Local graduate plans to open Christmas tree, blueberry farm SanTan … · 8/3/2017 Local graduate...
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8/3/2017 Local graduate plans to open Christmas tree, blueberry farm SanTan Sun News http://santansun.com/2017/06/14/local-graduate-plans-to-open-christmas-tree-blueberry-farm/ 1/2 4 SHARES Local graduate plans to open Christmas tree, blueberry farm By Leah Merrall Elaine Atwood of Chandler isn’t an ordinary graduate of Mesa Community College. At 59 years old, the Navy veteran is hoping to apply her two associate degrees in applied sciences to open a Christmas tree and blueberry farm. “I’m not exactly young, so I picked something that I love, which is Christmas,” Atwood said. “The blueberries o×er a di×erent season to work.” Atwood was one of the Òrst to graduate from the sustainable agriculture program at MCC, which began last fall. She also received an associate degree in urban horticulture. When Atwood moved to Arizona from Washington, the local Veterans A×airs oÕce gave her and her husband, Joel, an opportunity to pursue an education, something she had not yet done given her time in the Navy, and then traveling around working and raising a family. When her young grandson began expressing an interest in working in a business with his grandparents, Atwood’s dream began to formulate. The plan is to purchase land in Prescott for the Christmas tree and blueberry farm and renovate a barn into a recording and rehearsal studio for music, her husband’s passion. “My husband and I are building a business side by side because we wanted something both of us could do so that we could work together, but our interests are in totally di×erent directions,” Atwood said. Eventually, Atwood wants to utilize her farming business and her husband’s music business to help give back to the community. She hopes that the giving spirit that comes along with the holiday season can help aspiring musicians and at-risk youth. “It’s not easy, but it’s important for the youth to know that nothing in life that is really rewarding is going to be easy,” Atwood said. (Photo by Mesa Community College) Elaine Atwood of Chandler earned two associate degrees in applied sciences from Mesa Community College and plans to open a Christmas tree and blueberry farm. DIGITAL EDITIONS Shelf by Issuu SanTan Sun News ... FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK HOME COMMUNITY BUSINESS NEIGHBORS YOUTH ARTS SPIRITUALITY OPINION DIGITAL EDITIONS MORE… June 14th, 2017 | by SanTan Sun News NEIGHBORS Share Tweet Be the first of your friends to like this SanTan Sun 7 hours ago From January to July 21, Cardon Children’s Medical Center has cared for 145 babies in the NICU born before 35 weeks. Out of those babies, 14 were born at 23 weeks or less in their mothers’ wombs. SanTan Sun 2,331 likes Like Page Share
Transcript of Local graduate plans to open Christmas tree, blueberry farm SanTan … · 8/3/2017 Local graduate...
8/3/2017 Local graduate plans to open Christmas tree, blueberry farm SanTan Sun News
http://santansun.com/2017/06/14/local-graduate-plans-to-open-christmas-tree-blueberry-farm/ 1/2
4SHARES
Local graduate plans to open Christmas tree,blueberry farm
By Leah Merrall
Elaine Atwood of Chandler isn’t an ordinary graduate of Mesa Community College. At59 years old, the Navy veteran is hoping to apply her two associate degrees in appliedsciences to open a Christmas tree and blueberry farm.
“I’m not exactly young, so I picked something that I love, which is Christmas,” Atwoodsaid. “The blueberries o�er a di�erent season to work.”
Atwood was one of the �rst to graduate from the sustainable agriculture program atMCC, which began last fall. She also received an associate degree in urbanhorticulture.
When Atwood moved to Arizona from Washington, the local Veterans A�airs o�cegave her and her husband, Joel, an opportunity to pursue an education, somethingshe had not yet done given her time in the Navy, and then traveling around workingand raising a family.
When her young grandson began expressing an interest in working in a business withhis grandparents, Atwood’s dream began to formulate.
The plan is to purchase land in Prescott for the Christmas tree and blueberry farmand renovate a barn into a recording and rehearsal studio for music, her husband’spassion.
“My husband and I are building a business side by side because we wantedsomething both of us could do so that we could work together, but our interests arein totally di�erent directions,” Atwood said.
Eventually, Atwood wants to utilize her farming business and her husband’s musicbusiness to help give back to the community. She hopes that the giving spirit thatcomes along with the holiday season can help aspiring musicians and at-risk youth.
“It’s not easy, but it’s important for the youth to know that nothing in life that is reallyrewarding is going to be easy,” Atwood said.
(Photo by Mesa Community College)
Elaine Atwood of Chandler earned two associate degrees in applied sciences fromMesa Community College and plans to open a Christmas tree and blueberry farm.
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June 14th, 2017 | by SanTan Sun News
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SanTan Sun7 hours ago
From January to July 21, Cardon
Children’s Medical Center has cared for
145 babies in the NICU born before 35
weeks. Out of those babies, 14 were
born at 23 weeks or less in their
mothers’ wombs.
SanTan Sun2,331 likes
Like Page Share
8/3/2017 Local graduate plans to open Christmas tree, blueberry farm SanTan Sun News
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Arts Business
Community Neighbors
Opinion Spirituality
Uncategorized Youth
CATEGORIES
Students to channel ‘divas, villains and
jesters’ in opera workshop
performance
Wheelchair-bound Chandler
photographer wins local prizes
Local company catches the meal-
delivery wave with health emphasis
Theater o�ers �exible ticket prices to
help Chandler Compadres
Support City of Chandler – SRP
Agreement for PRC 230kV Project
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