Michelle Nikfarjam is a PhD candidate in Food Systems at the University of Vermont (UVM) and is also pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Agroecology. Before coming to the UVM she received her MA in International Studies from the University of Oregon and her BS in Sustainable Food and Farming from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her motivation to advance viable and integrative solutions to pressing food systems challenges such as food access, agro-biodiversity conservation, and economic and social equity is directly grounded the years she spent as a farmer. She has since researched and worked in a variety of facets of the food system ranging from food justice, food security, food systems education, food policy, and sustainable agriculture at local, state, federal and global levels.

Her dissertation research examines drivers and barriers to adopting agroforestry among farmers belonging to marginalized identity categories. Her project employs a participatory action approach to build collaborative models that generate adoption pathways to support production, conservation, and biocultural objectives while also highlighting why equity must be a key consideration in the scaling up of agroforestry.

Advisor: Dr. Teresa Mares