New leader blooms in Coupeville school gardens

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New leader blooms in Coupeville school gardens

February 16, 2023 by David Svien

Holly Bloom

Alert the town’s deer, there’s a new sheriff at the Coupeville Farm to School program.

Holly Bloom recently replaced Zvi Bar-Chaim, who departs after an eight-year run as Program Manager.

The new face of the school system’s highly successful bid to bring together students and fresh veggies hails originally from Buffalo.

Bloom lived and worked in Truckee, California the past two years, and brings a decade-plus of educational and horticultural experience to her new position.

“I specialize in hands-on project based learning and outdoor education,” she said in a Facebook post.

She served as an AmeriCorps volunteer in 2008, then went on to charter a Farm to School program through that company.

Bloom has worked for a variety of non-profits, public, private and charter schools, as well as state and county agencies.

She earned a B.A. in Art Education and an A.A.S. in Horticulture.

“I’ve found that both the visual arts and horticulture go hand in hand and provide students with a safe space where they can connect with each other and the world around them,” Bloom said on Facebook.

“I feel most at home in the garden, where I can share my passion for the natural world and instill a stronger sense of humanity in my students through the pursuit of academic and hands-on learning.

“I am very excited to join the Whidbey Island community and to be a part of the Coupeville Farm to School team!”