My job includes supporting beginning farmers with their businesses and production skills, and assisting them in accessing resources to be successful. I also work with teachers, students, and community members through farm to school programming.

Before taking on my current role, I was on the Center’s Advisory Committee, participated in the Center’s business classes to help build my farm business, and always kept up with what the organization was doing. When a position opened up that fit my skill set (farming, education, supporting markets), I was very interested and applied. I saw the impacts the Center was making in the lives of real people and rural communities and its dedication to relationships, grassroots power building, and transparency, and I wanted to be a part of that.

Since 2013, I have worked in food systems and farm to school as well as operated two farm businesses in southwest Iowa. I love supporting young and diverse farmers in Nebraska and southwest Iowa who grow and raise table food, assisting them with funding and education to make their operations, conservation, and life goals actualized. My passion is teaching others, and I am energized by sharing skills related to healthy soil and better growing practices.

While I grew up in Omaha, I lived in Harrison County in southwest Iowa for 11 years, and started farming vegetables, herbs, flowers, and chickens. I cannot say enough about the beauty of my time there, especially the relationship I built with the Loess Hills.

I love to hike, in particular in the Loess Hills, and would prefer to spend most of my time out in the prairie or forest learning about plants. I grow native plants and medicinal herbs that I share with my community. I also enjoy saving seeds, sharing them, and learning how we can grow more seeds locally.

Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my two kiddos, Catalpa and Mira, and supporting their interests such as soccer, climbing, drawing, etc. Since I have recently moved back to Omaha, I am excited about more mutual-aid work around herbs and herbalism.

Q&A

What is one piece of advice you have never forgotten?

Be in relationship with all species, all kin. There is so much to learn from the natural world which we are not separate from; we are a part of all of it. I think this is critically important for humans to remember.

What is one of your pet peeves?

In-the-box thinking.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?

Taking a long hike/walk.