Arbor day is coming up on April 29th.Dale Amann spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at an annual tree giveaway for Arbor Day that was held at the Columbia Farmers Market in April. Dale spoke about his own history of gardening, and a program through the Center for Urban agriculture, Opportunity Gardens, which empowers low-income residents to start their own gardens.

World Book Day is coming up on April 23.So, this week we hear from Lucy Barber, a student at the University of Missouri who’s studying education.She spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in February about her love of the library and her renewed passion for reading.

Miguel Rodriguez spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in February. He’s an interpreter from South America who spoke about his passion for traveling – and shared a few of the stories he’s gathered along the way.

Tyrone Seals, Sr. lives in Columbia and spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in February. The library also serves as a warming center for the community.Tyrone is currently unhoused and shared some of his experiences. He spoke about how he wants more people to understand the realities of being homeless.

Pat Wilson is 76 and has lived the majority of his life in mid-Missouri – born in Moberly, grew up in Columbia, and now that he's retired, he and his wife bought some land and built a house out in Fulton.Pat spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in February about his time as a soldier during the Vietnam War, and how things have changes for veterans today.

Shelley Botts spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at the Central Missouri Renaissance Festival in October.She lives in Columbia and raises chickens in her backyard and calls herself “The Hen Wife.” She shared some stories of her unusual brood, and the strong personalities that come out in the aptly named “Betty trio.”

Akshay Koppula spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at the Diwali event on MU’s campus last November. The event was hosted by the Southeast Asian student association.Akshay is a PhD student at the University of Missouri, and said that while he grew up in India, he now considers Columbia his second home. He spoke about how he wants people to know about the University and all it has to offer to students.

James Glasgow spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at the Central Missouri Renaissance Festival in October. He began going to Renaissance festivals five years ago, and now he’s a “jack of all trades” with skills in sewing, leather crafting and wet felting.James says he loves the uniqueness of the festival because he can connect with friends and take a trip back in time.

Five-year-old Catie Critchfield and her mother, KOMU’s Emily Spain spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at a pop-up event at the Daniel Boone Regional Library on February 19th.They taught us that February is Heart Month – a time to focus on cardiovascular health and spoke about why that's important their family.

Thomas Gambino lives in St. Louis and is known by many as “Byrd.” He spoke with the Missouri on Mic team at the Central Missouri Renaissance Festival in October.From being a pirate, to the “Cardinal of France,” to his regular day job – Byrd is someone who puts family first. For Byrd, when someone is in need – his found family is there for support.