Fellows
![People eating at a table spread with beautiful food](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/article-image.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Fellow Description
The Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation works at the nexus of food, community, and society to catalyze new food system possibilities that are essential to advancing the human condition in Virginia and beyond. Being a Center fellow helps put you at the heart of this effort to bring change to our communities.
A fellow is an outstanding individual who is part of a university, organization, or community that follows the aims of the Center and is a leader and resource to community members and stakeholders in their area. These individuals have a passion for exploring critical and often complex issues related to the food system, and are committed to supporting and working towards a more equitable, just, and healthy food system.
Being a fellow is an excellent way to participate in networking, professional development, and skill development related to community change processes as part of a community-university collective. All fellows will be highlighted on the Center’s website as a valuable resource, and you will have many opportunities to share your knowledge and experience with other fellows and community members. Specifically, it provides opportunity to engage with scholarship related to food systems work and learn from the practice-based experiences of peers from the region and beyond.
Fellows of the Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation are expected to be leaders in their communities. As such, we ask that you be involved with hosting a Center event once per year. This may be a speaking event, where you discuss a project or current work being done by your organization. It may also be a training program or podcast you offer for community members and other fellows.
In addition to hosting an annual event, fellows are expected to remain interested and involved with the Center’s work. The Center works to bring multiple speakers to Virginia each year, and also hosts community events, such as learning circles and workshops. While fellows are not expected to attend every event, it is anticipated that Center fellows offer input on event details and support the Center’s work by sharing news about the Center throughout their communities.
How can you become a Center fellow?
Fill out our Center Fellow Participation Form.
Current Fellows
In addition to the below list of fellows we have a core team, advisory group, and partners, listed on our People Page.
![Ozzie Abaye](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_1109490490/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Ozzie Abaye
Professor of Agronomy
CALS Global Programs
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Virginia Tech
![Jessica Agnew Jessica Agnew](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_121913/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Jessica Agnew, PhD, MSc, MPH
Associate Director
CALS Global
Virginia Tech
www.jessicalagnew.com
www.buy2thrive.com
Impact of Blockchain Technology on Food Insecurity Report
![John Bovay Thomas Archibald](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_121913_531294223/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Thomas Archibald (he/him) Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education Virginia Tech
Website
![John Bovay John Bovay](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_121913_278197021/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
John Bovay
Assistant Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics
Faculty Affiliate, Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture
Virginia Tech
Faculty website
Virginia Sustainable Farms and Agribusiness Education Initiative
![Reed Byg Rachael Budowle](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_121913_988094858/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Rachael Budowle
Collegiate Assistant Professor Honors College Virginia Tech Interinstitutional Network for Food, Agriculture, and Sustainability (INFAS) Justice Chair
![Reed Byg Reed Byg](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_121913_73913893/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Reed Byg
PhD Student
Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought
![Michael Carter Junior](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_414033929/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Michael Carter Jr. (Ben Ore)
Coordinator
Small Farm Outreach Program
Virginia State University
Farmer at Carter Farms
thecarterfarms.com
vasmallfarmers.com
![Duron Chavis](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_176631_887067259/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Duron Chavis
Director/Founder
The Happily Natural Day
Thenaturalfestival.com
Duronchavis.com
![Marcus Comer](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_176631/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.png)
Marcus Comer
Professor and Extension Specialist
College of Agriculture
Virginia State University
![Natalie Cook](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_176631_834997675/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Natalie Cook, PhD
Assistant Professor
Public Health
Virginia Tech
Faculty Webpage
![Nicolas Copeland](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_1766316503/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Nicholas Copeland, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of History
Virginia Tech
The Guatemalan Water Network (REDAGUA)
![Danielle Christensen](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_1275099679/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Danille Elise Christensen
Assistant Professor
Department of Religion and Culture
Virginia Tech
Faculty webpage
![Tanya Denckla Cobb](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_174784/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Tanya Denckla Cobb
Director, Institute for Engagement & Negotiation, University of Virginia
Chair / Facilitator, UVA Sustainable Food Collaborative
![Maria Elisa Christie](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_894816_1519739631/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Maria Elisa Christie
Director
Women and Gender in International Development
Virginia Tech
Faculty Webpage
![Amyrose Foll](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_894816_1470077440/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Amyrose Foll
Program Director, Urban Agriculture Collective, Cultivate Charlottesville
Executive Director, Virginia Free Farm
Board Member, Common Grain Alliance
![John Galbraith](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_894816/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Dr. John M. Galbraith
Associate Professor of Soil and Wetland Sciences and Extension Soils Specialist
Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension
