The Soil & Water Conservation District has a unique position as an agency capable of educating both children and adults about our natural environment, urban agriculture, and best practices for conservation. I want to expand the district’s communications and bring our programs into partnership with schools and other community stakeholders. I want to help us expand programs like soil testing for lead, which provides a tangible resource to inform Jefferson County residents before they do something like plant a garden.

There are few things I like more than eating a freshly grown vegetable that I grow in my backyard; whether you are a gardener or a farmer, Jefferson County produces large amounts of food every year. For too long the agricultural needs of our county have been unmet, and too many of our people are cut off from access to fresh food and left without the resources to change that. We can take on food deserts by expanding urban agriculture and community garden programs, and advocate for more serious solutions like fighting for more grocery stores in underserved communities in Jefferson County.