To learn from one another and find synergies among our skills, we bring together a dynamic group of graduate students, postdocs, faculty, research staff, undergraduate students, extensionists, farmers and other professionals. Within our community, we take seriously our culture of care, critical friendship, and collaboration. In practice, our work together can consist of members facilitating a workshop on a specific practical skill; jointly analyzing a project or proposal from multiple disciplinary, non-academic, and normative perspectives; or simply spending time together for food, fun, and friendship. We are committed to anti-racism and anti-oppression and center justice and equity in our pursuit of sustainability transitions.

Since we aim to support one another to enhance our collective work, we also expect our community members to “show up”: to participate in and contribute to our community to the best of their abilities. Participation as a member of the Community of Practice is open to those who are working with the Institute for Agroecology and implies an active and ongoing engagement in our meetings and activities.

There are several ways to connect to the work of the Institute and our Community of Practice!

The Coordinating Committee (CoCo)

The Coordinating Committee (CoCo) of the Agroecology Community of Practice plays an essential role in in orienting our work. Besides attending to the day-to-day functioning of the group - organizing the schedule of meetings and social outings for the semester - the CoCo keeps an eye on how our social process aligns with what we hope to achieve together. They play a key leadership role, facilitating our community's collective envisioning and our moments of reflection. 

Current Members of the Coordinating Committee

Martha Caswell

Associate Director of Community and Learning, IFA

martha.caswell@uvm.edu

Ayana Curran-Howes

PhD Student, Food Systems

ayana.curran-howes@uvm.edu

Katie Horner

Postdoctoral Associate, IFA

catherine.horner@uvm.edu

Scott Lewins

Extension Coordinator, IFA

slewins@uvm.edu

Michelle Nikfarjam

PhD Student, Food Systems

michelle.nikfarjam@uvm.edu

Ways to connect to the Institute for Agroecology and its Community of Practice:

• Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media (Twitter | Instagram | Facebook)
• Take a course led by one or several members of the Community of Practice
• Attend any of our many public meetings or speaker events
• Become a collaborator on one of our projects
• For those who share our mission and vision; who are connected to the Institute for Agroecology as a collaborator, student or peer; and who have the capacity to participate regularly and actively in the Community of Practice, please email agroecology@uvm.edu or reach out to a community member for more information.