I am 27 years old, and was raised in Lexington, Massachusetts, by
two biology professors with a strong commitment to conservationist,
simple and efficient living. My father planted fruit trees and kept a
large organic garden, such that we bought no produce in the summer
and canned plenty for the winter. In college (UC Berkeley) I lived in
a 57-member vegetarian co-op named Lothlorien, where my
workshifts included caring for our small urban garden, as well as
cooking, cleaning and bread baking. I hold a BA in environmental
science from Berkeley and an MS in ecology from Stanford. As a
child and on my own I have traveled extensively in the US and
abroad, experiencing many cultures and living under a wide range of
conditions. While conducting field work for my graduate program at
Stanford, I lived for a year in the rain forest on Hawaii Island, where
most households rely on roof catchment for water and solar panels
for power, and self-reliance is a social norm.
My decision to devote my career to the study and practice of
sustainable agriculture has evolved from all these experiences. Since
I made that decision firm, this past year, I have been living on
savings, reading on relevant topics, and volunteering in a community
garden. I have also been sitting in on two classes at UC Berkeley:
Miguel Altieri's agroecology course, which Jeff Dlott is teaching, and a
political economy course addressing the history and current state of
agriculture in the US.
Whether traveling or commuting, my preferred mode of
transportation is bicycle, but I am also comfortable driving a trailer
truck, a 4WD off-road, or a motorcycle. Jobs I have held include
editor, proofreader, peer counselor, babysitter, attendant for disabled
adults, housecleaner, investigative journalist, laboratory assistant,
ecological field assistant, and wilderness trip leader. Other skills
which may be relevant are construction, general mechanics,
electronics and general computer skills. I am also fluent in Spanish,
French and German. I consider myself physically and intellectually
energetic, and believe that I could contribute to any community that
takes me in.