Former CEFS Graduate Fellows

Former CEFS Graduate Student Fellows

2023 Cohort – NC State

Sandy Ramsey Ethridge | Doctorate | Crop Science | NC State University

Sandy is a Ph.D. student at North Carolina State University in the Weed Ecology and Biology Lab. Her current research is focused on variable precision planting for site-specific maximization of weed suppression and yield in conventional or organic row crop systems. Field experiments were conducted to compare high density planting arrangements that maximize weed suppression, but might reduce yield, with low density planting arrangements to maximize crop yield under weed-free conditions. A bioeconomic model will then be created in order to optimize the balance between low density, weed free areas and high density, weedy areas that should be targeted for variable planting, considering seed costs and expected yield changes. This would provide a cost-benefit analysis when adopting this new integrated pest management strategy. Before she started her Ph.D., Sandy completed her Bachelor’s degree in Plant and Soil Science, with a concentration in Agroecology, at NC State. Sandy has also worked on many farms, including the Agroecology Education Farm at NC State, an organic vegetable farm in Long Island, New York, and in Dr. Jim Holland’s Maize Breeding and Genetics Lab.

DoYeong Hur | Doctorate | Soil Science | NC State University

DoYeong Hur is a Ph.D. student in Soil Science at North Carolina State University, in the Sustainable and Organic Soil Fertility Lab led by Dr. Alex Woodley. His research is primarily focused on the evaluation of enhanced efficiency fertilizers for reducing nitrous oxide emissions and ammonia volatilization in corn systems. The objective of his research is to provide production level regional emission factors, economic assessments, and reduction potential of environmental externalities of management choices that include full and reduced nitrogen rates with the use of enhanced efficiency fertilizers. DoYeong’s research aims to investigate the possibilities of reducing N losses in the form of nitrous oxide and ammonia while sustaining crop productivity by applying enhanced efficiency fertilizers. Moreover, he intends to utilize data collected over three years from six field sites annually, in conjunction with DeNitrification DeComposition (DNDC) modeling, to simulate nitrogen cycling and assess nitrous oxide emissions.

Prior to joining NC State, DoYeong completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Soil Science at Pusan National University in South Korea. During his graduate studies, he researched recycling byproducts like bottom ash to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, he contributed to research that registered nitrous oxide emission factors from various types of animal manure in South Korea with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Throughout the CEFS program, he eagerly anticipates gaining insights from colleagues and experts in this field, all the while applying and disseminating that knowledge through research and extension initiatives.

Lillian Lower | Doctorate | Biological and Agricultural Engineering | NC State University

Lillian is a Ph.D student in Biological and Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State University, in the Biocarbon Utilization and Sequestration Lab. Her research is focused on producing anode materials for lithium-ion batteries from unique biomasses and waste materials via catalytic graphitization. This process can produce battery-grade graphite from previously non-graphitizing materials and will enable the valorization of lignocellulosic wastes and residues while producing an energy storage material. The goal of this work is to study the particular implications mechanism, biomass, catalyst type and loading have on electrochemical performance of the anode materials produced. Lillian hopes that this work will create more avenues for sustainability and waste utilization in North Carolina’s food and agriculture systems while establishing interdisciplinary partnerships between material scientists and agricultural stakeholders. Before beginning her doctoral program, Lillian received her Bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University in Civil Engineering and her Master’s degree from NC State in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. She has also had the chance to work on small and large-scale urban and rural farms through an AmeriCorps term of service in West Virginia. She continues to pursue her passions for sustainability and service by being an active member of her department’s education and outreach group. Through the CEFS Fellowship, Lillian hopes to learn more about North Carolina’s farming systems and how her and her peer’s research and extension projects can create lasting impacts. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dog and cooking.

