can advocate for human rights and environmental justice. AmeriCorps provided extensive leadership, crisis management, and problem solving skills. The program also exposing him to communities and places to which he may never have been introduced that each have unique strengths and problems.
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During his service term, David worked with Borderlands Restoration Network to restore ecosystems in Patagonia, AZ; Clinton State Park to renovate cabins and improve park amenities in Lawrence, KS; and North Carolina Emergency Management to support a multi-agency donations warehouse which managed donations for Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief.
Drew
Drew has spent his early career working in disparate capacities, conducting biogeochemical research for the Environmental Protection Agency, teaching English as a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan, and most recently serving with AmeriCorps. While in AmeriCorps, Drew managed a state-wide donations warehouse in North Carolina for survivors of Hurricane Helene, built miles of hiking trail at Mississippi River State Park in Arkansas, and improved the facilities of an alpaca farm in Great Bend, Kansas.
Following his time with Urban Thistle, Drew plans to pursue a legal education and become a public interest attorney. Drew is an incoming J.D. Candidate at Yale Law School and has broad interests in housing accessibility, environmental sustainability, and civil rights.
Mackenzie
​In Mackenzie’s time with AmeriCorps, she led a team through service at two different state parks in Arkansas, Lake Frierson and Crowley’s Ridge, to increase accessibility of the trail system, remove invasive species, and restore historical buildings. Mackenzie’s team also served the town of Superior, AZ by clearing out a previous dumpsite into the foundation of a future public park, beautifying the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, and constructing a recreational trail at Picketpost Mountain. Her service continued into Maricopa, AZ where her team served at the University of Arizona Pinal County Cooperative Extension, helping to improve 4-H areas and the overall functions of the research farm.
Following her service in and outside of AmeriCorps, Mackenzie plans to obtain a Master’s of Environmental Management. Being able to lead projects in various outdoor settings that focused on environmental stewardship sparked this interest. Therefore, Mackenzie plans to dedicate her professional life to tackling environmental challenges, hoping to work in the voluntary sector to promote service and volunteerism to our Earth.
Lila
​As a team leader and a corps member, the AmeriCorps program provided Lila with a multitude of opportunities to serve the land and people of America. In Patagonia, AZ, Lila worked with Borderlands Restoration Network to repair native ecosystems. Working with the Bureau of Indian Education, Lila assisted in repairing Havasupai Elementary (Supai, AZ) back up to code. As a leader, Lila led her team through park maintenance and enhancement at Lake Charles State Park in Powhatan, AR. Her team then continued their environmental service by rerouting the Chimney Rock Trail with the Carson National Forest and Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. Lastly in Swannanoa, NC, Lila’s team assisted the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) to rebuild multiple homes destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
Lila joined AmeriCorps after completing a degree in Music Education hoping to do something meaningful and gain new perspectives and what she got was so much more than she could have ever dreamed. Although Lila is uncertain what the next step will be, she knows that it will always include helping people.
Delaney
Delaney served in AmeriCorps thrice, first in Class 30A as a Corps Member, then in the Summer of Service Class 30B as a Team Leader, and finally in Class 31A as a Team Leader. Delaney's service spanned across many states; highlights include working with United Way of South Texas in Arkansas & Tulsa, Oklahoma to file income tax returns for low income individuals; managing a state-wide donations warehouse in North Carolina for survivors of Hurricane Helene; renovating a summer camp in Lake Tahoe, California; and many more! Delaney, as a Corps Member and Team Leader, has both participated in and led teams of volunteers all over the country. Outside of AmeriCorps service, Delaney has a passion for volunteerism and exploring the outdoors.
Delaney joined AmeriCorps as a gap year after high school to gain more valuable life experience and travel. She will be attending college this fall to eventually pursue a career in advocacy and human rights in the legal field.
Sydney
Sydney joined Americorps with a background in museum work, archaeology, and public education. During her service term, she repaired trails and cleared invasive species at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood Arizona. From January to April, she worked with United Way of Pueblo County in Colorado to file over 4,500 income tax returns for low income individuals, returning over $4 million to Pueblo residents. She also helped the Rocky Mountain SER Empowerment Center manage several tons of donations to their grocery store style food bank.
By the end of her Americorps term, Sydney had developed a love for service and discovered a passion for food accessibility. Bolstered by experience at multiple food banks and with Urban Thistle, she will continue her career in the nonprofit sector, nourishing communities in any way she can.
