We had the good fortune of connecting with Codi Hale and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Codi, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired first and foremost by nature, in all its wildness and imperfection, and the farmers and land stewards who learn how to tend the Earth with respect.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My path has been anything but linear. In college, I began interning at a local farm near my college and was hooked; it led me to do work trade on farms throughout Europe immediately after graduating in 2014. That experience taught me that I always wanted to be close to the food system and farmers, so I moved around a lot and went in search of my newfound passion. I also became certified as a yoga teacher in 2016, and got lots of practice teaching at local studios, gyms and a women’s shelter. Something I learned in those post-college years is to never shy away from an opportunity, especially when you aren’t clear on where you want to focus your energy. I worked as a barista, bartended, drove farm delivery routes, stocked warehouses and cleaned houses. I think every human should have to work in the service industry at least once in their life, because from the other side of the counter you receive a master class in humanity – others’ and your own. Each one of those “odd” jobs was essential to building the diverse skill set I have today, and I’m proud of myself for always staying open to new experiences.

When I moved to San Diego I was hungry for a job and took a position that was not related to the environment and quickly learned that for me, if there is no passion or mission behind my work besides making money (or making other people money), I wither on the vine. Knowing that I needed to get my hands back in the soil, I followed the call to volunteer at a local farm in 2021; I have now worked for the organization that runs that farm for over 3 years. Over time I’ve learned that what is meant for you will always call you back, but that only works if you stay open to hearing the call. Even if pursuing your passion isn’t your primary source of income, it can come in the form of volunteer work or a class at a community college, and that is beautiful! When we carve out space and time to feed our soul’s passion, I think we are better able to show up for the world because we’ve showed up for ourselves first.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
San Diego is the most biodiverse county in the contiguous United States, so best believe we would be out and about in nature! Mount Laguna is a gorgeous forested haven less than an hour from the ocean, so I would plan a hike there around the meadow loop trails. I would also take folks to the Tijuana River Valley, a hidden agricultural gem a few miles inland of the coast near the border of Mexico, to take a class at Wild Willow or volunteer at the community gardens. A misty coastal morning strolling Torrey Pines is always a good call. I might also book a yoga class at Sojourn or Pilgrimage of the Heart; if it was more of a meditative mood, it’s always grounding to stop by the Dharma Bum Temple. All of this activity would make us hungry, so we would need to stop at Jyoti Bihanga or Thanh Tinh Chay for epic vegan food. For a sweet treat, catch us at Black Market Bakery. Dinner might look like a burrito from Juanitas while we watched the sunset over Stonesteps Beach. At night we could catch a show at the Observatory or get fancy at Lou Lou’s. If we’re lucky, local festival collectives In The Bag or Duck Duck Roar are hosting an event, or maybe the Mustache Bash is in town!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
One of my college environmental justice and sociology professors, John Foran, was the first teacher to encourage us to resist systems of oppression and begin building better ones. He attended the United Nations Climate Summit every year and would do live classes for us from all over the world, so we could be part of it, and would report back on what was being discussed at a global scale. As a young person, to hear a seasoned activist tell you that you could make a difference was so empowering. Professor Foran emphasized starting in your community, which led me to intern at a local farm to better understand the food system; the rest is history. The next place that inspired me like that was over 5 years later, when I moved to San Diego and found Wild Willow Farm & Education Center. It was my green haven in a new city, and has continued to be a central source of wisdom, technical knowledge and community for me and many others.

Instagram: https://codiwithan.eye

Image Credits
Nick Mattea

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