Sam Carroll | Master’s | Crop Science | NC State University

Sam is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Crop Science at NC State under the direction of Dr. David Suchoff in the Alternative Crops Lab. Her research is part of a large grant focused on developing best field practices for fiber hemp in the Southeast. She is hoping to help establish fiber hemp as an economically viable and sustainable option for growers in North Carolina as a response to the declining tobacco acreage and increasing environmental pressures. Sam’s research focuses on yield and fiber quality. Fiber hemp is a “new” crop for North Carolina (due to legislation and loss of generational knowledge of growing practices), so she enjoys experimenting with new and improving methods for planting, harvesting, and processing fiber. Fiber hemp has numerous applications in the woven and non-woven industries, which has opened the door for partnership with the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State. She hopes to use her time at NC State to build relationships between researchers, growers, and the textile industry.

Fred Teasley | Doctorate | Crop and Soil Sciences | NC State University

Fred Teasley is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences working with advisor Dr. Alex Woodley. His research is investigating soil health dynamics of farming systems transitioning from conventional to organic management. Soil health, a concept that can be broadly defined as functioning for a desired purpose, is largely tied to soil organic carbon in agroecosystems. Soil organic carbon is important for organic farming because it promotes soil biological activity, which in turn controls the release of plant nutrients from important sources, such as cover crop residues. Farmers seeking to adopt organic management are often hampered by low soil organic carbon levels, a condition especially pertinent to the Coastal Plain region of North Carolina. Therefore, the conventional-to-organic transition period represents a period of increased risk for farmers seeking to maximize yields and maintain profit.

Soil health indicators, laboratory tests that couple the biological, chemical, and physical functions of soil, can provide useful insight into the capacity of agricultural soils for supporting organic management during the transition period. However, test results may be subject to differences between soils of different regions, necessitating region-specific studies that seek to better understand how test results should be interpreted. Fred’s research seeks to better understand which soil health indicators are of the most relevance to organically managed, low carbon soils of the North Carolina Coastal Plain.

Fred obtained a B.S. from Towson University in Environmental Science and a M.S. from the University of Delaware in Plant and Soil Science. His interest in agriculture was initially kindled while engaged in work-trade arrangements on small farms located throughout the United States. Upon graduating from the University of Delaware, he took a job unrelated to agriculture working for a local government but realized that his interest in agriculture was not abating when he found himself running backyard, DIY field studies in soil fertility. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, cooking, and repairing vintage motorcycles.

2022 Cohort – NC State

Sandy Ramsey Ethridge | Doctorate | Crop Science | NC State University

Christopher Jorelle Gillespie | Doctorate | Plant Pathology | NC State University

Christopher Jorelle Gillespie was born in Champaign-Urbana. Gillespie grew up in Douglas Park, an area historically stagnated by racial segregation and economic curtailment. Raised by a single mother, Gillespie was introduced to the sciences by his grandmother, who was an educator and University of Illinois affiliate. In May 2017, Gillespie received his Bachelors in Crop and Soil Science from Michigan State University. Gillespie then matriculated to Oklahoma State University, obtaining a M.S. in Plant and Soil Science specializing in soil chemistry in June 2019. Currently, Gillespie is working towards a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology (specializing in soil biogeochemistry) at North Carolina State University. As a member of the Hu Lab, Gillespie’s primary research endeavors are focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within differing agroecosystems. Moreover, Gillespie seeks to explore the influence of soil physical properties, chemical processes, and microbial structure and functionality on GHG emissions in Southeastern soils.

Bianca Jimenez | Doctorate | Applied Ecology | NC State University

Bianca Jimenez is a PhD student within the Applied Ecology Department conducting research under the guidance of Dr. Rebecca Irwin. Her research is centered on understanding the underlying mechanisms that facilitate the transmission of the bumble bee parasite, Crithidia bombi, particularly in the context of spillback transmission. Recent studies have revealed that although bumble bees serve as the primary hosts for Crithidia bombi, other potential hosts can also become infected. What remains largely unexplored is the extent to which these alternate hosts can transmit these infections back to bumble bees. Parasitic infections in bumble bees have been linked to population declines, and such declines have direct implications for our food systems due to their role in pollination. Gaining insights into the spillback mechanisms associated with these infections could potentially contribute to mitigating the decline of bumble bee populations and thereby offer significant benefits for our food systems. In the future, Bianca aspires to continue her research, delving deeper into the factors driving bee population decline and their impacts on our food systems. She is also excited to connect with other CEFS fellows and work together to create sustainable food systems.

