Hometown: Carmel Valley, California
Educational Background: B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Vermont
What Food Systems program track are you on? Research Master's
How did you learn about the Food Systems program and what made you interested in applying? I learned about the food systems program during my senior year in college. I knew I wanted to go to graduate school, but I was having difficulty identifying a program that fit my educational goals. The program’s multidisciplinary approach combines the physical and social sciences in a collaborative setting, and that is what drew me to the Food Systems program at UVM.
Tell us more about your educational background and your interests. During my first year as an undergraduate at UVM, I participated in a student run dairy program called CREAM. It was my first experience with agriculture, and I absolutely fell in love with dairy farming. After my year in the CREAM program, I started a job on a local dairy farm. As I learned more about farming practices, I also started to recognize that the average American is several generations removed from the farm. While many people have an interest in learning more about the origins of their food, they don’t often have a way of accessing that information.
What are your future career goals? I am just a few short weeks away from defending my thesis and after what I hope is a successful defense, I would like to begin a career in agricultural communications. I am interested in bridging the gap between agriculture and the general public, and fostering a positive conversation and understanding between farmers and consumers.
Have you learned anything in particular, since entering the program that has surprised you? Before beginning the program, I had experience with quantitative research but I honestly didn’t even know that qualitative research existed. When we first learned about qualitative research methods, I was pretty skeptical. However, literally 30 seconds into the first qualitative interview I conducted with a farmer, I developed a whole new appreciation and understanding for qualitative methods. As someone who is interested in communication, I think qualitative methods are really powerful, and I’m glad to have learned about them in this program.
Please leave us with a fun fact about yourself. I am a total morning person. I have no problem waking up at 5am or earlier and starting the day. However, ask me to do anything that requires brain power after 6pm, and you might be disappointed.