I am a recent Cornell University graduate majoring in Plant Science with a concentration in sustainable plant production. At Cornell, I fell in love with New York and its agricultural community. My goal is to empower farmers to reach our societal goals of sustainability in ways that are environmentally conscious, provide quality standards of living for farmers and workers, and build strong communities that have a connection to their food system. Understanding and solving the problems in our current systems requires more than just science and research, but a shift in how we understand ourselves and the way we relate to the natural world around us. For this reason, while perusing a degree that provided me with technically knowledge of crop production, I also explored Indigenous philosophies and thought systems that provided a different context for how we as humans can relate to out environment. I believe that small-scale farms are the answer to solving our food sustainability issue. I am continually impressed with the driven, inclusive, and supportive community this group of like-minded people have created. I strive to empower these farms with techniques such as agroforestry, agroecology, and permaculture that allow agriculture to utilize the strengths of the natural world rather than fight it.