ABOUT

  • I have nearly a decade of experience leading major advocacy campaigns, building grassroots leadership development programs, cultivating broad coalitions, and collaboratively developing policy proposals. My experience includes:

    • Launching and collaboratively leading a network of organizations with frozen USDA grants to develop and execute a shared legal and advocacy strategy, provide technical assistance, and secure alternative funding for project viability.

    • Leading the National Young Farmers Coalition’s largest policy campaign, focused on expanding access to land, capital, and credit for young and BIPOC producers, which included the collaborative development and introduction of the transformative New Producer Economic Security Act.

    • Successfully developing and leading several local, state, and federal policy campaigns as the Policy Manager of the Land Stewardship Project, resulting in securing millions of public dollars, establishing numerous public programs, and passing dozens of public policies.

    • Spearheading an annual 300+ person lobby day, quarterly D.C. fly-ins, and other large-scale events.

    • Managing a training program that developed over 100 farmers and rural community members to become organizers and storytellers.

    • Serving as the founding Board Chair for Greener Pastures and a Board Member of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership.

    • Chairing the Government Relations Committee of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership for five years.

    • Managing several successful political campaigns at the local and state level.

    • Serving in elected union leadership positions.

    I hold a Master’s in Advocacy and Political Leadership (M.A.P.L.) and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. I have completed The Management Center’s Managing to Change the World and Working for Change trainings, completed the Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings Program, and am a certified Master Gardener through the University of Minnesota.

  • My current and previous clients include American Indian Mothers Inc., the Minnesota Democracy Defense Table, the Regenerative Agriculture Foundation, and Renewing the Countryside.

  • Authenticity / Community / Generosity / Persistence / Trust

  • My spouse, Willie, and I live in Saint Paul, Minnesota where we own and operate Maple Urban Farm. We raise organically-fed heritage breed laying hens, as well as over 75 varieties of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and cut flowers.

    We sell our products direct-to-consumer and raise funds to provide high-quaity, nutrient-dense food at no cost to North End Saint Paul neighbors facing financial stress.

    We are passionate about regenerative systems — we steward a composting system, rainwater capture system, and perennial pollinator habitat and utilize practices that build our soil, reduce pest pressure, and bridge our plants and animals together.

    We are owned by five cats and provide physical and medical care for a stray cat colony.

    You can learn more about our urban farm here!