Welcoming Our 2021-22 AmeriCorps Member, Avery Barber
Fall 2021 marks the fourth year Seven Valleys Health Coalition has partnered with the Rural Health Network of South Central NY to bring on an AmeriCorps member who is focused primarily on the local food system and the work of the Cortland Food Project, which is Cortland County’s food policy council. Avery Barber joined our team in October and will be with us for the next year.
Avery developed an interest in sustainability within food and agriculture during her high school years. “I recognized that there was a gap in the food system between the producer and consumer. I also realized that there were other people who had recognized that gap and were moving to fill it, and I wanted to be a part of that movement,” said Avery when asked what started her interest in food systems work.
Avery began her college career at Green Mountain College, her “dream school”, with a focus on sustainability and food studies. After completing two semesters Avery had to transfer when the college closed following bankruptcy. It wasn’t an easy experience but she moved to Pittsburgh, PA, ready for a fresh start at Chatham University and feeling excited about the opportunities the city would hold.
As an undergrad Avery interned at Laughing Earth Farm, where she focused on Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) both by living and working on the farm as well as interacting with CSA members. The internship inspired her senior capstone project which assessed the need for and feasibility of implementing a pop-up food pantry on Chatham’s campus. The result of the research was a workable business plan, left with a student group to implement in the future.
Avery graduated from Chatham University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sustainability and Food Studies in 2020. Since graduation, Avery has worked to examine her own place in the food system. She has found operating a small homestead with ducks, turkeys, broiler chickens, sheep, and a small garden to be an amazing learning experience and her goal for next year is to raise, grow, process, and preserve some of the food for her own wedding planned for 2023.
Avery shared that “growing up on a dairy farm here in Cortland County instilled a strong work ethic in me, and I understand that to make change, effort, time, and dedication are required. It is my hope that with some grit we can continue to move out of this pandemic and grow together as a community, with an emphasis on food and togetherness.”
A large part of Avery’s education and experience has focused on food justice and the importance of community in food. She is passionate about creating a culture around affordable, healthy, tasty local foods as well as breaking the stigma around food assistance – all values and goals which make her a perfect fit to work with SVHC and the Cortland Food Project. Although Avery will be a big help in a variety of our food systems work, her primary focus will be on growth and sustainability of Seven Valleys Food Rescue. We’re so lucky to have her.