Experience

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  USDA NIFA Farmer Rancher Stress Assistance Network

  • Souther Region

  • Director, Strategic Partnerships

    • Aug 2023 - Present
    • Souther Region

    SAgE Network represents over a dozen Southern R1 universities with 38 (and growing) material experts across the spectrum of the agricultural complex and the stressors that can result in suicidal ideation. Our work entails the identification, qualification, validation, and evaluation of resources, including programmatic, training, and informational tools that address the root causes of stress. These resources are organized for regular review and utilization in a case-managed hotline for farmers in crisis. From faith groups to community health workers in rural spaces, native peoples initiative to veteran farmer groups, our goal is to provide recognizable, relevant access to resources where the farmers are, not just where the offices of organizations happen to be.This comprehensive approach to farm stress is crucial to address the complex challenges facing farmers across commodities, scale, markets, and regions. What works for a cotton grower in Texas can look quite different than a cotton grower in coastal North Carolina. A forester in Georgia may have very different pressures than a poultry producer in Arkansas. Our teams of researchers, agents, and community organizations continue to grow to address these needs in an authentic and informed way. Our job is not done until we have walked with our farmers through the process of accessing and benefitting from these resources, and building connections for them to support groups where they can meet other farmers facing similar challenges and help to improve the effectiveness in a peer-to-peer format.

• 

  University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Southern Region

  • Communications & Outreach Director

    • Nov 2021 - Present
    • Southern Region

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  Independent Chef

  • Traveling

  • Chef, Consultant

    • 1900 - Present
    • Traveling

    Personal Chef, Farm & Sourcing Consultant