The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is honored to announce the appointment of Michelle Schroeder-Moreno as director of CEFS and W.K. Kellogg / Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation Endowed Distinguished Chair in Sustainable Community-Based Food Systems in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at North Carolina State University (NC State).
Schroeder-Moreno has been a faculty member at NC State in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and part of CEFS since 2004, directing the Agroecology Education Program and Farm and teaching agroecology courses. She has been the assistant director of Educational Programs for CEFS since 2010 and has served as interim director at NC State since Nancy Creamer’s retirement.
Over the course of her career, Schroeder-Moreno has taught more than 1,400 undergraduate students and mentored numerous students in research. She has published diverse peer-reviewed articles that span broad topics from research in active student-centered learning to sustainable strawberry production, soil health, and management of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi.
Schroeder-Moreno was one of the founding members of the national Sustainable Agriculture Education Association (SAEA) helping to elevate agroecology as a discipline. She was recently recognized for her innovation in agroecology education and teaching, receiving the 2019 United States Department of Agriculture APLU National Teaching Award. She also brings international teaching and research experience, working throughout Mexico and Central America, and as a Fulbright Scholar in Croatia.
“CEFS is a marquee center in CALS with significant impact in the state and country,” says Steven Lommel, CALS associate dean for Research. “We are thrilled that Dr. Schroeder-Moreno will be the next director and maintain the momentum of CEFS.”
“At the heart of all of CEFS’ successes in research, extension, and education programs are its diverse team of passionate staff and affiliated faculty. It’s an honor to work with them in this leadership role,” says Schroeder-Moreno.
CEFS is a partnership of NC State, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Chyi Lyi (Kathleen) Liang continues to serve as CEFS director, based at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Johnnie Howard continues to serve as superintendent of Cherry Research Farm, part of the Research Stations Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
NC State CALS selected Schroeder-Moreno after a nationwide search.
We are grateful for the efforts of the Search Committee, NC State administration, CEFS staff, faculty, advisory board members, and all community stakeholders that participated in the search process. Please join us in welcoming Schroeder-Moreno to this new role. She can be reached at msschroe@ncsu.edu.