What is your preferred first name (full name or nickname)?

Sami

Where did you grow up?

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Where did you attend undergrad and what was your major?

University of Minnesota, B.S. in Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems

How did you become interested in food systems?

When I first learned about food systems from a high school course, I was excited to finally have a term for what I wanted to do in my life. I am drawn to the social and environmental impacts of what we eat, and how food tells a story. Also, systems thinking is valuable to promote holistic and multifaceted solutions.

What does transforming the food system mean to you?

Transforming the food system starts with sustainable personal and economic investments towards the environment, agricultural education, and farmers. Eating is a humanizing and cross-cultural activity, yet it is easy to distance ourselves from the fundamentals of food. By choosing to be an active participant in the food system, such as engaging with a farmer-focused organization, growing your own food, or simply reading books and news articles, we can be better equipped to nourish ourselves and advocate for a fair food system.

What do you do in your free time?

I enjoy spending time outdoors, traveling, and visiting ice cream shops. I also love to be around pets and farm animals.

What University of Michigan program are you in?

SEAS

Awards

LDEI and The Wine Group Scholarship for Impactful Change
Les Dames d’Escoffier International Scholarship for Impactful Change
Les Dames d’Escoffier International Food Policy and Advocacy Legacy Award
Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education Student Scholarship
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences Inspire Ag Scholarship
North American Association for Environmental Education William B. Stapp Scholarship
SEAS Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Fellowship
SEAS Tamara Reeme Fellowship Award
The Environmental Fellows Program at the Yale School of the Environment