NRV Glean Team, Faculty webpage
![Eranga Galappaththi](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_145315_1497601842/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Eranga Galappaththi Assistant Professor Department of Geography
Virginia Tech
![Maaz Gardezi](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_145315_1157900235/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Maaz Gardezi
Assistant Professor
Sociology
Virginia Tech
Lab: TES LAB
![Bikrum Singh Gill](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_130577/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Bikrum Singh Gill, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science
Virginia Tech
Four Stories about Food Sovereignty
Faculty webpage
![Leonard Githinji](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_145315/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Leonard Githinji
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
Sustainable & Urban Agriculture
Virginia State University
![Saul Halfon](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_230700096/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Saul Halfon, PhD
Associate Professor and Graduate Director
Department of Science, Technology, & Society
Virginia Tech
Faculty webpage
![Ralph Hall](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_1890678098/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Ralph P. Hall (he/him)
Associate Professor & Associate Director
School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) at Virginia Tech
https://ralphphall.com/; https://ashfordhall2018.com/
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/95218
https://malawiedandchildwelfare.wordpress.com/
Impact of Blockchain Technology on Food Insecurity Report
![Mae Hey](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_620242777/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Mae Hey
Assistant Professor
Department of History
Virginia Tech
![Bryce Hoflund](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_192752/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Bryce Hoflund, Phd
Facilitator and Subject Matter Expert
Food Policy Working Group
Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance
![Vivica Crack](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_280891924/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Vivica Kraak, PhD, MS, RDN
Associate Professor
Food and Nutrition Policy, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
Virginia Tech
Faculty webpage
![Steve Kruger](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_383166/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Steve Kruger
Garden Coordinator
Live Work Eat Grow
www.liveworkeatgrow.org
![Jacob Lahne](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_383166189/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.png)
Jacob Lahne, PhD
Assistant Professor of Food Science & Technology
Virginia Tech
Faculty webpage
![Meredith Ledlie Johnson](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_960411/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Meredith Ledlie Johnson
VT Policy, Systems and Environmental Change Programming Coordinator
Facilitator of Virginia Community and School Garden Network
Food Security Sub Committee of the First Lady's Children's Cabinet work group
![Bob Leonard](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_960411401/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Robert (Bob) Leonard
Professor of Directing and Performance
School of Performing Arts
Virginia Tech
Faculty Webpage
![Chad Martin](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_116615_4973014/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Chad Martin (he/him/his)
Environmental Justice Coordinator
The Department of Environmental Quality
Councilman
City of Martinsville
Board of Directors VA Food System Council
Chad Martin | LinkedIn
![Maureen McGonagle](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_116615_1558732350/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Maureeen (Mo) McGonagle
Director of Regional Partnerships
The Local Environmental Agriculture Project (LEAP)
![Sarah Misyak](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_116615/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Sarah Misyak, PhD, MPH
Assistant Director and Program Manager for Research and Evaluation
Family Nutrition Program (EFNEP and SNAP-Ed)
Virginia Cooperative Extension
The Department of Human Nutrition, Foods & Exercise
Virginia Tech
![Joshua Mott](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_116615_466673605/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Joshua Mott
Reserach Associate
Corn and Small Grains Extension
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Virginia Tech
![John Munsell](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_1166153096/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
John Munsell
Associate Professor & Forest Management Extension Specialist
Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Virginia Tech
ABFFC; VT Agroforestry
![Erin Nuckols](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_922666_1871586415/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Sophie Nicholakos
Master's Student
School of Plant and Environmental Science, Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
Virginia Tech
![Erin Nuckols](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_922666069/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Erin Lorann Nuckols
PhD Student
Environmental Design & Planning Program, Myers Lawson School of Construction
Virginia Tech
www.lunarelm.com
![Molly Parker](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_copy_3/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Molly Parker
Collegiate Assistant Professor
Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
Virginia Tech
![Victoria Persinger Ferguson](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_copy_3_1838193860/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Victoria Persinger Ferguson
Program Director Solitude
Office for Inclusion and Diversity
Virginia Tech Enrolled Citizen of the Monacan Indian Nation
![Brianna Posadas](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_copy_326064701/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Brianna B. Posadas
Assistant Professor
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Virginia Tech
briannaposadas.com
![Jayesh Samtani](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_copy/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Jayesh Samtani
Assistant Professor and Small Fruit Extension Specialist; Hampton Roads AREC, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Virginia Tech
Faculty Webpage
![Laina Schneider](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_copy_c_1048978445/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Laina Schneider
Kitchen Manager
Millstone Kitchen
Live Work Eat Gather Inc.