Linnea Kathryn Andersen | Doctorate | Applied Ecology | NC State University

Linnea Andersen is a PhD candidate at North Carolina State University. Her dissertation research is focused on using machine learning to determine genetic markers for superior aquaculture production traits in two commercially important fish, the striped bass and the hybrid striped bass. Linnea plans to use similar, “omics” -based approaches throughout her career to address issues of production yield, environmental sustainability, and overall food security for local and global agriculture systems and their communities. Linnea’s professional goals stem from a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors that distinctly took shape during her time as an undergraduate student learning about the potential for scientific research to help address challenges in natural resource management and food insecurity at the University of Maryland, College Park.

April Dobbs | Doctorate | Crop Science | NC State University

April is pursuing her Ph.D. in Crop Science at North Carolina State University, in the Weed Ecology and Biology Lab. Her research is focused on using 3-D imaging techniques to model and predict the effects of cover crops on weed suppression. The goal of this research is to provide growers with predictive tools for predicting late-season weed escapes based on variable cover crop performance in the field. This will enable growers to identify and spot-treat weedy patches earlier and with greater efficiency, which will greatly reduce labor and herbicide use. In addition to this research, April is also doing projects related to weediness risk potential and ecological factors in weed germination.

Before coming to NC State, April completed her Bachelor’s degree in Genetics and Plant Biology at U.C. Berkeley, and a Master’s degree in Organismal and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard, where she studied seed morphology and dispersal in wild relatives of Arabidopsis thaliana. She also spent several years working on organic farms around the world, which is where she discovered her love for small-scale agriculture and the CSA model. April is excited to be joining the newest CEFS cohort and learning more about food production systems in North Carolina. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and playing the cello.

Carly Graves | Masters | Biological and Agricultural Engineering | NC State University

Carly is a Master’s student studying Biological and Agricultural Engineering with a passion for providing sustainable food sources for a growing population. Growing up in Wake Forest, NC, her exposure to agriculture was limited, but exposure at NC State to the intricacies of our food production systems sparked her interest.

Her current research is in the area of agricultural waste management, specifically trying to engineer sustainable alternatives to reduce harmful emissions from animal production. After graduating with her M.S., Carly plans to join the workforce in a position that will allow her to interact with growers and producers while helping problem solve solutions in agricultural production while keeping air, water, and soil quality a priority.

During the CEFS program, she looks forward to learning from peers and experts in this field while applying and sharing that knowledge through research and extension opportunities.

Mariella Carbajal Carrasco | Doctorate | Biological and Agricultural Engineering | NC State University

Mariella Carbajal is a Ph.D. student in the Biosystems Analytics Lab led by Dr. Natalie Nelson. She is also part of the Sweetpotato Analytics for Produce Provenance and Scanning project (Sweet-APPS), which strives to develop new technologies to minimize waste and maximize value of North Carolina sweet potatoes. Her dissertation research focuses on the characterization and development of a growth simulation model for main North Carolina sweetpotato varieties, which currently do not exist. In addition, she is building predictive models using data analytics, machine learning and remote sensing to identify the main drivers of sweetpotato yield quality (in terms of shape characteristics) and quantity. As an agricultural scientist, she aims to create foundational knowledge and decision-support tools that help growers to implement improved crop management practices for optimizing productivity and sustainability for the benefit of local food systems and the environment.

Prior to joining NC State, Mariella worked for several years as a researcher specialized in geospatial environmental and crop modeling, as well as in satellite and UAV based remote sensing applications. She was also a USDA Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellow at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she researched soil organic carbon stocks using spectroscopy techniques.

