Urban Agricultural Conservation Planner & Program Manager

• Feb 2019 - Present

The Prince George’s Soil Conservation District’s Urban Agricultural Conservation Program provides urban farmers with the tools and services needed to implement Best Management Practices to conserve soil and water resources. Promote soil and water conservation practices with urban farmers through the development of Soil Conservation & Water Quality Plans and Cooperator support Provide resources, technical services and other support to aspiring and new urban farmers (34) in PGC Support and collaborate with a variety of local, state, regional and national stakeholders (65) in the agriculture (urban and rural), conservation, and food sovereignty, equity and policy arenas Assist with managing and updating PGSCD’s website and social media platforms Provide urban farm community with resources, training and networking events through Bloomin’ PGC Urban Farm Initiative Present on urban agriculture and PGSCD at local, state, regional and national meetings and conferences Coordinate PGC Envirothon training, competition, funding and other elements with the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center Co-chair and provide support to the Prince George’s County Public School’s Environment, Agriculture & Natural Resources Program Advisory Committee Co-chair the Prince George’s Food Equity Council’s Urban Farm Fowl Legislation committee and assist the Farmers Market committee to support opportunities for both residents and producers Partnered with ECO City Farms to develop a Soil Heath, Conservation & Composting badge in conjunction with ECO’s certificate program in Commercial Urban Agriculture at Prince George’s Community College Partnered with ECO City Farms, MD National Capital Park & Planning Commission and Food Equity Council to identify space, concept and partners to launch an urban farm incubator at Watkins Mill Regional Park Show less

President, Board of Directors (Volunteer)

• Jun 2019 - Jul 2021

Principal | Health Coach | Nutritional Consultant | PLAYcoach

• Mar 2007 - Jun 2019

Develop and conduct workshops, cooking classes and curriculum for both individual and group health programs on the “how-to’s” and benefits of seasonal whole foods cooking, eating locally, healthy living and stress management Develop and implement business plans and marketing strategies, including social media, food blog, electronic newsletters, budgets, sponsorship, community outreach and business and community partnerships Cultivate corporate clients and execute on-site workplace wellness programs and food demonstrations Work with people that have special diets, digestive issues, weight loss needs, diabetes, Candida, food allergies, cardiovascular issues, emotional eating challenges, and menu planning difficulties Publications include “Shelving Stress with Nutrition” in Job Stress and the Librarian by Smallwood & Wade and “Your Backyard Salad Bar: Edible Weeds” in the spring 2009 issue of Edible Chesapeake. Show less

Agriculture Marketing Specialist

• Jul 2015 - Jan 2019

Promote and support agriculture in Prince George's County including: Promote farms and farmers markets in Prince George’s County through the monthly Farms & Food e-newsletter, both the UMD Extension, PGC and Farms & Food websites, and a variety of networking opportunitiesAdvocate for legislation that promotes increased access to healthy food along with profitable farms and farmers markets in Prince George's CountyCollaborate with other UMD Extension, Prince George’s County staff to promote Extension in the County including editing and contributing to the monthly “Solutions in your Community” newsletter and attend outreach events including the Food Equity Forum and various open houses.Prepare and disseminate emails, social media posts and other timely written communications related to Prince George’s County agriculture to farmers, farmers’ market managers, local government officials and agencies including information about UME workshops and trainings and local and state grant opportunitiesProvide direct expertise by phone and/or email to farmers, farmers market managers and community organizations regarding any state or county regulatory/legislative issuesAttend and contribute to key meetings with community partners, including M-NCPPC/PGC, PGCPS Environmental Studies Academy Advisory Committee (co-chair), PGC Farm Bureau, PGC Soil Conservation District, PGC Food Equity Council, PGC Conference and Visitors Bureau, Maryland Agricultural & Resource Based Industry-Based Corporation, Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (including Southern Maryland Hub & Spoke, and Southern Maryland Meats) and UMD Facilitate grants through the PGC Farm Bureau (4-H programs and equipment) Show less

