I was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. I attended the University of Missouri, where I fell in love with agriculture and received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry. During my time in University, I took courses all over the world. I studied in Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa focusing on ecology, organic agriculture, conservation, and wildlife management.
After university, I moved to Alaska to research Muskoxen at the Large Animal Research Station at the University of Fairbanks. The bulk of my research prioritized the study of animal behavior, northern ag-systems, and ruminant nutrition.
I served as an environmental conservation volunteer with the Peace Corps in Paraguay. During my service, I helped create a community garden, taught organic gardening in local schools, and partnered with Para la Tierra, a local non-profit, to host an eco-club for youth in my community.
After spending a couple of years in Paraguay teaching youth about organic agriculture and environmental conservation, I returned to the US to continue sharing this information with young minds. This desire led me to the field of experimental education. For the past two years, I have traveled the world as an overseas educator, guiding students on educational and service-based travel programs. I have led programs in places like East Africa, Chile, Costa Rica, and Hawai’i. In that role, I acted as a facilitator of knowledge and became a mentor for students seeking to discover more about themselves and the world around them.
I’m excited to put down some roots working with Big Island Farms internship program. I look forward to offering guidance as interns learn more about living in harmony with the natural world. My goal is to help create a fun learning environment where everyone feels welcomed to be themselves and enjoy a unique, educational, and life-changing experience.