2021 Cohort – NC State

Sandy Ramsey Ethridge | Doctorate | Crop Science | NC State University

Christopher Jorelle Gillespie | Doctorate | Plant Pathology | NC State University

Rebecca Christine Shisler | Doctorate | Sociology and Anthropology | NC State University

Rebecca Shisler (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in the sociology department at North Carolina State University. Her dissertation research will focus on people who forage wild foods and plant materials (also referred to as Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs)) and how one’s relationship to the land, local food systems, and policy shapes these practices. Her work engages with the socio-cultural aspects of agrifood systems and the natural environment.

At NC State, Rebecca has also conducted research for CEFS and the sociology department on farm to early care and education programs, farmers’ experiences with growing organic crops, student food and housing insecurity, food insecurity in North Carolina, and most recently, food insecurity and state policy during the Covid-19 pandemic as part of the FIRST research study. Rebecca earned her M.A. in Sociology at Colorado State University in 2016, where she studied the experiences of women farmers in Northern Colorado, and later worked for the local farmers’ market.

In the coming years, she is excited to connect with the other fellows and engage with people who are passionate about creating a better, more sustainable food system through research and extension.

Linnea Kathryn Andersen | Doctorate | Applied Ecology | NC State University

Melissa Pulkoski | Masters| Entomology | NC State University

Melissa has spent most of her life in North Carolina. She previously worked in the agriculture solutions industry working on developing natural or biological pest management strategies. She is currently working on her MS in Entomology with her research focusing on plant-insect interactions and IPM development for industrial hemp. Once she completes her Masters she is planning to continue on to her PhD.

2020 Cohort – NC State

Sara Kidd | Master’s Student | Agricultural and Extension Education | NC State University

Sara is finishing up her Master’s degree in Agricultural and Extension Education at NC State and hopes to pursue a PhD in Sustainable Agriculture or Agroecology. Before NC State, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from The University of North Carolina at Wilmington and also has an Associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Lenoir Community College. Her research is currently focused on investigating the need for apprenticeship programs for military veterans interested in agriculture and farming careers in NC. When she’s not studying you can find her working on her small farm in Nash County where she raises livestock including pastured poultry and pigs as well as Katahdin hair sheep.

Stephanie Sosinski | Master’s Student | Crop and Soil Sciences | NC State University

Stephanie is pursuing her MS degree in Crop Science while working as the research technician for the Forage and Grassland Program. Her research project focuses on nitrogen management in a crabgrass hay-production system, evaluating the effects of nitrogen application rate and source (synthetic nitrogen fertilizer and poultry litter) on forage productivity, nutritive value, and weed competition. The overall objectives of this research project are to: 1) evaluate plant and soil responses to nitrogen fertilizer rate and source in a crabgrass hay-production system and 2) assess the effects of nitrogen fertilization on weed competition for crabgrass during the establishment phase. This information will be critical towards providing livestock producers and Extension Agents with general nutrient management guidelines for crabgrass hay production that are best suited for North Carolina growing conditions.

Emilia Cordero Oceguera | Ph.D. Student | Sociology and Anthropology | NC State University

Migrant farmworker women from Mexico play a crucial role in North Carolina’s food system. They contribute through their agricultural work and knowledge, as well as their food practices —when they shop for food, cook, and garden. Emilia’s dissertation research employs a participatory community-based methodology and brings together her interest in agroecology and the food practices of immigrant communities. She earned her Master’s in Latin American Studies at UC Berkeley by examining the agroecological knowledge of indigenous peasant communities in central Ecuador. Emilia is certified in Ecological Horticulture by the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Systems (CASFS) at UC Santa Cruz and has been a farming apprentice in Mexico and Bolivia. At NC State, Emilia is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Student Association (SAGSA) and instructor of the Food and Society course in the Sociology Department. She also volunteers at farmworker support organizations in rural North Carolina. With her research, Emilia seeks to provide evidence for the need of a sustainable and socially just food system.

