Ilya Blender is a Farmer/Educator at Deaver Wellness Farm, where they grow produce for under- and uninsured patients and lead food-as-medicine education programs to school groups. They came to this role after completing a Seedkeeping apprenticeship through Pasa, learning how to steward seeds for generations to come. Ilya has also organized land-based arts programming that connects ecological stewardship with creative practice. They value the reciprocity of education and land work, learning from their students and letting the land teach. They hope to draw students, patients, and healthcare workers nearer to Deaver as a nourishing space to be present with Earth.