ALC Leadership Team Researchers & Staff Current Graduate Students Current ALC Fellows Collaborators Alumni
ALC Leadership Team
V. Ernesto Méndez |
 Martha Caswell, M.P.P. Co-Director, Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative Contact: Martha.Caswell@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Agroecology, food sovereignty, participatory action research (PAR), scholar activism |
 Vic Izzo, Ph.D. Educational Coordinator, Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative and PSS Lecturer Contact: vizzo@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Evolutionary Ecology, Entomology, Sustainable Pest Management, Agroecology. |
 Scott A. Lewins Extension Coordinator, Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaboravtive and PSS Lecturer Contact: slewins@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Entomology, Biological Control, Insect Agroecology, and Sustainable Agriculture |
Colin Anderson |
Researchers and Staff
 Alejandra Guzmán Luna, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Researcher ALC-Gund Contact: Alejandra.Guzman-luna@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Agroecology, Participatory Action Research, Livelihoods, Small-scale coffee farming |
 Rigoberto Hernandez Jonapa, B.S. Mexico Coordinator “Assessment of Diversification Strategies in Smallholder Coffee Systems of Mesoamerica” Project Contact: rhernandez.jonapa@outlook.com Areas of Focus: Participatory Action Research (PAR); Coffee Systems; Chiapas, Mexico/Investigación Acción Participativa (IAP), Sistemas de Café, Chiapas, México |
 Diana Luna, M.S. Research Associate Contact: diana.lunagonzalez@gmail.com Areas of Focus: Food security and nutrition, Sustainable livelihoods, System dynamics modelling, Participatory Action Research |
Gabriela Bucini, Ph.D. |
Nils McCune |
Cynthia Ramírez Ríos |
Carlos Andres Gallegos-Riofrío, Ph.D. |
Karen Nordstrom, Ph.D. |
 Alissa White, Ph.D.Postdoc researcher Contact: Alissa.C.White@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Agroecology, participatory action research, agricultural resilience to climate change, sustainable livelihoods, and the intersections of global climate change, sustainable agriculture and ecology. |
Current Graduate Students
 Janica AnderzénPh.D. Student, Department of Plant and Soil Science Contact: Janica.Anderzen@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: smallholder coffee agroforestry systems in Mesoamerica, Participatory Action Research, Agroecology, Ecological Economics. |
Ph.D. Student, Natural Resources, Rubenstein School Contact: samcbliss@gmail.com |
 Ben DubePh.D. Student, Natural Resources, Rubenstein School Contact: bdube@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Energy in Food Systems, Grass-based Farming, Ecological Economics, Impacts of Agriculture on Climate Change |
 Andrew Gerlicz Ph.D. Student, Plant and Soil Science Dept. Contact: Andrew.Gerlicz@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Economic viability of agroecology in small-scale production |
 Ronald Herrera, M.S. Ph.D. Student, Universidad Pablo de Olavide Contact: ronald.sanz85@gmail.com Areas of Focus: Agroecology, Rural Development, Participatory Action Research. |
 Katie Horner Ph.D. Student, Department of Plant and Soil Science Contact: Catherine.Horner@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Agroecology Pedagogy |
Maria Juncos |
Becky Madden |
 Patricia Natividad, M.S.Ph.D. Student, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Contact: patnatividad@gmail.com Areas of Focus: Agroecological systems, evaluation of development programs in rural areas |
 Luis Alexis Rodríguez-Cruz, M.S.Ph.D. Student Contact: lrodrig2@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: structural vulnerability and food systems; farmers and fisherfolks’ adaptive capacity in the context of natural hazards; food sovereignty and food security in the Caribbean |
Alisha Utter |
 Maria Rosa YumblaPh.D. Student, Universidad Pablo de Olavide Contact: myumbla@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Agroecology, Rural Development, Participatory Action Research, Feminization of agriculture, decolonization and territory. |
Amaya M. Carrasco-Torrontegui |
Aura M. Alonso-Rodríguez, M.S. |
Michelle Nikfarjam, M.A. Ph.D. Student, Food Systems |
Current ALC Undergraduate Research Fellows (2019-2020)
 Bri ArnoldALC Undergraduate Research Fellow Contact: barnold2@uvm.edu I am a senior majoring in Plant Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences with minors in Anthropology and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. I’m interested in agroecological systems that provide ecological restoration and build community resilience across species. As an ALC fellow I’m excited to engage in discussions and projects that bring us closer to seeing positive transformations in our food systems and ecosystems! |
