For next Wednesday’s (2/28) colloquium, the alumni theme continues via a virtual alumni panel! A diverse group of GPSA alumni will share where they are now and reflect on how the GPSA program contributed to their professional journey. Featured alumni will be Drake Larsen (M.S., Sustainable Agriculture, 2011), Rachel Perry (M.S., Horticulture & Sustainable Agriculture, 2023), Dr. Angie Carter (M.S., Rural Sociology, 2012, PhD, Sociology & Sustainable Agriculture, 2015), and Kevin Ellis (M.S., Sustainable Agriculture, 2021, M.C.R.P., Community and Regional Planning, 2021).

Webex link: https://iastate.webex.com/meet/celt0013curtiss 

Since our fantastic alumni are joining us virtually, we thought it best to open the virtual option up to the susag-community at large. Our current colloquium students will still be meeting in-person in Curtiss Hall, Rm 0013. 

Below are some brief biographies for our featured alumni:

Drake Larsen: With a M.Sc. degree in sustainable agriculture from Iowa State University and inspired by his time working with Practical Farmers of Iowa, Drake is passionate about deepening the conversation about agriculture and nature connection. Through photos, video, landscape visualization, and articles and editorials, he illustrates the realities of modern agriculture—and discusses the benefits of a diversified agriculture—as a wake up call towards positive change. His farming approach at Three Ridges Ecological Farm provides examples of creative opportunities for farms that are managed to maximize ecosystem services.

Angie Carter: Dr. Carter is an environmental sociologist and assistant professor of environmental and energy justice in the Department of Social Sciences at Michigan Technological University. She is the 7th generation of my family to have been born in Iowa, where she grew up in a rural area during the 1980s Farm Crisis. Witnessing the community impacts of national and international agricultural policy upon my hometown inspired my engagement in community and environmental questions through writing and activism, and eventually led me to rural and environmental sociology. Dr. Carter's research studies extraction, landscape transformation, agrifood-energy systems, and environmental challenges as questions of justice. Dr. Carter maintains on her website,"I am a feminist scholar committed to praxis, which means I view my scholarship and teaching as opportunities to dismantle hierarchy, create community, and engage in social change. In this work, I regularly partner with community groups, local and state agencies, and non-profits in addressing environmental challenges or problems. I’m interested in connecting with research collaborators, students, and community groups about research opportunities in both the Midwest Cornbelt and the Upper Peninsula."

Rachel Perry: After growing up on a family farm in Wisconsin, Rachel attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison to complete a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy. Afterwards, she worked as a research technician for the UW-Madison field corn breeding program for 2 years.  She went on to Iowa State University, completing a Master of Science in Horticulture and Sustainable Agriculture. Advised by Dr. Ajay Nair in the sustainable vegetable production lab, her thesis focused on developing resilient lettuce production systems in the state of Iowa. Upon graduating in 2023, she took a job as an Application Scientist in Customer Technical Services for Roquette America in the Bioindustry and Plant Care division. Roquette is a family-owned global leader in plant-based raw material ingredients for pharmaceuticals, food, and industry formulations. Her current role supports customer questions and includes managing internal and external research for Roquette products being used to formulate organic fertilizers, biostimulants, seed treatments and other agriculture products. 

Kevin Ellis: Kevin is a Conservation Specialist with Hennepin County, Minnesota. In this role he assists residents with soil and water conservation projects in urban, suburban, and rural areas. In addition, he assists watershed commissions with identifying and analyzing sources of water pollution in subwatersheds, and is working collaboratively with farmers, and local organizations with the development a of farmland protection program for the county. Outside of his work with Hennepin County, he serves on the Homegrown Minneapolis Food Policy Council. Holding this role since January 2022, he has helped to develop the Minneapolis Food Vision which is a comprehensive plan for a resilient, just, and equitable local food system. Prior to moving to Minnesota, he completed masters degrees in Sustainable Agriculture and Community and Regional Development from Iowa State University, graduating in 2021.

Following the alumni panel, there will be a coffee hour for further discussion.