Even if you are from the same neighborhood as someone else, you might still be coming from different places. Where you are from is a complicated question and it elicits complicated, but interesting and thought-provoking responses. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Sofia Adinolfi | Farmers Market Manager

I was born in Manhattan, Kansas and raised in Overland Park, Kansas. Ironically, growing up in Kansas, one of the country’s most bountiful food producing states, I never felt more disconnected from the food system. Most of the people I grew up around were not talking about eating local or the importance of growing food and I don’t think I could have told you how organic vegetables were different than conventionally grown vegetables until college. Read more>>

Crystal Deichert LPC | Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Born and raised in North Dakota, I was brought up as a good Catholic. Values of working hard and doing for others were instilled throughout my childhood. While many of these values remain important to me today, the way I show them in my everyday life has changed drastically. In my 30’s I experienced a shift in the way that I view the world, and my spirituality came front and center. I am now a recovering catholic, who works on managing feelings of guilt, shame, and the obligations of things I “should” do in my life. I also help my clients with this struggle in their own lives. Read more>>

Elizabeth Myers | Hoop Love Coach & Fire Performer

I was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. My upbringing had a tremendous impact on my life as it was pretty traumatic to say the least. I’ve always searched for an outlet that allowed me to heal and bring me joy. Picking up a hoop for the first time did both of those things. I started hooping in 2016, I was working at Goodwill at the time and I would come across all kinds of hula hoops that were donated. I thought they looked pretty and fun so I would play with them at work and take some home. Read more>>

Abby Henry | Pet Photographer

I’m originally from Salina, Kansas. My family has always instilled in me the importance of animals and nature. As long as I can remember, we have had pets, and these pets have always been an enormous part of my life. I mean, my first word was “kitty” after all! As a child, you could usually find me playing with one of my pets or outside in the yard climbing trees or catching bugs. Read more>>

Toby Cote | Artist and Art Studio owner and formerly – Information Technology Application Developer,

I am from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. I have lived here all my life, except for 4 years when I moved to Calgary, Alberta, met my future husband, then we both moved back to Saskatchewan as that is where our families were from. Family matters most. Its important, they are your lifeline, your support and a grounded-ness for where you belong. Read more>>