Agricultural Marketing Specialist, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Transportation and Marketing. 2021-present. Uses applied market research principles to develop research-focused cooperative agreements aimed at improving local and regional food systems. Defines and plans project scope, directs data collection and analysis efforts, works with colleagues across USDA, creatively works to develop new ways to share information, coordinate goals, develop communications, and disseminate research findings.
Details to the Agricultural Marketing Service in 2018 and 2019 included work in data visualization and mapping, 2018 Farm Bill, and with various USDA grant programs. As the Acting Local and Regional Food Systems Policy Advisor, coordinated and facilitated interagency meetings, quarterly calls with Administrator and Deputy Administrators, and partnered with National Agricultural Library on agency-relevant resources.
Social Science Research Analyst, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Office of Policy Support, 2016 to present. Designed interdisciplinary multi-year research and evaluations focused on the federal Child Nutrition and Food Distribution programs, currently focused on school meals, center-based food programs, farm to school, food safety, and procurement, including data collection efforts and OMB clearance, research methodology considerations, and the application of statistical methods for data evaluation. Managed and provided guidance for the contracts and grants in place to carry out the qualitative and quantitative evaluation activities. Prepared written materials and reports on program access, effectiveness, and participation. Founding member of the Leadership Council for the FNCS Women in Agriculture chapter and elected At-Large Member for the Executive Board for the USDA-wide organization, worked to create events and opportunities for women in the agency and department.
Study of Food Safety Needs of Adult Day Care Centers in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (2019)
Evaluation of Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables (2018)
Analyst, Government Accountability Office, 2015-2016. Collaborated with teams on research methodology and design, data collection, message development, and data analysis on federal programs. Position included interviews with agency officials, collecting information, conducting analyses, and drafting reports. Prepared written materials using evidence standards and collaborated to produce final report on emergency international food aid (GAO-14-22), Department of Energy contracts (GAO 16-529), and afterschool learning programs (GAO 17-400).
Research Associate, Department of Youth, Family, and Community Sciences, North Carolina State University.
2015-present: Research regarding food safety plans at farmers' markets in NC and VA.
2014-2015: Development and analysis of instruments to increase food handling knowledge and practices at North Carolina food pantries statewide.
2011-2013: Development and evaluation of best practices tool for food safety in community and school gardens. Designed evaluation and empirically tested curriculum in 3 NC counties.
Graduate Research Consultant, Department of Public Policy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Assisted undergraduate students with research projects related to course.
PLCY 575: Science Policy, Professor Maryann Feldman, Spring 2013
PLCY 210: Policy Innovation and Analysis, Professor Maryann Feldman, Fall 2012
PLCY 089: State Parks and Conservation Policy, Professor Jonathan Howes, Spring 2011
Research Assistant, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Summer 2011. Lead graduate student on literature review on food systems commissioned by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.
Research Assistant to Charlotte Price, Sarah Lawrence College, Spring 2004. Researched subjects for college-level economics course for women incarcerated at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in New York.