We are excited to welcome 16 summer interns to the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), including 12 students participating in the Agroecology Scholars Program in Research and Extension (ASPIRE) and 4 interns supporting Farm to Early Care and Education (Farm to ECE) initiatives across North Carolina.
This summer, these interns will engage in hands-on research, extension, and community-based learning experiences focused on sustainable agriculture, local food systems and agricultural education. From exploring diverse agroecosystems and advancing professional development through ASPIRE to promoting healthy eating, local food access and garden-based learning through Farm to ECE, this cohort represents the next generation of leaders committed to strengthening food systems.
The 2026 CEFS ASPIRE interns and their mentors/research areas are:
| Valeria Janelle Cancel | Mentor: Hannah Levenson |
|---|
| Amari Christopher | Mentor: Amanda Avila Cardoso |
| Wyatt Devine | Mentor: Hannah Dankbar |
| Krystin Nicole Gollihue | Mentor: Dara Bloom |
| Melissa Griswold | Mentor: Hannah Dankbar |
| Jane Handa | Mentor: Reid Longley |
| Calista Lee | Mentor: Mallory Choudoir |
| Jackson Locklear | Mentor: Debjani Sihi |
| Carmen McLaren | Mentor: Alex Woodley |
| Cara Elizabeth Shield | Mentor: Stephanie Kulesza |
| Jordan Watkins | Mentor: Hannah Levenson |
| Stella Zinaman | Mentor: Emmanuel Torres |
Find more information about the 2026 ASPIRE faculty mentors and research areas here. For more information about the ASPIRE internship, please visit the program website.
The 2026 CEFS Farm to ECE interns are:
| Jordan Forbis | County Assignment: Harnett County Partnership for Children | Team Leader: Ashleigh Goss and Lynda Turlington |
|---|
| Adina Jacobson | County Assignment: Mecklenburg NC Extension Office | Team Leaders: Demetria Cox-Thomas and Sam DeRosa |
| Malachi McMillian | County Assignment: Alamance County Center | Team Leader: Trish Nelson and Sara Roscoe |
| Kaitlyn Russell | County Assignment: Nash/Edgecombe | Team Leader: James Mercer and Mary Jane Lyonnois |
For more information about the Farm to ECE internship, please visit the program website.
