STORIES AFIELD
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute- East Troy, WisconsinTake a break and read some fascinating stories of Michael Fields interns, graduates, farmers in training, etc.. These are listed by program areas of Michael Fields.
Farm & Food
Sara Laimon
Environmental Charter High School
Green Ambassador Founder
Alumni, 2006 Garden Student Year
Africa is where my story begins as well as the stories of our ancestors. All human DNA can be traced back to a small village in the middle Africa according to preeminent anthropologist, Richard Leakey. And in this Cradle of Civilization is where I began my advocacy for sustainable living in order to honor our ancestors by keeping our Earth and its species alive.
Read more about Sara.
Amy Kremen
Freelance Sustainable Agriculture Writer and Researcher
Morning Star Farm
Alumna, 1999 Garden Student Education (New Farmer Foundation Yr.)
Alumna, 2000 Garden Student Intern
Amy Kremen is a multi-talented writer, flower and vegetable market gardener, researcher with a M.S. degree in soil science from the University of MD, College Park. Amy’s career is as rich and varied as the sustainable agriculture movement to which she is dedicated. She is currently living in Montreal with her family and working on contract with the Quebec government analyzing/comparing Québec’s organic standard to others worldwide.
Read more about Amy.
Mike Noltnerwyss
Primrose Community Farm
Alumni, 2002 Garden Student Education (New Farmer Foundation Yr)
Alumni, 2003 Garden Student Intern
Primrose Community Farm is in its fifth season of existence and things are better then ever. This season we will be packing 200 shares per week for our CSA and also sell to local restaurants in Madison and have a devoted Saturday farmer’s market clientele. We have very much mimicked the growing setup that was in place at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute the two seasons that I spent there (2002-3).
Read more about Mike.
Cherie Doetch
Beaver Creek Gardens
Alumni, Whole Farm Workshops
Cherie Doetch is celebrating her first year as a CSA market gardener. Cherie attended several sessions of the Michael Fields Whole Farm Workshops and now serves as a Farmer Faculty conducting Home Gardening classes. She also opened her Illinois-based Beaver Creek Gardens as a CSA for the first time this year and is teaching home gardening classes to community college and suburban communities.
Crop & Soil Research
Hugo Gonzales DupuyPlant Science Masters Degree Program, Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources
Alumni, 2008 Crop and Soil Research Assistant
Hugo Gonzales Dupuy arrived at Michael Fields in 2008 from Peru, as a steward of the MESA Core Training Program. A graduate of the National Agrarian University La Molina with an Agronomist degree Hugo aimed to learn about plant breeding from an organic point of view. Hugo has now returned to Peru and is planning to get a scholarship to attend Wageningen University and Research Center in Holland to learn organic crop breeding principles.
Read more about Hugo.
Public Policy
Gini KnightPartner Shares Coordinator, Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition
Alumni, 2009 Public Policy Internship Program
My connection to the outdoors and to farming began with my upbringing in a rural, agricultural town in South Carolina. In college, I combined my passions for art and nature with a fine arts degree in Scientific Illustration from the University of Georgia. As a graphic artist and illustrator, my work aimed to raise awareness of biological conservation. Read more about Gini.
Nikki CheckVineyard and Orchard Manager
Alumni, 2008 Public Policy Internship Program
Since the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Public Policy Internship, I returned to Arizona and settled into the more agricultural side of my home county. In September of last year I was offered a position as a vineyard and orchard manager. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me to delve into every aspect of my agricultural education, including my stint in policy.
Read more about Nikki.
Bill McKelvey
Extension Associate, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Missouri Extension
Alumni, 2006 Public Policy Internship Program
Since completing the Public Policy Internship with Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, I successfully finished a Master’s Degree in Rural Sociology at the University of Missouri and began working for University of Missouri Extension. I currently work as an Extension Associate, providing resources and support in the areas of community based agriculture and community development, with a pilot project called the Healthy Lifestyle Initiative.
Read more about Bill.
Bridget Holcomb
Associate Policy Directory, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
Alumni, 2006 Public Policy Internship Program
I could not have asked for a better way to begin a career in sustainable agriculture policy than this policy internship. As a recent college graduate I knew that I wanted to enter into this field, and knew enough about sustainable agriculture policy to know that there wasn’t a college class that could prepare me for such a career. The Public Policy Internship at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute gave me the experience and connections that catapulted me into a career in sustainable agriculture policy.
Read more about Bridget.
Katie Wied
Associate Policy Directory, Michael Fields Agricultural 
Institute
Alumni, 2008 Public Policy Internship Program
One month after I graduated and my internship ended, I was fortunate to be hired on full time as the Policy Organizer for Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. In my current position I strive to be the link between politicians and farmers on the ground. Not only do I assist sustainable farmers in having their voices heard in Washington, I also assist in giving farmers the tools they need to benefit from governmental programs and grant monies. Read more about Katie.
Matthew Mariola
PhD Candidate, Ohio State University
Professor, Environmental Entrepreneurship, College of Wooter
Alumni, 2005 Public Policy Internship Program
I would say that my public policy internship with Michael Fields Agricultural Institute and Margaret Krome, Director, Public Policy opened my eyes to the policy world in general, one result of which has been this choice to study a topic closely tied to environmental policy. It will also be evident as I teach a course on the Sociology of Agriculture this fall and another on Environmental Entrepreneurship. My love for market gardening also continues as Debora and I sell small quantities of produce at the Wooster Farmers Market. We hope to remain in this home for the rest of our lives, but who knows what the future will bring? At least with the College of Wooster and the agricultural research arm of Ohio State both here in Wooster, my chances are decent. Read more about Matthew.
Tori Jennings
Herdsperson, Northwood Farm
Alumni, 2008 Public Policy Internship
When I became a Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Public Policy Intern in January 2008, my goal was to discover how I might combine my academic background and research interests with my passion for farming and food politics. The Michael Fields internship provided me with numerous opportunities to meet farmers, activists, and policy-makers from around the nation. The impact of those encounters illuminated my yearning to become a grass-based dairy farmer. Read more about Tori.
Steph Larson
Rural Policy Organizer
Alumni, 2004 Public Policy Internship Program
After her internship with Margaret Krome, Steph Larsen worked for the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters in Madison, WI during the 2004 election cycle. In 2005 Steph moved to Washington, D.C. to work first as the policy organizer and later as the policy director for the Community Food Security Coalition on issues related to local food, sustainable agriculture, nutrition and anti-hunger. In her duties with CFSC, Steph spent a significant amount of time advocating for programs in the 2008 Farm Bill. Read more about Steph.