Lais Bastos Martins | Ph.D. Student | Crop and Soil Sciences | NC State University

Lais is a Ph.D. student at North Carolina State University and her research focuses on breeding winter cover crops and understanding cover crop seed marketing. She is passionate about collaborative work and bringing people from different backgrounds towards a common goal. In her research, she works in the Cover Crop Breeding Network (www.covercropbreeding.com) as the winter pea lead and is investigating how different winter pea lines (potential new cultivars) perform across the U.S. and which areas are similar enough that the same cultivar could be used. She is also researching the genetic basis of winter pea resistance to Ascochyta blight, a disease that affects peas everywhere they are grown, but especially in NC. One of the things she likes the most in her Ph.D. is having collaborators across multiple states and knowing that her research will improve cover crop options for farmers. Before she started her Ph.D. Lais completed her M.S. at NC State researching multiple disease resistance in corn.

Amanda Lay | Master’s Student | Horticultural Science | NC State University

Amanda Lay is a North Carolina native and is passionate about the production systems that we use to grow fresh produce. Her research focuses on pre-plant fertilizer in strawberry production. Pre-plant fertilizer is applied before strawberries are planted and supports their growth through the winter. Her research investigates different rates of standard fertilizer and low nitrogen organic fertilizer. The project tracks pre-plant nitrogen movement in the soil, yield, and studies berry quality after harvest. Amanda’s career goal is to continue research in production systems, making them more efficient for farmers and safer for the environment.

2019 Cohort – NC State

Hannah Levenson | Ph.D. Candidate | Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. David Tarpy

Pollinators are facing pressures from a wide range of factors – such as habitat loss, increased monoculture, and pathogens – which can lead to severe population declines. To combat this, providing pollinators with planted habitat has become an increasingly popular conservation method; however, there are still many knowledge gaps on the impact of this conservation method. Hannah’s research evaluates these impacts by surveying native bee populations at planted habitat across the state over time, which will result in the most detailed survey of native bees in NC to date. Additionally, Hannah is evaluating pollinator health at the habitats as well as the effect the presence of this habitat has on nearby crop pollination and the resulting yield. Results from this research will fill important knowledge gaps and aid in making future conservation decisions.

Timothy Clark | Ph.D. Candidate | Department of Sociology and Anthropology| NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Stefano B. Longo

Timothy is a PhD candidate in Sociology at North Carolina State University. His dissertation research examines the disparate effects of economic development on labor and ecology in aquatic food systems and communities. His work connects supply chain management to other issues of social justice, such as food security and community economic well-being. At NC State, Timothy also teaches several courses in the sociology department and volunteers his time with the Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Student Association (SAGSA). In addition to the university, Timothy has worked and volunteered with urban and semi-urban organic farms for several years, which allowed him to cultivate passions for gardening and sustainable food production. In the coming years, he hopes to learn more about local seafood supply chains and the potential for increasing ties across them so as to encourage sustainable food system growth. Timothy also earned his Master’s in Sustainability Studies at Texas State University, where he studied how city governments implement policies related to sustainability, social equity, and food security.

2018 Cohort – N.C. A&T

Cindy N. Flowers | College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences | NC A&T

Cindy N. Flowers is a lifelong North Carolina resident with a passion for the growing NC’s local food system, food equity and helping people eat well. She has worked in the local and regional grocery food business for over a decade as well as on small farms and organizations promoting sustainable farming. Cindy is an advocate for small producers and began her degree because of her love for promoting participants in her community’s Small Business Center. Cindy holds a certificate in Sustainable Livestock Management from Central Carolina Community College. Cindy’s current research at NC A&T is retail price seasonality among common food items to find cost-saving trends for consumers on a budget. She enjoys raising heritage ducks and geese and is a proud parent to her toddler, Everette.

Janet Osawere | MS Student | Agribusiness and Food Industry Management | NC A&T

My interest focuses on Agricultural Economics, Finance & Marketing, Farm Management, Natural Resource and Environmental Economics. I am currently working on farm financial analysis for small-scale farmers. My research topic is titled “Farm financial analysis for small-scale, organic mixed vegetable operations.” This focuses on preparing farm financial statements and guiding small-scale, organic mixed vegetable farmers to better understand the importance of having farm financial statements for their farm operations. In 2015, I graduated with a first class in Agricultural Economics, Bowen University, Nigeria. At Bowen University, my research focused on the effect of price fluctuation on the retail marketing of tomatoes. I analyzed the behavior of prices over a period of 5 years with a focus on identifying the causes of tomato price fluctuation, the behavior of prices and how it affects the retail marketers.

