Today we have Laura Farzim, who is one of our Water Quality Interns. She has brought an immense amount passion and expertise to Nourish The Planet.

Here is a little more about her in her own words:

My name is Laura. I was born and raised in Iran. I received my under graduate degree in animal science at Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology. Then I Moved to Colorado in 2007. Currently I’m pursuing Master degree in Environmental science and graduating this summer from University of Colorado, Denver. I’ve started as water quality intern at Nourish the Planet about 2 weeks ago and learned a lot about Aquaponics and water quality since then.

When did you first become interested in sustainability?

First time I heard about the term sustainability in school. As environmental science student you hear about the term sustainable development all the time. A Major human impact on Earth is the overusing natural recourses and we need to preserve natural resources for our future generation with practice of sustainable development.

How do you incorporate sustainability into your life?

I try to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as I can and encourage my friends to do the same thing. For instance I buy only the amount of products I need instead of buying a large amount of products and wasting it later or instead of using paper towels I use regular washable cloths.

What do you want to see change in the world in the next 10 years?

I would like to see people using cleaner, renewable source of energy. More people having access to fresh drinkable water and most importantly controlled population of our planet, because I think that is the origin of any current major problem.

What are your goals for the future?

Finishing school and after getting my diploma I want to obtain a career in environmental science, specifically in water pollution and water quality analysis. I want to gain more field and research experience.

If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

To use every minute of my life more productively and watch less TV. As teenager I spend lots of time watching TV.

What is the number one place that you would like to travel to?

Definitely India. The Himalayas mountain, street food and a wide diversity of culture and religious in India makes it very beautiful and worth a visit.

When you are feeling unmotivated, how do inspire yourself?

I ride my bicycle or go skiing if it is winter. Basically exercise and being in nature takes my mind off from all problems I have and makes me feel better and relax and after that I feel stronger and motivated.

What is your favorite book that you’ve read in the past year?

The Help. The story was very interesting, entertaining and inspiring. The story happened in 60’s and was about young woman who just got graduated from University and started to work as a journalist in local newspaper and she decided to write a book about African American maids.

What was your new year’s resolution? (and how is it going so far?)

To become more organized and have more organized lifestyle. And I’m doing pretty good job at making it happen.

What do you wish you were better at?

Since English is not my native language I still have a little struggle with writing and I wish I could get really good at it.

Name one thing that you could not live without?

I cannot live without having my father around and it’s been very tough for me because he still lives in Iran but despite that we video chat a lot and we keep each other updated with our daily lives.

Thanks so much Laura! She has been such an asset to the Nourish The Planet team!!