What is the Inspire plot?
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This is a private plot shared by multiple members who maintain and share the produce from the plot. The Inspire plot was founded in March 2017 by Nicole Vital. The plot gives members (who otherwise wouldn't have the time and/or experience to be able to maintain a plot on their own) a chance to work with other gardeners to learn about gardening. The Inspire Plot holds work parties with INSPIRE to help maintain the plot.
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Who works on the Inspire plot?
The inspire plot is shared by over 20 relocated partners. The plot is a safe place where people can learn from and support one another. The Inspire plot was made possible through the hard work of people from around the world. This interactive map shows the nationalities of our Inspire plot members.
Who runs the Inspire Plot?
The Inspire Plot is run by the Inspire Plot Council. A group of key members who vote on what and where to grow items on the Inspire plot. We meet to discuss what changes should be made on the plot and how we can better include all our members.
Inspire Plot Council
Niki Vital
Manager & Founder |
I moved to the Berkeley Area from Germany in 2016. I was very fortunate to spend the last number of years living, working and studying across Asia, Africa and Europe. I enjoyed my time abroad and when I returned I wanted to help others who are new to my country, like I was helped so many times before. I hold a joint Masters in Social Sciences from the University of Freiburg, Germany and the University of Cape Town, South Africa. My Master's research analyzed policy on and perceptions of Genetically Modified Crops in India. My interactions with farmers while conducting research in India along with influences from Switzerland and Germany gave me a passion for growing my own produce. Therefore, the Inspire plot brings together two of my passions: Working with an international team and helping to build a more sustainable future. I hope that the inspire plot serves as a space to build new bonds, to learn a life skill and help reduce our carbon footprint.
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Suma Karanam
Assistant Manager Suma has a Masters degree in mathematics and has taught undergraduate math to both arts and science students for five years at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Suma is very passionate about music - she has received formal training in vocal Indian music from her childhood and in addition has been learning to play the violin in the Indian classical style for the last eight years. She relocated to Berkeley in March 2017 from Bangalore, India as a Haas partner and continues to learn and teach violin playing in the Indian classical form. She also volunteers as a committee member of the University Village community garden and Nature Village (a club promoting sustainable living practices in the village). She found the Inspire plot a great way to expand her horizons from container gardening and to meet a diverse and socially engaged group of people in a new city.
Srilakshmi Anand
Inspire Kids Coordinator Srilakshmi Anand is originally from Tamil Nadu, the southern part of India. She is an Electronics Engineer and worked at some multinational firms before calling Berkeley home. Knowing the transcending powers of education and loving children a lot, she has been helping the tiny species with 3 R’s, since the time she is here. She is the founder of a playgroup for kids called Totally Tots. She is a VRA board member also serves as a treasurer. She is also into cooking expeditions and is at the very heart an incurable and, at times, an insane foodie. She conducts cooking workshops for our village residents. She holds a position of Event Associate and VRA coordinator at INSPIRE (network for relocated partners) and a volunteer in Nature Village (a club promoting sustainable living practices). She loves gardening and found that INSPIRE plot offers a great way to work with gardeners from different nationalities and learn about plants specific to the bay regions and its uses.
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Chimi Wangmo
INSPIRE Events coordinator Chimmi is from Thimphu, Bhutan. She holds a BBA and Masters in Public Policy from South Korea. Currently, she is an online Overseas Marketing Officer for Smile Bhutan Tours, a tourism company based in Bhutan. After being relocated to Berkeley in mid-2016, she became an Event Associate at INSPIRE, a tutor at Reading Partners, and an associate/volunteer at Nature Village. She spends her leisure time gardening in the community garden, feeding homeless cats, and volunteering wherever she can. Being from a country that practices organic & sustainable farming, she realized she can share the same experience with the UC Village residents. She believes that gardening is one of the ways of being close to nature and appreciating it. Her message to the village residents is: “we can make our own food and not only buy them”.
Elena
Inspire Kids Coordinator TBA
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Special thanks to the University Village Residents Association & the Berkeley Food Institute for helping support the Inspire plot
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Inspire plot membership required
Want to become an Inspire Plot member?
To join Inspire plot you do not need to be a member of INSPIRE but you do need to be a University Village Resident. The Inspire Plot was created to give relocated partners a chance to develop a new skill. If you are a relocated partner that wants a chance to learn a new hobby with a great international team please fill out the member request form below.
