Karen Nordstrom
Research Affiliate
Policy Program Co-Director, Food Solutions New England
- PhD, University of Vermont, Environment and Natural Resource
- MAE, California State University Monterey Bay
BIO
Dr. Karen Nordstrom is a food systems researcher and education specialist at the University of Vermont's Institute for Agroecology, focusing on regional food governance, transformative education, and systems change. She directs evaluation and co-leads leadership development programming for the AX Summer Research Fellowship, a USDA-funded program supporting undergraduate research in agroecology.
Her research applies the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) to examine how innovative pedagogical approaches create inclusive and collaborative learning environments in agroecology education. Additionally, through participatory action research, she investigates regional governance structures that can advance sustainable and equitable food systems across New England. Her work with Food Solutions New England contributes to policy development addressing climate resilience, biodiversity, and ecosystem health across the region.
Dr. Nordstrom's background includes Peace Corps service in El Salvador focusing on agroforestry, and graduate research examining school gardens as integrating contexts for science education. Currently, she collaborates with policy advocates, farmers, researchers, and community organizations to craft integrated approaches to regional food systems challenges. Her recent publications in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems highlight innovative approaches to undergraduate research in agroecology and transformative learning practices.
Publications
Kelly, T, K.L. Nordstrom, & S. Rogers. Seeding Food Systems Change. From the Ground Up. (Winter 2025)
Davenson, J., J. Snorek, & K.L. Nordstrom. From Extraction to Regeneration: a Just Transition Approach to Climate Resilience in the Food System. (Nov 13, 2024)
Nordstrom, K.L., J. Davenson, J. Snorek, et al. FSNE Policy Solutions Webinar. USDA Investments in Conservation and Climate Resilience: Assessing the impacts and advocating for the future. (February 23, 2024)
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: Resilience from the Ground Up: New England Soil Health and Policy Action Update. (Oct 18, 2023)
Snorek, J., J. Davenson, H. Kelley, K.L. Nordstrom, & S. Rogers. A Just Transition in Agriculture and Soil Health for Regional Climate Resilience. (Aug 14, 2023)
Nordstrom, K.L. UNH SI Network News: FSNE’s Visionary Policy Program Adopts a Landscape/Seascape Approach (May 5, 2023)
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: New England, Global Priorities & a New National Strategy for Ending Hunger and Promoting Good Nutrition(October 6, 2022).
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: What does the Inflation Reduction Act mean for New England’s Food System? (August 30, 2022).
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: Fair Play Required for Local and Regional Food Systems Transformation (June 2, 2022).
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: Across New England, Dockets Center Policy Priorities (May 2, 2022).
Area(s) of expertise
Agroecology pedagogy, participatory evaluation, educational action research, contemplative studies
Bio
Dr. Karen Nordstrom is a food systems researcher and education specialist at the University of Vermont's Institute for Agroecology, focusing on regional food governance, transformative education, and systems change. She directs evaluation and co-leads leadership development programming for the AX Summer Research Fellowship, a USDA-funded program supporting undergraduate research in agroecology.
Her research applies the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) to examine how innovative pedagogical approaches create inclusive and collaborative learning environments in agroecology education. Additionally, through participatory action research, she investigates regional governance structures that can advance sustainable and equitable food systems across New England. Her work with Food Solutions New England contributes to policy development addressing climate resilience, biodiversity, and ecosystem health across the region.
Dr. Nordstrom's background includes Peace Corps service in El Salvador focusing on agroforestry, and graduate research examining school gardens as integrating contexts for science education. Currently, she collaborates with policy advocates, farmers, researchers, and community organizations to craft integrated approaches to regional food systems challenges. Her recent publications in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems highlight innovative approaches to undergraduate research in agroecology and transformative learning practices.
Publications
Kelly, T, K.L. Nordstrom, & S. Rogers. Seeding Food Systems Change. From the Ground Up. (Winter 2025)
Davenson, J., J. Snorek, & K.L. Nordstrom. From Extraction to Regeneration: a Just Transition Approach to Climate Resilience in the Food System. (Nov 13, 2024)
Nordstrom, K.L., J. Davenson, J. Snorek, et al. FSNE Policy Solutions Webinar. USDA Investments in Conservation and Climate Resilience: Assessing the impacts and advocating for the future. (February 23, 2024)
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: Resilience from the Ground Up: New England Soil Health and Policy Action Update. (Oct 18, 2023)
Snorek, J., J. Davenson, H. Kelley, K.L. Nordstrom, & S. Rogers. A Just Transition in Agriculture and Soil Health for Regional Climate Resilience. (Aug 14, 2023)
Nordstrom, K.L. UNH SI Network News: FSNE’s Visionary Policy Program Adopts a Landscape/Seascape Approach (May 5, 2023)
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: New England, Global Priorities & a New National Strategy for Ending Hunger and Promoting Good Nutrition(October 6, 2022).
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: What does the Inflation Reduction Act mean for New England’s Food System? (August 30, 2022).
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: Fair Play Required for Local and Regional Food Systems Transformation (June 2, 2022).
Nordstrom, K.L. FSNE Policy Update: Across New England, Dockets Center Policy Priorities (May 2, 2022).
Areas of Expertise
Agroecology pedagogy, participatory evaluation, educational action research, contemplative studies