Yaqeen Salatneh | Ph.D. Student | Computational Science and Engineering | NC A&T

My name is Yaqeen Salatneh and I’m originally from Palestine. When I finished high school, I chose to study computer engineering at An-Najah National University in Palestine. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering. Then I moved to Greensboro, North Carolina and finished my Master’s degree in Computational Science and Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University in December 2017. Currently, I am a Ph.D. student in Computational Science and Engineering. My research study focuses on identifing weeds from crops using image processing analysis for organic small farms. During my time at North Carolina A&T State University, I took many courses that have given me the skill set to be successful in this field. Being a Computer Engineer major, I found a passion for Digital Image Processing Analysis.

2018 Cohort – NC State University

Jordan Cox-O’Neill | Ph.D. Student | Animal Science | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Carrie Pickworth

Jordan’s research pertains to grazing stocker cattle on winter cover crops following corn grain harvest to provide economic and environmental benefits for crop farmers. This systems approach is targeted to best utilize available resources while maintaining overall sustainability. Animal performance, soil health, corn grain yield, and cover crop forage production will be monitored during the grazing and crop production process and an economic analysis will be performed. She hopes this project validates the importance and beneficial gain of diversifying farms through crop-livestock integration. Her diverse disciplinary project attempts to analyze the whole system in an effort to provide valuable information to farmers and ranchers as they make important operation decisions.

Jinlong Han | Ph.D. Student | Plant Pathology | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Dorith Rotenberg

Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) is transmitted by minute insects called thrips. Jinlong’s research is focused on the interaction between TSWV and western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), which is one of the most widely distributed and efficient transmitters of TSWV worldwide and locally in North Carolina. The initial infection of thrips gut tissue by TSWV is prerequisite for successful virus transmission to plants. Jinlong will investigate the biological response of gut tissue before and after virus infection at gene level and to identify which molecules within thrips gut tissue will interact with viruses for initiating the infection process. The ultimate goal of this research is to integrate the latest findings in virus-insect interaction with all other practical controls for developing and optimizing the alternative, sustainable strategies.

Tim Kloppe | Ph.D. Student | Plant Pathology | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Christina Cowger

Diversion from GAP guidelines caused a loss in fungicide efficacy and a breakdown of resistance in wheat production systems against the common fungal, powdery mildew disease in North Carolina and across the world. A very recent breakdown of a highly effective and durable resistance mechanism has led Tim to characterize the molecular-genetic relationship of wheat and the causal agent of the disease, Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici (Bgt). He expends his research on the detection of the genes involved in this relationship by (1) collecting strains from Bgt-populations worldwide, (2) quantifying the potential of those strains to break plant resistance in machine-aided infection assays, (3) analyzing the DNA of those strains and (4) comparing those genetic signatures with the phenomenon of broken resistance.

Eliot Lee | MBA Candidate | Jenkins Graduate School of Management | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Dunning

CEFS Compass Group USA Graduate Fellow

Eliot’s studies are focused on understanding the current state of local, sustainable food value chains in the region to provide recommendations and possible solutions to developing more equitable and efficient processes. He will be supporting Compass Group’s efforts to drive compliance in product specification and sustainability initiatives. Prior to graduate school, he was an intern on the Small Farm Unit at CEFS’ Field Research, Education, and Outreach Facility at Cherry Research Farm in Goldsboro.

Joseph Milone | Ph.D. Student | Entomology | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. David R. Tarpy

Honey bee colonies are challenged by a variety of stressors simultaneously, including chemical exposure from multiple pesticides. Joe’s work takes a top-down approach to pollinator toxicology and utilizes pesticide residue data from commercial honey bee colonies to test field-relevant mixtures of chemicals and their effects on colony health. His current project seeks to better understand the impact of pesticides on queen reproductive health and the potential for interactions between pathogens and pesticides. Testing pesticide mixtures and their interactions with alternative stressors allows for a higher degree of realism and helps build on existing research focusing on single pesticides and stressors.