https://oldschoolpricesfork.org/
![Lester Schonberger](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_copy_c/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
H. Lester Schonberger
Associate Extension Specialist
Food Science and Technology
Virginia Tech
![Desiree Shelly Flores](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_134816_1946689620/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Desiree Shelley
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education
Virginia Tech
Yesa:sahį Language Project
Board Member of Southwest Virginia Agrarian Commons and Alliance of Native SeedKeepers
Member Women's Earth Alliance
![Mary Sketch Bryant](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_134816/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Mary Sketch Bryant
Coordinator, Virginia Soil Health Coalition
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Virginia Tech
4 the Soil
![Photo of Rebekah Slabach](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_134816_1746287931/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Rebekah Slabach
Associate Director
Alliance to Advance Climate Smart Agriculture
Virginia Tech
![Adam Taylor](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_1348168578/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Adam Taylor
Manager, VT's Catawba Sustainability Center
Owner/Operator, Singing Spring Farm
President, Virginia Association of Biological Farming
![Anna Zeide](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_111445/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Anna Zeide
Associate Professor, History
Director, Food Studies Program
Virginia Tech
annazeide.org
![Pete Ziegler](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_1114450588/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Pete Ziegler
Assistant Professor of Practice
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Director, Civic Agriculture & Food Systems Minor Program Director, USDA-NIFA Food and Agricultural Education Information System
Fellow Alumni
Our fellow alumni members participated in the fellow community during their studies at Virginia Tech and continue to do so as they have moved to new places and into roles.
![Renata Carneiro](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_414033/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Renata Carneiro
Assistant Professor
Chemistry and Fermentation Science
Appalachian State University
![Susan Chen](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_176631_1362756121/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Susan Chen
Assistant Professor
Nutrition, Food Science, and Packaging
San José State University
![Letisha Engracia Cardoso Brown](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_1747848041/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Letisha Engracia Cardoso Brown
Assistant Professor
University of Cincinnati
![Nicole Nunoo](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_922666_2103486352/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Nicole I. Nunoo
PhD Student
Agricultural Leadership and Community Education
Virginia Tech
Publications
![Joyce Latimer](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_101477_465868428/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Joyce Latimer
Retired Professor and Extension Specialist
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Virginia Tech
![Kasey Owen Henry](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_922666/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Kasey Owen
MS Student and Graduate Teaching Assistant
Agricultural Leadership and Community Education
Virginia Tech
![Matthew Reiss](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_copy_c_1933138149/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Matthew Reiss
Graduate Student
College of Architecture and Urban Studies
Virginia Tech
Owner and Operator of Gnomestead Hollow Farm and Forage
![French Price](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
French Price
Education and Training Specialist
Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences
University of Florida
![Jenny Schwanke](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_copy_c_700160250/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
Jenny Schwanke
Former Community Garden Coordinator
Live, Work, Eat, Gather, Inc.
blacksburgcommunitygardens.com
![William Singer](/content/foodsystems_centers_vt_edu/en/fellows/_jcr_content/content/vtmulticolumn_copy_c_1276739579/vt-items_0/adaptiveimage.transform/m-medium/image.jpg)
William Singer
Post Doctoral Associate
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences & Translational Plant Sciences
Virginia Tech