This is how we change the world. Start with believing in new things. Ellery
Welcome to the 2025 MenTerns Portfolio
Amaya: The original MenTern
Amaya started at Mezzacello Urban Farm in our 2023 camp. It was immediately obvious that Amaya was a natural leader.
In fact, the MenTern program was designed to create more Amayas in the world.
Trust them, train them, empower them to see the path forward.
“I have been wrong before, so I know what it feels like to be wrong. It’s important to know how to win and lose.” - Amaya
This was the right choice.
Amaya trained 15 menterns here and ran an entire Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Silver progrm here at Mezzacello. She created 12 different design challenges that are still in rotation. Amaya brings receipts, and Mezzacello aims to change the world with them.
Programs and Design Challenges:
AI in Ag
Leadership Explained
Leadership Roulette
Sustainability in Ag
How We Recycle
Water Cycles
Purification 101
Waste Management
How To Create a Video
Making Shelters
Quantum Effects in Nature
Media Mentality
Maxwell: The Next Leader
Maxwell started at Mezzacello Urban Farm in our 2024 camp. It was immediately obvious that he was a cleverand natural leader.
In fact, the MenTern program was ready for more of Maxwell in the world.
Trust them, train them, empower them to see the path forward.
“Leading is scary — until you know that they need to see the way. Then you see they can do it too.” - Maxwell
Maxwell trained 8 menterns here and ran five summer camps at Mezzacello. He created 3 different design challenges that are still in rotation. Maxwell is the change the world needs to see.
Programs and Design Challenges:
Four Summer Camps:
Partners Not Pets
Ecology Matters
How Mezzacello Harnessed The Wind
Simple Machines and You
Three Design Challenges
Simple Machines
Molecular Machines
Make It Work
Grady: The Scientist and Physical Systems
Grady started at Mezzacello Urban Farm in our 2023 camp. It was immediately obvious that he was a brave, curious, and natural leader.
Grady always sees that the weakest are the most valuable, and I respect that.
Trust them, train them, empower them to see the path forward.
“I want the kids to see their strengths.” - Grady
Grady ran a camp and created a design challenge that is still in rotation.
Programs and Design Challenges:
Atomic Farming
Understanding Uncertainty and Entanglement
Theo: Energy, Ecology, and Everything Else
Theo is one of Mezzacello Urban Farm’s oldest friends. I met Theo as a young boy. Theo has been a part of every phase of Mezzacello’s growth. From the bottom of the pond to the tallest wind turbine, Theo is there.
Theo is a brilliant engineer and a natural-born leader.
Trust them, train them, empower them to see the path forward.
“I think all of us are just curious about why things work.” - Theo
Theo ran three camps and created a design challenge that is still in rotation.
ProgramsTaught:
Power Wranglers
More Power
Life Below Water
Design Challenges:
Simple Machine Swap
Lula: The Heart and Art of STEAM
Lula started at Mezzacello Urban Farm in our 2023 camp. She was curious, fearless, creative and brave. It was immediately obvious that she was a natural leader.
Lula is capable of imagining the world inside out and upside down. She is willing to ask questions, draw it and encourage others to be curious and creative as well, and I respect that.
Trust them, train them, empower them to see the path forward.
“I want everyone to have the chance to be creative and curious. It’s easy but not always obvious.” - Lula
Lula ran two camps and created a design challenge that is still in rotation.
Programs Taught:
Atomic Farming
Ecology Matters
Design Challenges:
Reframe The Problem
Harrison: The Chicken Whisperer
Harrison was the youngest camper Mezzacello Urban Farm had hosted in our 2023 camp. Harrison is clever, courageous, and creative. He is also one of the most entertaining people we have ever met.
Harrison is a natural empath and he adores the animals at Mezzacello. The love is mutual as Harrison is the chicken whisperer.
Trust them, train them, empower them to see the path forward.
“I love the animals and they love me. I think we know we need each other.” - Harrison
Harrison ran a camp in 2025.
Program Taught:
How Mezzacello Harnessed The Wind
Juju: The Chemist and Comedian
Juju started at Mezzacello Urban Farm in our 2022 camp. Small and quiet, she was well trusted by the other students and possessed a wit from the start. It was clear that Juju was a natural leader.
Juju always sees the the clever path. When pressed to lead, she builds consensus and community. She is naturally clever and witty. My favorite Juju moment? Her team was called Questionable Ethics for the ecology matters camp.
Trust them, train them, empower them to see the path forward.
“Is it wrong to point out the truth when it’s a problem?” - Juju
Juju ran a camp and created a design challenge that is still in rotation.
Program Taught:
Ecology Matters
Design Challenges:
Ecosystem Design Challenge
Oliver: The Livestock Systems Expert
Oliver started at Mezzacello Urban Farm in our 2022 camp. Oliver was quiet and shy, but we saw a systems engineer and vet tech genius early on. Oliver was invited to become a MenTern for the 2025 season and he did not disappoint.
Oliver observes, reflects, and then acts. He is full of talent and curiosity and it is a constant surprise to be his friend.
Trust them, train them, empower them to see the path forward.
“I don’t know, yet” - Oliver
Oliver ran two camps and created a design challenge that is still in rotation.
Program Taught:
Partners Not :Pets
Design Challenges:
Automation by the Numbers
Animal Paw Care
Will: The Tree Whisperer
Grady started at Mezzacello Urban Farm in our 2023 camp. It was immediately obvious that he was a brave, curious, and natural leader.
Grady always sees that the weakest are the most valuable, and I respect that.
Trust them, train them, empower them to see the path forward.
“I want the kids to see their strengths.” - Grady
Grady ran a camp and created a design challenge that is still in rotation.
Programs and Design Challenges:
Atomic Farming
Understanding Uncertainty and Entanglement