Agriculture Marketing Consultant

• Aug 2014 - Jun 2015

Promote and support agriculture in Prince George's County including: Promote farms and farmers markets in Prince George’s County through the monthly Farms & Food e-newsletter, both the UMD Extenstion, PGC and Farms & Food websites, and a variety of networking opportunitiesCollaborate with other UMD Extension, Prince George’s County staff to promote Extension in the County including editing and contributing to the monthly “Solutions in your Community” newsletter and attend outreach events including the 100th Year Anniversary Open House, Battle of Bladensburg Undaunted Event and Food DayPrepare and disseminate emails, social media posts and other timely written communications related to Prince George’s County agriculture to farmers, farmers’ market managers, local government officials and agencies including information about UME workshops and trainings and local and state grant opportunitiesProvide direct expertise by phone and/or email to farmers, farmers market managers and community organizations regarding any state or county regulatory/legislative issuesAttend and contribute to key meetings with community partners, including M-NCPPC/PGC, PGCPS Environmental Studies Academy Advisory Committee (co-chair), PGC Farm Bureau, PGC Soil Conservation District, PGC Food Equity Council, PGC Conference and Visitors Bureau, Maryland Agricultural & Resource Based Industry-Based Corporation, Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (including Southern Maryland Hub & Spoke, Crop Hop and Southern Maryland Meats) and UMD Facilitate grants through the PGC Farm Bureau (4-H programs and equipment, Crop Hop bike tour) and UMD Animal & Avian Sciences (livestock grant); Solicited donations for 100th Anniversary Open House and Crop Hop bike tour Show less

Education, Membership & Outreach Coordinator

• 2009 - Jun 2015

Develop and maintain social media marketing tools, electronic newsletter, and website content and updates Develop and conduct health seminars and food demonstrations for 75 members and other patrons, 2 to 3 times per month Serve as a staff resource for natural foods and organic products, fair trade items, and local farms and food vendors Manage the information center and create handouts and publications related to health and wellness Develop "Healthy Option" signage and criteria for store products Maintain membership database of roughly 9,500 members and respond to member communications Coordinate and participate in quarterly community outreach events Created a food demonstration segment for FOX 5 Hometown Heroes Show less

Co-Founder & Board Member

• Nov 2007 - Jan 2015

Organize the founding board and mission of the organization Develop and maintain vendor application and handbook, 501(c)3 status and start-up documents (by-laws, Articles of Inc.) Solicit and secure vendors, community groups and chefs for demonstrations; Coordinate and conduct vendor site visits Apply for grants and coordinate fundraising events Meet with Greenbelt City Manager, Planner, and Council regarding market objectives, legislation and collaborations Manage market master and volunteer staff; Coordinate objectives and goals with board members Promote the market through outreach events, social media marketing tools and electronic newsletter Educate patrons and the market community on the benefits of eating locally (health, local agriculture support, environment) Show less

Instructor & Teacher's Assistant, Holistic Nutrition Certification Program

• Nov 2009 - Dec 2012

Taught roughly 50 adult students 1 to 2 weekends per month in holistic nutrition modalities using the Tulsi curriculum Developed aspects of curriculum including vitamin fact sheets, holistic nutrition applications and menu ideas Developed handouts and interactive exercises to assist students with various learning styles Graded homework to check for understanding of holistic nutrition theories Advised students on how to prepare for the American Association for Nutritional Consultant’s, Certified Nutritional Consultant exam Show less

Program Director

• Oct 1999 - Jan 2007

Received the 2005 Garden Clubs of America, Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award for Environmental Educators for developing and conducting WYG curriculum and programs Designed and implemented year-round education programs with agricultural, environmental, culinary, nutritional and cooperative learning themes for approximately 500 elementary school students in Northeast DC Managed staff that included a staff of 10 including regular volunteers Coordinated and supervised volunteer events with large groups of 20 to 50 volunteers from local organizations Assisted staff and volunteers with shaping and maintaining the organic, ¾-acre garden that includes individual plots, communal vegetable plots, herb bed, butterfly garden, and cut flower garden Researched and composed grant proposals; Solicited in-kind donations for curriculum materials and garden supplies Developed and implemented an evaluation system to validate the youth programs' effectiveness and outreach Built and maintained relationships with community partners for fundraising and programmatic purposes Promoted program through special events such as fundraisers and educational programs, including a 5K Fun Run Developed and managed $200,000 budget for WYG program Interviewed with various medial outlets including: WAMU Metro Connections with Stephanie Kaye, WPFW Bush Medicine with Dr. Sunyatta Amen, WUSA 9 with Howard Bernstein and FOX5 News with Holly Morris Show less

Assistant Director

• Nov 1998 - Oct 1999

Helped compose grants, researched potential funders, generated financial reports and payroll and bookeeping Conducted educational activities for local schools Helped compose grants, researched potential funders, generated financial reports and payroll and bookkeeping Conducted educational activities with farming and environmental themes for 15 local schools Recruited, coordinated, oriented, and supervised over 200 volunteers Maintained Microsoft Access database of volunteers, foundations, and emergency food agencies Assisted with the growing, maintenance, harvest, and delivery of 20 acres of organic vegetables, fruits, herbs, cut flowers Show less