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