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Yolanda G

- Research Program Mentor

MPA at Syracuse University

Expertise

Food systems, Urban Agriculture, Environmental Studies

Bio

After woofing and working on small farms throughout the Northeast, I obtained a BA in Spanish and Environmental Studies from SUNY Geneseo and a joint MPA/MS degree from Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Public Administration and Environmental Science. My expertise is in food systems policy and planning, as well as urban agriculture extension education. I recently completed a Study on Urban Agriculture in New York State for the Governor of New York with feedback from urban agriculture stakeholders, including growers, non profit staff and policymakers. Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of working with urban growers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, providing technical assistance and educational programming in a variety of areas, including fruit tree care, mushroom cultivation and food safety. In my time off, I love to visit extended family and spend time on regenerative, agroecological farms in Puerto Rico. I am very passionate about this topic and would love to mentor others who are interested in a career in agriculture.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Writing a literature review

In this project, you will write a literature review on a topic of your choice. Topics could be anything related to food systems or food policy, from “the history of community gardens” to “how will we feed an ever expanding population?”. This process will teach you how to find, access, and critically analyze existing literature to identify gaps and overarching themes. You will gain skills in writing and editing, as well as an in-depth knowledge of your chosen research topic.

Languages I know

Spanish, native

Teaching experience

I have tutored all throughout High School, taught English abroad in Spain and presented workshops, seminars and lectures throughout my past five years working for Cornell University.

Credentials

Work experience

Cornell University (2017 - Current)
Urban Agriculture Specialist

Education

State University of New York College at Geneseo
BA Bachelor of Arts (2009)
Spanish, English, and Environmental Studies
Syracuse University
MPA Master of Public Administration (2015)
Public Administration

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