Oversee successful implementation of Mass. Farm to School professional development programs, such as MA Farm to School Institute & statewide MA Farm & Sea to School Conference. Develop, grow, & provide strategic support to the MA Farm to School Network. Increase sales to local farmers & producers by providing direct technical assistance to school-based food buyers & supply chain personnel.

For Chicopee MA Public Schools: Increased the quantity & variety of fresh, local, & healthy foods purchased & served for Chicopee school lunch & breakfast meals from $164K (FY16) to $316K (FY18). Assessed program effectiveness through tracking, measuring, & evaluating via regular procurement auditing & reporting. Developed policies & solutions for existing/emerging program needs for continuing local food procurement activities once grant funds were exhausted; Provided training to permanent school nutrition staff to grow in-house capacity. Other Contracts: Provided one-on-one technical assistance to school/institutional food buyers in MA & CT; Crafted compelling donor-centric proposals, concept letters & other correspondence, budgets & other supporting financials; Assisted in the strategy, writing & production of foundation requests.

Developed grant proposals and budgets & oversaw implementation of grant objectives. Facilitated development and achievement of common goals, specializing in participatory and inclusive decision-making processes. Supervised department of 8-12 sustainability staff and interns. Performed organizational development to define departmental vision, mission, strategies, role clarifications, and core values. Oversaw UMass Permaculture Initiative. Developed strategic communications plans & supported marketing campaigns & promotions. Maintained strong working knowledge of small-scale farming operations, food systems, and high-volume foodservice operations. Developed & delivered presentations, workshops, and tours. Developed marketing & communications content for awards, web and print promotional materials, public releases and media alerts.

Planned & developed 1st weekly summer farmers market in Burlington, MA. Fundraised & performed business management tasks, vendor recruitment, venue selection & on the ground logistics. Coordinated team of market volunteers. Developed & managed community partnerships to support the market including: Town of Burlington residents, farmers/vendors, MA Dept of Agricultural Resources, Board of Health, Town Selectmen, Police Dept, market venue. Coordinated marketing/promotions & communications.

Shared responsibility with other crew members for organic pest management across 11-acre farm. Oriented new volunteers and contributed to a fun and engaging atmosphere.

Developed content for EDF best practices report for supply chain personnel to minimize environmental impact from goods movement & transportation (particularly around multi-modal approaches & streamlining fleet vehicle deliveries). Published content on viability of electric vehicles for Fleet Financials Magazine and Environmental Defense Fund blog.

Prepared background reports on state environmental issues for Committee members & legislative aides (focus on state-wide resources management issues). Researched & edited language on MA bills to conform with interstate regulations.