Dina Hornbaker
“I have always enjoyed studying the relationships among areas, natural systems, cultural activities and the interdependence of all of these [minors] throughout the Earth.”
Dina Hornbaker is a Charleston native with a background in Agriculture and Natural Resources. In 2021, she switched gears when she began working as a Community Partnership Coordinator for Solar Holler. She is passionate about maps and the great outdoors as she continues to create positive impacts for central Appalachian communities. Dina enjoys hiking and foraging during her spare time, although she tends to shy away from sharing her GPS coordinates of her favorite morel patch.
Dina reflects on her time at WVU
During my early twenties studying at WVU, I had opportunities that led me to experience life in very wonderful ways. I was searching for what I believed in and my passions. Becoming involved with many student organizations opened my eyes to new relationships, new passions and created an identity that I still stand by today.
I want to constantly understand nature and how to apply best practices through natural and human relationships. I enjoy taking complex problems and analyzing them to value and recognize the differences in areas of work and study. Although I did not major in agriculture at WVU, I gained years of firsthand experiences by practicing with other people. Throughout my college career, I was also dedicated to my music.
I majored in multidisciplinary studies in geography, Spanish and communication studies. I have always enjoyed studying the relationships among areas, natural systems, cultural activities and the interdependence of all of these throughout the Earth. Ideas and passions led me to work with other students and professors engaged in social and food justice issues. A couple of peers and friends were all part of the growing student organization that became what is now FIRSTHAND Cooperative, a worker-owned coffee co-op based in Morgantown: Here for the people, by the people!
After much hard work and dedication to the organization, I decided to explore this coffee farm first hand. In my senior year of college, I traveled to Nicaragua for seven months as an intern in an independent study. There I became submerged in the Spanish language; worked and volunteered on numerous vegetable, fruit and livestock farms; engaged in healthy community building practices and got to know myself a little better.
Graduating from WVU was bittersweet after building a strong community and love for our Mountaineers.
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