Jared
Jared served in AmeriCorps twice, first in Class 30A as a Corps Member and then in Class 31A as a Team Leader. Jared's service spanned across six states; highlights include fighting inner city blight and constructing affordable housing in Kansas City, Missouri; responding to hurricane Helene in North Carolina; supporting youth development and delivering educational programs in Topeka, Kansas; and preparing free low income taxes in the Denver, CO metro area among many more. Jared, as a Corps Member and Team Leader, has both participated in and led teams of volunteers all over the country. Outside of AmeriCorps service, Jared has been volunteering at a local elementary school in his hometown for much of his life.
After finishing service with Urban Thistle Farm, Jared plans to pursue higher education in psychology and become a clinical psychologist. Becoming a therapist has been a lifelong passion for Jared and he hopes his diversity of experiences can one day lead to a stronger and more understanding clinical practice. Jared holds particular interest in holistic psychological care for younger populations transitioning into independence.
Elias
Elias led a team on two service projects in Grand Junction, Colorado, and Prescott, Arizona. In Grand Junction, Elias and his team partnered with the Friends of the Grand Junction Union Depot, an organization dedicated to restoring the city’s historic train station. Built in 1906, it has since fallen into severe disrepair. Among other work, Elias’s team prepared the site for professional restoration by removing debris and preserving historical artifacts found in the building. In Prescott, Elias’s team helped Prescott’s municipal government build and maintain trails, prevent wildfires, mitigate erosion, and conduct environmental education classes for local youth.
After completing a year of service, Elias will apply to law school and matriculate in 2026. He seeks a legal career dedicated to public service and aspires to serve the American public as a federal government lawyer. A desire to serve in a more physical capacity motivated Elias to become an AmeriCorps Team Leader and commit to a year of service before ultimately returning to an office environment.
Kathryn
During her time with AmeriCorps NCCC, Kathryn "Kat" Robinson served as both a Support Team Leader and Field Team Leader. In Denver, CO, Kat worked at The Action Center and supported field teams by coordinating essential operations for team readiness. As a Field TL, she led construction projects on homes affected by natural disasters with The Restoration Team in Houston, TX. In El Paso, TX, with El Pasoans Fighting Hunger and A.Y.U.D.A., Kat and her team contributed to food distribution, mural painting, and urban gardening. Kat and her team also participated in additional service with organizations like Books for Development, Hermann Park Conservancy, Food Not Bombs, the Kelly Center for Hunger Relief, and the Houston Department of Neighborhoods.
Driven by a passion for uplifting historically excluded communities, Kat is committed to a career that promotes equity, justice, and access to opportunity. She is especially interested in working in a legal capacity to support marginalized populations, whether through public interest law, advocacy, or community-based legal aid. While still exploring which degree path best aligns with her goals, Kat is focused on gaining hands-on experience before returning to academics. Long term, she hopes to work at the intersection of law, public service, and social impact to ensure under-served communities are empowered and represented.
Leah
After earning her bachelor’s degree, Leah joined AmeriCorps with the goal of self-discovery through travel, leadership, and hands-on service. During her term, she led a team across two states, overseeing a wide range of community-focused projects.
In New Mexico, her team partnered with Not Forgotten Outreach, Veterans Off-Grid, and El Pueblito Methodist Church’s Shared Table program to promote food security, sustainable housing, and community support - particularly for local veterans. In Arkansas, they worked with the CARE Community Center to provide free tax preparation services to low- to moderate-income individuals and elderly residents.
Through these experiences, Leah discovered a strong interest in project management and operations, and seeks to explore roles in the area of disaster response or humanitarian aid. She remains eager to travel both domestically and internationally and is seeking opportunities that allow her to continue serving a greater need while building on her coordination and leadership skills.
Phoebe
Phoebe first found AmeriCorps NCCC when researching programs for her gap year between high school and college. She came back after 10 years and her BS and MA to be a Team Leader. After AmeriCorps and her work with Casper Housing Authority and Urban Thistle Farm she will be attending law school in hopes of representing artists and their creations. In her free time, Phoebe enjoys throwing pottery on the wheel.
While in AmeriCorps, Phoebe worked with The Action Center in Denver helping to coordinate food distribution from the food pantry; Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri working to revitalize some of the most heavily trafficked hiking trails; and Meadowcreek Inc in Arkansas renovating historic buildings on the property to increase revenue streams.
