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By JUSTIN ELLIS, Staff Writer January 14, 2008

At least two things helped lead Kae Bosman-Clark to Maine -- a need to use her degree in environmental education, and a desire to move outside of Wisconsin.

Bosman-Clark is program manager for Cultivating Community, an organization aimed at helping people achieve sustainability through organic gardens and farms.

"I wanted to use what I know, but in a context that affects everyone," she said.

As program director Bosman-Clark works a lot with young people, managing the Youth Growers and Compost Corps programs.

She began as an AmeriCorps volunteer for Cultivating Community in 2005 before joining the staff full time.

Bosman-Clark said she has always loved outdoor activities and being outside.

She said people are starting to ask more questions about where their food comes from and how it is prepared.

"Not that people can grow everything," she said. "But we can make at least some contribution to growing our own food. It's a lost art in our society."

Working with young people helps make those connections, from learning about a vegetable to planting it and eventually eat- ing it, she said.

Community gar- dens (which Culti- vating Community helps maintain in Portland), backyard gardens and growing clubs at schools are all signs that people are trying to have more control over how they feed themselves, she said.

"There's something really exciting about growing your own food," she said. "It's really empowering, knowing you have a role in feeding yourself."

To find out more about Cultivating Community go to www. cultivatingcommunity.org.

Here are some of Bosman-Clark's favorite Web sites:

Knitty.com: "Knitting site with patterns from the most intricate socks to basic hats. Something for everyone. Patterns change every season, but be sure to check out the archive for even more."

The Vegetarian Times: "Google for the kitchen. I love the ingredient search feature. Type in what you have and get back a whole list of recipes."

The New York Times Crossword: "Maybe I'm not allowed to advertise for another newspaper, but no day of mine seems complete without at least a stab at the crossword."

Sprout People: "While planning a middle school program for the spring, I came across this Web site which is so enthusiastic about growing sprouts that I had to try it. Now I'm completely hooked. I've got a mason jar on my desk growing sprouts for a crunchy delicious snack."

The Writers Almanac: "Blame it on my Midwestern roots, but I love Garrison Keillor. I usually miss the segment on NPR and so have to catch it online. Besides, how can you not like starting your day with 'Be well, do good work, and keep in touch,' a motto to live by?"