Scotty grew up in the small town of Berry, AL where he roamed the woods and creeks surrounding his house and fell in love with being outside. After high school, he attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham and graduated with a degree in early childhood and elementary education. For the next seven years, he taught fifth grade in Birmingham where he first began using farming as an educational tool. He then transitioned to a high school teaching position within the system where he taught environmental science as well as developed and oversaw the programming and growing of a two acre sustainable urban farm behind the high school for four years through a local non-profit. As part of this program, he ran an internship with high school juniors and seniors growing and selling produce to the surrounding community while cultivating curiosity, hard work, and self sufficiency. Scotty was drawn to camp by the overall beauty and peacefulness of the land as well as the opportunity to live and work amongst a community of environmental educators. As farm school director, Scotty gets to continue to share his passion for teaching and sharing his excitement for the natural world and farming with the thousands of individuals that attend McDowell’s programs. Scotty, his wife Julie, and their three children, Samuel, Betsy and Susanna have called camp home since the summer of 2019. Scotty enjoys reading, climbing, outdoor adventures with his family, and getting his hands dirty in southern soil.

Howdy! My journey into agriculture began with a seventh-grade service-learning trip to an educational farm in Arkansas. Growing up in Houston, Texas, I never expected that experience would shape my future. In high school, I explored agriculture through an animal science cohort and a veterinary technician program. I later graduated from Slippery Rock University. When I wasn’t studying, I spent time at our environmental center and hiking the North Country Trail. Those experiences sparked my interest in environmental education and led me to work at educational farms in Massachusetts and Texas before serving in the Peace Corps. Following Peace Corps service, I spent nearly a decade supporting nonprofits in New York and Texas, developing experiential education programs for high school seniors preparing for college and creating hands-on simulations introducing students to technical and skilled-trade apprenticeships. Now, I’m excited to come full circle by returning to an educational farm and helping young people experience farm work for the first time, just as I did in seventh grade.

Hi folks! The name is Zee and I'm from Birmingham Alabama! I've been interested in growing since a young age while working in my grandma and aunt's garden. I started farming in 2016 while in highschool and have been in the food scene ever since! Whether that's restaurants, farms, farmers markets, teaching or anything in between I'm sure I've dipped my big toe in it at least once! I like cheese, milk and most dairy products. My favorite animal is a cow. My favorite food is salmon. My personality is like a cat!

With a degree in Environmental Studies from Bemidji State University in Northern Minnesota, Devin is deeply passionate about sustainable farming, food, and the health of our communities. She has taught at two outdoor education centers, inspiring students of all ages to engage with the environment and understand its connection to their daily lives. While earning her degree, Devin worked on a small organic vegetable farm, gaining practical knowledge of sustainable agriculture. Driven by a strong desire to teach the next generation, she is committed to showing kids the vital link between farming and their food, emphasizing the importance of healthy, sustainable practices for both the environment and community well-being.

Hey everybody! I’m JoLee, but just call me Jo.

When I graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in Nutrition, I had big dreams of teaching on an organic farm. I took my first job as a clinical dietitian at the hospital in my hometown, Fet, AL, to give myself a minute to think and plot my next move. While there, I married my husband, Shane, and life took us down a different road to PA school.

I’ve spent the last several years working in medicine, but I’ve never lost my love for the outdoors or the dream of helping people connect with the natural world. I am happy to say that life has come full circle. A job for camp nurse at Wonderful Wonderful Camp McDowell, one of my family’s favorite places, opened up. Now I get the best of both worlds. I get to help care for our students that come through our farm school so they can feel their best and get back to the grand work of falling in love with dirt.

If you see me out riding bikes with my boys or playing music in one of the chapels, feel free to say hello! We love making new friends!