Vanessa Portillo is a dedicated proponent for health and wellness in Southern Nevada and a passionate enthusiast for fresh food access and local food security. She implements educational garden programs in schools, community centers and nonprofits across the Valley.
Why this career? As a certified herbalist, I fell in love with the cultivation and care for plants. I also love working with kids and sharing their curiosity and wonder! Learning the important life skill of growing your own food, and understanding where food comes from, sets a powerful foundation for self-sustainability and healthy habits.
How has COVID-19 impacted your work? Since mid-March, when COVID-19 shut down schools, we have been able to help the community with the harvest produced from the gardens. We have donated about 200 pounds of food to a senior distribution center organized by City of Henderson, Emergency Aid of Boulder City and the Good Life Chef Project, where Chef Andrew Prodigalidad is organizing a meal prep to distribute to low-income families and the Heritage Park Senior Center.
Why is community important? None of the work I do, you do, any of us do, would be possible without community. As we say in gardening, “Many hands make light work.” The same applies as we all work together to create the environment we want to live in.
Best advice received? “Take pride in your work.” It helped me to recognize that we can put purpose into everything. Even if it is not immediately clear, everything we do, and the way we do it, makes a difference.
Advice to young women entering the workforce? Find what really inspires you, and let that become your work. Remember that the work that you do represents you, so be proud of it!
Goals for the next 5-10 years? Eliminate as many Las Vegas food deserts as possible, with easy accessibility to a growing garden and/or a farmers market for our community members.