Matthew Smith | MS Student | Crop and Soil Sciences | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. James B. Holland

Matthew’s research focuses on southeastern-adapted heirloom food corn varieties. He is selecting within individual heirloom populations to maintain the food quality and original genetic makeup of these varieties while improving agronomic traits for the modern grower. Matthew’s work is directed towards providing new options for small growers to serve their local communities with the high quality heirloom products that local chefs and consumers want without the profitability concerns of unimproved heirlooms.

Andrew Smolski | Ph.D. Student | Sociology | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Stefano B. Longo

Andrew’s research investigates the impact of social structure on the development of sustainable agri-food systems. This involves examining how access to resources, property rights, and decision-making affects the ability of participants in the local food movement to enact their goals. With this research, Andrew seeks to increase the urban capacity for socially just and sustainable agricultural production. In ongoing research, he and co-authors use historical and statistical data to analyze urban food distribution in Mexico City and New York City, publishing results that demonstrate the positive benefits of public infrastructure for more equitable outcomes.

2017 Cohort – NC State University

Nicholas Basinger | Ph.D. Student | Horticultural Science | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Katie M. Jennings

Nicholas has a research focus on novel weed detection methods in agronomic and vegetable crop systems. His research focuses on utilizing specific light wavelengths, reflected off different plants to remotely distinguish weeds from crop species. One of his projects is to determine which wavelengths of light can be utilized for discriminating between plant species. His other project focuses on the impact various weed densities have on yields and the reflected wavelengths of light of soybean and sweet potato. Ultimately, the goal of these projects is to determine a remote weed detection method with the end result of managing weeds only where they are present.

Nicholas graduated in 2018. Visit his LinkedIn page here.

Sam Ingram | Ph.D. Student | Animal Science | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Matt Poore

Sam’s research focuses on the renovation of toxic infected tall fescue pastures utilizing no-till smother (cover) crops. Soil health, agronomic performance and animal performance will be monitored during the renovation strategy and an economic analysis will be performed. Sam also has projects in finishing cattle in a pasture-based system and transitioning forested area to perennial forage pasture utilizing cover crops. All projects attempt to analyze the whole system in an effort to provide valuable information to the farmer about what takes place on their operation. Sam is involved in educational outreach, working with the Amazing Grazing program as well as the North Carolina Forage and Grassland Council and believes this outreach is an effective tool to assist farmers in adopting new practices.

Lisa K. Johnson | Ph.D. Candidate | Horticultural Science | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Nancy Creamer

Lisa’s research brings the excitement surrounding food waste research to the often overlooked production level of the supply chain. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on understanding common farming practices and market policies that increase vegetable losses in the field, determining how much edible produce is left unharvested, and finding ways to increase the recovery of unharvested crops. Lisa completed her M.S. at the University of Georgia, also in Horticulture, where her research focused on the molecular physiology of fruit crops. She is rapidly becoming a national expert in on-farm food waste.

Lisa graduated in 2018. Visit her LinkedIn page here.

Marisol Mata | Masters Student | Horticultural Science | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Danesha Seth Carley

In today’s home gardening market, a large number of flower species are included in “pollinator-friendly” seed mixes but little is known about their actual nutritional quality for bees. Marisol’s research project focuses on growing several species of these native flowers in a controlled environment so as to determine the protein content found within their granules of pollen. She is also interested in learning whether changes in environmental conditions, such as temperature, fertilizer and CO2 levels affect the overall quality of the pollen.

Marisol graduated in 2018. Visit her LinkedIn page here.

2016 Cohort – NC State University

Rachel Atwell | Ph.D. Candidate | Crop Science | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton

Rachel has research projects that focus on winter pea production in the Southeast and using cover crop mulches for weed suppression. Her first project focuses on screening winter pea genotypes for use as grain, forage and cover crops in the Southeast. Her other graduate student research focuses on using cover crop mulches for weed suppression in both organic and conventional cotton production. Rachel also completed her M.S. degree under the advisement of Chris Reberg-Horton where her research focused on cultural weed control tactics and fertility management in organic corn and canola production.

