Where are you from? Washington State
What Food Systems degree are you working on? Research Master's
Tell us about your educational background, training and your interests. Prior to entering college, I grew up in a small dairy valley in Washington State where the sight and smells of “food” and a lush environment was normalized. I worked in the restaurant industry, including two of my father’s restaurants, for about fifteen years. After taking some community college courses, I went to Alaska and earned a BA in Sociology, with minors in Environmental Studies and Philosophy, from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Prior to entering graduate school at the University of Vermont, I spent six months with AmeriCorps at the American Red Cross. My background greatly influences my interests. The health and integrity of the environment is my primary concern. With this in mind, I chose to study sociology, and eventually food systems.
What made you interested in a graduate program in Food Systems? I view Food Systems as the key to understanding the world today more than any other discipline of study and because agriculture depends on the health of the environment, I believe that food systems is where I can learn, research, and teach the challenges, issues, questions, and solutions to our interconnected, interdependent, world.
Tell us about your thesis research. My thesis research investigates how social capital in rural communities affects food security during and after climate shocks. The study uses interviews from thirty-three community members, farmers, town government officials, food banks, non-governmental organizations, and businesses in central Vermont towns who were each town cut-off from all other towns and resources after Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The level of trust and reciprocity between families and strangers in these towns either enables or inhibits the community to take care of essential needs, such as food, during a time of crisis. The degree to which members of the community perceive the response a “success” shapes how the community reflects and prepares for future climate shock events. The theory forming is the place shapes the capacity for social capital, while people’s use of social capital determine a community’s solidary or separation.
What are your future career goals? I am applying to PhD programs with the goal of furthering my skills in research, gaining experience in teaching, and advancing my career higher education. After I earn my PhD in three to four years, I will teach at the college level and conduct university based research.