Dr. Robin Currey, Director of the MS in Sustainable Food Systems program at Prescott College,
will facilitate this panel discussion.

Presenters:

Christine Gall
For over a decade, Christine has immersed herself in the world of agriculture and food-based learning, from farming in southern Vermont to cooking with elementary-aged youth in Maine. She has worked for a variety of educational farms throughout the Northeast, including Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, the Merck Forest and Farmland Center, and Shelburne Farms. Several years ago she transitioned to educating within a school setting, helping two school districts develop comprehensive Farm to School programs, first as a FoodCorps service member in Mid-Coast Maine, and currently as the Garden Education Coordinator for the Burlington School Food Project (BSFP) in Vermont. Christine divides her time between managing school gardens and teaching food-based classes for BSFP and working for KidsGardening, a nonprofit that provides grants and educational tools to youth garden programs across the country. She is also pursuing her Master’s degree in Sustainable Food Systems at Prescott College.

Laura Thompson
Laura believes that food food is a defining aspect of our lives, from our health, to the sustainability of the environment, our connection to the land, and is how we build community, place, and culture. She is passionate about fostering food systems change through education. Laura has worked across diverse issue areas to build partnerships and empower communities with the resources and tools they need to create change. Most recently, Laura built and managed a network of local government leaders, funders, and thought leaders in communities across the country to develop and execute plans to scale national service programs as a community development tool. Laura holds an MA in International Education and a BA in Political Science and English. Outside of work she enjoys going on adventures in the great outdoors, practicing yoga, and preparing delicious food.

Marie Dennan
Marie is originally from New York City, but has lived in Memphis long enough to call it home. Marie has Masters’ in Public and Nonprofit Administration and Anthropology from the University of Memphis, and a culinary certificate from the California Culinary Academy. She is most passionate about engaging youth through gardening, and networking with food system stakeholders in Memphis. Marie spends her free time backyard gardening, chicken keeping, volunteering at local farmers markets, and dancing with the local company Project: Motion Modern Dance Collective.

Josh McGuire
A native of Buffalo, NY, Josh holds a bachelors in Environmental Policy (SUNY Buffalo) and a Masters in Environmental Leadership from Naropa University.Josh is a certified Permaculture Designer and has a particular focus on creating systemic changes in our food systems, studying in Maui, Kenya, Oregon and Colorado. He has worked for numerous non-profits and with Americorps implementing sustainable community development with both youth and adults. He is also addicted to wildlife documentaries.