People and Partners
Staff
Sara Snyder, Agroecology Education Farm Manager
Sara began working at the farm as the Farm Manager in the spring of 2023. They grew up in New Bern, NC and graduated from Duke, where they worked on the Duke Campus Farm throughout my undergrad. Since graduating, they have worked on a variety of organic farms in NC. They find growing food to be empowering and love sharing that experience with others. When they're not at the farm, you can find Sara swimming, baking, and visiting their local library. Come by the Agroecology Education Farm and say hi!
Ann Bybee-Finley, Agroecology Program Director
Dr. Bybee-Finley leads the Agroecology Program, directs the Agroecology Education Farm at North Carolina State University, and teaches CS 230 and CS 430. Before joining NC State, Dr. Bybee-Finley worked as a Research Agroecologist for the Agricultural Research Service at the United States Department of Agriculture.
Brian Gallagher, SASU Technician
Brian is a technician at the Bill Fike Agronomy Lab and the Agroecology Field Lab. A Granville County native, he grew up helping his grandparents raise cattle and tend vegetable and flower gardens, while also working on his grandfather’s land surveying crew. After early experience at a local strawberry farm and a decade in the restaurant industry, he returned to North Carolina to work at an organic farm in Rougemont, where he developed a strong interest in organic agriculture, tractor operation, and the virtues of sun protection. On summer weekends, you might find him selling produce roadside near Oxford, exploring antique shops, or tracking down hole-in-the-wall restaurants on a road trip.
Lauren Rouse, Agroecology Education Farm Apprentice
Lauren is the new Apprentice at the farm, working with Sara and the student crew. She grew up in Wheaton, IL and graduated from Elon University. Sustainable farming became her life's work while at university, and has since worked in Cedar Grove on sustainable produce farms and she spent time volunteer farming in France. In her free time, Lauren loves to rock climb, swim in the Eno, and craft with her friends.
Partners
Student Organizations Involved
- Agroecology Club
- Contact: agroecology@ncsu.edu
- Eco-Design Outreach Club
- Beekeeping Club
- Contact: beekeepersncsu@gmail.com
- National Parks Club
- Contact: nationalparksclub@ncsu.edu
- SOL Garden
- Contact: solgarden-org@ncsu.edu
- Eco Village
- NC State SAFE (Student Association of Fire Ecology)
We welcome any collaboration to help make our space welcoming and educational. If you are interested in partnering with us, please email Sara Snyder at sasnyde4@ncsu.edu!
Advisory Board
| Ann Bybee-Finley, Director of AEF, CSS Faculty, Agroecology Lab | Matt Morrison, AS, Research Operations Manager at the E. Carroll Joyner Beef Educational Unit |
| Sara Snyder, Farm Manager of AEF | Liz Driscoll, HS, CSS, K-12/4H education |
| Brian Gallagher, AEF and Fike Agronomy Field Lab Technician | Carla Davis, Director of the University Sustainability Office |
| Lauren Rouse, AEF Apprentice | Angel Cruz, CEFS Academic and Extension Initiatives Manager |
| Amy Johnson, Director of the Fike Crop Garden, CSS Faculty, Ag Institute Coordinator of General Agriculture and Field Crop Technology | Keith Smith, Director of NC State Dining, Board Operations and Sustainability |
| David Suchoff, CSS Faculty, Alternative Crops Extension Specialist | Shawn Hoch, Senior Director of NC State Dining and Hospitality Services |
| Alex Woodley, CSS Faculty, Sustainable Soils Lab | Bridget Lassiter, Lake Wheeler Road Field Lab |