Hello! I spend my time at work by supporting farmers and rural grocery stores as the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Program Associate for the University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP), working throughout greater Minnesota. I have a background rooted in sustainable food systems, grown from time spent on the prairie studying Political Science and Environmental Studies at the University of Minnesota - Morris to more recently rescuing millions of pounds of nutritious food from retail stores with the food bank Second Harvest Heartland. Currently, I am researching local food supply chains and the potential for small/mid size farmer market access. I also work with the MN Dept of Agriculture on outreach for the Produce Safety Rule, and I am 2/3 of the way done with a masters of science program in Natural Resource Science Management at the University of MN - College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences.

When not interacting and learning from farmers/grocery stores, I dream about becoming a farmer in a welcoming rural MN town. I bring the perspective of an energized queer millennial, filled with a passion for process and a love for quilting, painting, biking, reading, traveling, social justice, and video games. I love to spend time with my spouse, Grace, and home zoo in North Minneapolis.