I believe the most important thing anyone can do right now is to grow food. I started Ink & Soil because I want my work—our work—to help someone feed others, keep working land productive, contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem health, and provide employment and opportunity in rural spaces. It is work to feed the soul.

I’ve been a farmer, gardener, online farmers market developer, food-access-project developer, post-harvest-handling manager, organic-systems plan and food-safety plan writer, food retail employee, and more.

I am a forager, wildcrafter, herb lover, and constant seeker of food- and plant-related knowledge.

I have experience on farms and in gardens in Kentucky, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, California, Puerto Rico, Canada, Belgium, Turkey and Italy. (Add New Jersey, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland, The Netherlands and England to that list, if you want to count horse farms.)

My bachelor of science is in animal science through an industrial/confinement systems lens. My work since that time has been in organic, ecological and pasture-based production. This dichotomy provides a well-rounded background and the ability to ask questions and see all sides.

Garlic is my favorite crop to grow.

If I were a plant, I’d be Urtica dioica.

My favorite food is peanut butter.

Sharing food is one of my greatest joys. Double that if it’s food I’ve played a role in growing.