 Carlin MolanderALC Undergraduate Research Fellow Contact: carlin.molander@uvm.edu I am a Sophomore majoring in Food Systems and Environmental Studies with a minor in Anthropology in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. I am most interested in sustainability within modern agriculture as well as PAR research and soil health management. As part of the ALC Fellowship I am looking forward to meeting and learning about the large strata of interests and experiences brought by other members of the ALC and their research projects. |
 Leany MunozALC Undergraduate Research Fellow Contact: lmunoz@uvm.edu I am a sophomore with hopes of graduating in 2021. I am in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as Environmental Studies major and Eco Ag minor. I’m interested in understanding human impact from environmental action as well as learning the history of nature as it has evolved. I’m also interested in natural medicine and how we can interweave the functions of modern medicine and naturopathic practices. I’m most excited about working with farmers in order to better understand their perspectives in crop production and conservation agriculture. I look forward to getting to know everyone on the team, and see what amazing new knowledge blossoms from this experience! |
 Ella Wegman-LawlessALC Undergraduate Research Fellow Contact: ella.wegman-lawless@uvm.edu I am a Food Systems senior and am excited to be involved in the ALC because of it’s transdisciplinarity. I am passionate about food and food systems! I grew up farming small scale produce, and pasture based livestock. I have experience in establishing a farm to school chapter, creating and teaching hands-on food related lessons and managing young adults farming. I have worked and lived side by side with adults with special needs, practicing subsistence biodynamic agriculture. Currently my interests lie in making these food connections to incarcerated or recently incarcerated populations. In my free time, I love to build community, attempt to do sourdough baking and bike through all seasons! |
 Sophia Wilcox-WarrenALC Undergraduate Research Fellow Contact: sophia.wilcox-warren@uvm.edu Sophia is a Sophomore in the Rubenstein School and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences majoring in Environmental Studies and Food Systems. Her areas of interest are sustainable and resilient food systems, soil health, restoration ecology, and environmental education. She is excited to work with different farms through the ALC and get some hands-on experience. |
Collaborators
 Carol AdairAssociate Professor of Climate Change and Adaptation, UVM Rubenstein School Contact: carol.adair@uvm.edu |
 Roseann (Rose) Cohen, Ph.D.Executive Director, Community Agroecology Network (CAN) Research Associate, Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS), University of California, Santa Cruz Contact: rose@canunite.org Areas of Focus: Agroecology, participatory action research, political ecology, gender, youth, immigration. |
 Carmen Cortez, PhD.Associate Director, Community Agroecology Network (CAN) Contact: carmen@canunite.org Areas of Focus: community processes of exchange; food sovereignty; connection of land, culture, and community self-governance. |
Heather Darby, PhD. Agronomy Professor and Lead, UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soil Program Contact: Heather.Darby@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Soil quality and nutrient management; water quality; participatory research; grain production; organic farming; forages; hops; hemp; oilseed crops; milkweed; biofuel production. |
 S’ra DeSantis, M.S. (ALC Alumn)Co-Director, UVM Farmer Training Program (FTP) Contact: sra.desantis@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Organic management of small-scale, diversified agricultural production, organic vegetable production. |
 Margarita Fernandez, Ph.D. (ALC Alumn)Executive Director, Vermont Caribbean Institute Contact: margarita@vtcaribbean.org Areas of Focus: Agroecology; Food security; Food sovereignty; Livelihoods; Cooperatives. |
 Joshua Faulkner, Ph.D.Farming and Climate Change Coordinator, Center for Sustainable Agriculture Contact: Joshua.Faulkner@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Climate change adaptation in agriculture; soil and water management; agricultural hydrology and water quality |
 Stephen R. GliessmanProfessor Emeritus of Agroecology, University of California, Santa Cruz Chair, Board of Directors, Community Agroecology Network Editor, Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems Contact: gliess@ucsc.edu Areas of Focus: Agroecology, Agroecological transitions, Sustainability, Education in Agroecology, Sustainable Food Systems |
 John HaydenOwner and Farmer, The Farm Between, Jeffersonville, VT Contact: thefarmbetween@gmail.com |
