Wenatchee, Washington, United States
With 40+ years of experience, my passion for the pursuit of food system sustainability includes agronomic skills, environmental assessment, project design and management, and technical and lay audience written and oral communication. Creative thinking, teamwork, bridge-building, and impact assessment are key skills I bring to the topic. I have worked with growers, consumers, industry and advocacy groups, government agencies, and companies on a wide variety of sustainability issues. My work has led to measurable impacts, such as reduced soil erosion, water conservation, improved profitability, greater access to sector information, millions of acres of farmland under ecolabel, and use of "climate friendly" practices.
Conduct discrete projects for clients, including: • organic apple industry assessment for potential investors • standards development and pilot audits on mint and cranberry for ecolabel organization • ‘white paper’ for promotion of insect frass as a biofertilizer • plans for land application for treatment of food processing wastewater • organic sector trends data analysis • training on orchard floor management and soil health for field staff of multinational company • training of salesforce on US organic agriculture • training of agricultural lenders group on organic agriculture trends and practices • organic fruit trends reports for Chilean fruit company • uses for novel organic by-products • tree nursery options for more sustainable groundcover management for commercial tree nursery • paid speaking engagements on various sustainable agriculture topics
I worked as a statewide extension specialist to help advance sustainability throughout Washington State agriculture. This included applied field research (soil erosion control; soil health; orchard floor management; use of organic amendments; mulching; legumes for nitrogen fixation); extension education (e.g., compost, genetic engineering, organic farming, assessing environmental impact of agriculture, Climate Friendly Farming, soil health), and teaching (Agroecology course, guest lectures). Led projects on dryland cereal-legume farming, organic trends and economics for Washington State, Climate Friendly Farming, legume alleycropping in orchards.
Led the on-farm research component of a regional project working on solving profitability and environmental problems in agriculture, with a focus on groundwater contamination. Wrote the book "Reshaping the Bottom Line", an early sustainable agriculture guidebook for growers.
Was part of the agronomy team for the Farming Systems Research and Education Project for the Lesotho Ministry of Agriculture. Conducted field research on multi-purpose maize (high tillering for forage along with grain), forage crops for acidic soils, and maize-legume intercropping for nitrogen fixation. Wrote three extension publications.
Co-managed an organic farm in the Methow Valley of Washington State. Helped develop garlic production as a cash crop in the area. Produced vegetables for the local farmers market, for sales to retail stores, and for direct-to-consumer subscription sales. Participated with Tilth Producers Cooperative on early organic standards. Was part of a team offering experiential education events related to culture, agriculture, and the environment. Involved in developing alternatives to conventional pesticides for forest lands and roadsides.