Ep 47 - Stella Young

State of Water

We’re thrilled to welcome Stella Young to State of Water. Stella is the Director of Development for On the Ground Global who partners with coffee farmer communities to improve standards of living through a variety of projects in support of clean water, gender equity, and cooperative economics. (4:00) Stella shares some of the On the Ground origin story and (6:50) how their commitment to fair trade and cooperative economics supports their efforts to seek true partnership with their farmers. (8:20) Stella reflects on the foundational importance for people to have access to clean water and (11:28) how formative her lifelong involvement with On the Ground has been - from trips to Chiapas as a 6 year old and Ethiopia as a 10 year old to being a board member as a teen where she initiated a scholarship fund for students in Congo. (19:50) Stella gives updates on On the Ground’s current projects in the Congo and Chiapas and (25:40) reflects on the importance of On the Ground’s arts and culture work including the lasting impact of the musical ambassadorship program and the film “The People & the Olive,” filmed during On the Ground’s trip to Palestine. Finally, (32:00) Stella shares how this full circle opportunity to work for On the Ground meets her interests and experiences and (35:20) how State of Water listeners can support and engage On the Ground’s work. Learn more about On the Ground at: https://www.onthegroundglobal.org/ Find the full video of this episode and all 2024 State of Water episodes on our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MICleanH2O As part of Title Track’s 5th anniversary, we have an active fundraiser going online to support our ongoing efforts supporting clean water, racial equity, and youth empowerment. Any support is appreciated! https://titletrackmichigan.org/support/ /// EPISODE 47 / Stella Young interviewed by Seth Bernard / Produced, edited and mixed by Dan Rickabus and Chris Good / Narrators - Alex Smith, Ben Darcie, Dan Rickabus, Jenny Jones, Angela Gallegos, Rachel Marco-Havens / Graphic by Chris Good / Theme Music - Mike Savina, Seth Bernard & Dan Rickabus / Featured Music - “Homestretch” by Ecotone and “Authors (instrumental demo)" by Dan Rickabus