Stephanie Hurley , Ph.D.Associate Professor, Department of Plant & Soil Science Contact: Stephanie.E.Hurley@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Landscape Design & Planning; Ecological Design; Green Stormwater Infrastructure; Land Use and Watershed Management; Urban Ecology; Landscape Visualization |
 Scott C. Merrill, Ph.D.Research Assistant Professor, Department of Plant & Soil Science Contact: Scott.C.Merrill@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Systems ecology, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), social-ecological systems, Landscape ecology, serious games, experimental gaming, animal biosecurity, climate change, population modeling, Monte Carlo simulations, and spatiotemporal modeling. |
 Katlyn Stillings Morris, Ph.D. (ALC Alumn)Higher Education Field Representative, AFT Vermont; Research Associate Contact: Katlyn.Morris@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Tropical smallholder agriculture, food security, international environmental studies, agroecology, farmer livelihoods and health |
Rachel Schattman, Ph.D. (ALC Alumn) Assistant Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Maine Contact: rachel.schattman@maine.edu Areas of Focus: agroecology, climate change, vegetable and small fruit production, water use efficiency, decision making, behavior, risk assessment, mixed methods research; Website. |
Alumni
 Olivia Andreozzi, B.S.ALC Undergraduate Research Fellow, 2016-2017 Contact: Olivia.Andreozzi@uvm.edu Olivia is a senior ENVS student in the College of Arts and Sciences hailing from Rhode Island. Her areas of interest are Environmental Studies, Anthropology, and Food Systems. Her roles in the ALC include facilitating meetings as well as assisting in research for the Urban and Peri-urban Agroecology project. |
 Nell Carpenter, B.S.ALC Undergraduate Research Fellow, 2018 Contact: Nell.Carpenter@uvm.edu Nell graduated from UVM with an Environmental Studies major and Food Systems minor. Nell’s areas of interest include food access and justice, environmental studies, and gender studies. |
 Sebastian Castro-Tanzi, Ph.D.Environmental Modeler, Stone Environmental Contact: sebastiancastro28@gmail.com Areas of Focus: Agroecology, coffee, GIS, quantitative analyses |
 Dana Christel, M.S.Market Manager at Plovgh, Inc Contact: Dana.Christel@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Use of Bokashi in small scale vegetable production |
 Angel Cruz, Ph.D.Academic and Extension Initiatives Manager, Center for Environmental Farming Systems, North Carolina State University (NCSU) Contact: aecruz@ncsu.edu Areas of Focus: Agroecology |
 Dan Erickson, Ph.D.Founder and Managing Partner, Food Systems Research Institute Contact: derickson@foodSRI.com Areas of Focus: GIS, Food Systems |
 Rafter Sass Ferguson, Ph.D.Scientist, Food and Environment Contact: liberationecology@gmail.com Areas of Focus: political agroecology; multidimensional performance of farming systems; ways in which our ideas about agriculture translate into policy with complex consequences |
 Katie Goodall, Ph.D.Assistant Dean, School for Field Studies Contact: katherinegoodall@gmail.com; academics@fieldstudies.org Areas of Focus: Agroecology, Biodiversity Conservation, Landscape Ecology, Latin America, Farmer Livelihoods |
 Lee Gross, M.S.International Program Specialist at USDA FAS Contact: leehgross@gmail.com Areas of Focus: Agricultural sustainability standards and value chains, monitoring and evaluation, corporate sustainability, partnership management, training and capacity building, and integrated landscape management |
| Lizzy Holiman, UVM Agroecology and Food Systems student ALC Undergraduate Research Fellow, 2019 Contact: Elizabeth.Holiman@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: |
 Bennett LaFond, M.S.Dexis Consulting Group Contact: Bennett.LaFond@uvm.edu Areas of Focus: Agroecology in International Development; Smallholder Coffee Production; Soil Conservation and Erosion Control; Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture. |
| Emily McCarthy, B.S. ALC Undergraduate Research Fellow, 2019 Contact: Areas of Focus: Agroecology |
 Allie Pankoff, B.S.ALC Undergraduate Research Fellow, 2018-19 Soil Conservationist with the USDA-NRCS (Grafton County, NH) Contact: appankoff@gmail.com Areas of Focus: Soil Health, Intersection of Agriculture and Conservation, GIS |
 Meryl Richards, Ph.D.Senior Manager, Food and Forests, Ceres Contact: meryl.b.richards@gmail.com Areas of Focus: Climate change mitigation in agricultural systems, quantification of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity conservationappankoff@gmail.com |
| Elise Schumacher, B.S. ALC Undergraduate Research Fellow, 2019 Contact: appankoff@gmail.com Areas of Focus: |
 Emma Trainor, B.S.ALC Undergraduate Research Fellow, 2018 Contact: Emma.Trainor@uvm.edu Emma is a senior ENVS student in the College of Arts and Sciences with a concentration in Nature, Culture, and Justice. |