- Ph.D. Natural Resources/Ecological Economics,University of Vermont
- M.S. Agricultural Economics, University of Vermont
- BA, Philosophy. Burlington College
Area(s) of expertise
Rural development, dairy labor, Latinx farmworkers, "panela" artisinal sugar, low-input technology transfer, emergency management, resilience planning, project-based learning
BIO
My research takes an action research approach to understanding the challenges of vulnerable communities to design projects and policy that improves their lives, reduces vulnerability and builds resilience. My work has engaged with people and communities experiencing multiple, interconnected challenges to assist with complex problems of poverty, exposure to natural disasters, occupational risks, housing and economic development. Current projects involve climate change resilience for mobile home parks, migrant dairy farmworker health and safety, farmworker housing, and coalition-building between dairy farmers and the migrant farmworker community. Internationally I work with Honduran NGO’s and small farmer groups on an on-going technology transfer project involving the design, transfer, adaptation and construction of evaporator technology to the needs of small-scale rural sugarcane processors in Honduras. We are currently interviewing small producers about the impacts and sustainability of the new evaporator. Expertise in small-farmer organization, micro-lending and project evaluation. USAID video and interview (Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqixo1il3Ew
Publications
Working together to protect migrant farmworkers and support our dairy farms
Bio
My research takes an action research approach to understanding the challenges of vulnerable communities to design projects and policy that improves their lives, reduces vulnerability and builds resilience. My work has engaged with people and communities experiencing multiple, interconnected challenges to assist with complex problems of poverty, exposure to natural disasters, occupational risks, housing and economic development. Current projects involve climate change resilience for mobile home parks, migrant dairy farmworker health and safety, farmworker housing, and coalition-building between dairy farmers and the migrant farmworker community. Internationally I work with Honduran NGO’s and small farmer groups on an on-going technology transfer project involving the design, transfer, adaptation and construction of evaporator technology to the needs of small-scale rural sugarcane processors in Honduras. We are currently interviewing small producers about the impacts and sustainability of the new evaporator. Expertise in small-farmer organization, micro-lending and project evaluation. USAID video and interview (Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqixo1il3Ew