Rachel graduated in 2017. Visit her LinkedIn page here.

Angel Cruz | Ph.D. Candidate | Crop Science | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Michelle Schroeder-Moreno

Angel is researching agroecology and soil conservation in El Salvador and how it impacts food security for smallholder farmers in rural El Salvador. Angel recently received a Fulbright Fellowship and a US Borlaug Global Food Security Graduate Research Award to fund her research.

Angel graduated in 2017. Visit her LinkedIn page here.

Johanna Elsensohn | Ph.D. Student | Entomology | NC State University
Advisors: Dr. Hannah Burrack and Dr. Coby Schal

Johanna utilizes insights gained from basic biology research to help inform sustainable pest control strategies. She investigates how oviposition by female Drosophila suzukii, a globally invasive pest of small fruit crops, varies as a function of season, host quality, and pest density. These results will lead to better-informed, locally optimized pest management strategies for this pest. Another project, working with the Genetic Engineering and Society Center at NC State, compares socio-environmental risks among several insect genetic modification techniques and questions how different stakeholder groups evaluate those risks.

Fallon Fowler | Ph.D. Student | Entomology | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Wes Watson

Fallon researches whether certain dung beetle groups (dwellers, tunnelers, or rollers) affect nutrient cycling and greenhouse gas production differently. She specifically seeks to answer which, if any, dung beetle traits and species are most beneficial to livestock producers and the environment. Ultimately, she plans on using this research to contribute to alternative, sustainable strategies in livestock systems, specifically in cattle production systems.

David Suchoff | Ph.D. Candidate | Horticultural Science | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Chris Gunter

David’s research focuses on developing screening methods for abiotic stress tolerance and avoidance in tomato rootstocks. Specifically, David is looking at morphological traits in rootstock root systems that may help improve soil resource use and acquisition. The end goal of this research is to help farmers improve their resource use efficiency via the use of these more resilient rootstocks. David also completed his M.S. degree under Dr. Chris Gunter and Dr. Jonathan Schultheis investigating nitrogen use efficiency in grafted watermelon and tomatoes. Prior to graduate school David was an apprentice on the Small Farm Unit at CEFS’ Field Research and Outreach Facility at Cherry Farm in Goldsboro.

David graduated in 2018. Visit his LinkedIn page here.

Kaitlyn Sutton | MBA Candidate | Business Administration | Jenkins Graduate School of Management | NC State University
Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Dunning

CEFS Supply Chain Resource Cooperative Scholar

Kaitlyn’s research is focused on analyzing the food supply chain on North Carolina university campuses. As a member of the UFOODS (University Food Systems) project team, she is working to increase the understanding and transparency of how food systems work on university campuses so that small and mid-size farms can benefit from increased engagement with North Carolina campus communities. Kaitlyn’s focus has been on cultivating new market opportunities for farmers by creating supply chain links from farms to university campuses in North Carolina. Ultimately, she hopes that her research will contribute to increased access to local foods for North Carolina students and the development of greater economic opportunities for small farms.

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems is a partnership of North Carolina State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Former CEFS Graduate Student Fellows

2023 Cohort – NC State

2022 Cohort – NC State

2021 Cohort – NC State

2020 Cohort – NC State

2019 Cohort – NC State

2018 Cohort – N.C. A&T

2018 Cohort – NC State University

2017 Cohort – NC State University

Nicholas graduated in 2018. Visit his LinkedIn page here.

Lisa graduated in 2018. Visit her LinkedIn page here.

Marisol graduated in 2018. Visit her LinkedIn page here.

2016 Cohort – NC State University

Rachel graduated in 2017. Visit her LinkedIn page here.

Angel graduated in 2017. Visit her LinkedIn page here.

David graduated in 2018. Visit his LinkedIn page here.

Kaitlyn graduated in 2017. Visit her LinkedIn page here.