Position/philosophy statement
A Better Environment for Everyone
Current Occupation
CFO
My work experience will be key in this role as our local farms need advocates who know their struggles. Since 2010, I've co-led Organic Mechanics Soil, a regenerative organic potting soil company, and worked as a farm consultant. In that time, I've helped many small to mid sized farms build their businesses, from providing them with premium soil products to consulting on their business plans, finances and marketing strategies. I’ve also worked on storm water projects that require specific soil needs, so I feel I’m well-rounded for the task ahead. I’m a life-long environmentalist who’s looking forward to giving back.
Local farms face ever degrading soil conditions, tougher markets, and more extreme weather patterns. Providing them with the tools and knowledge to best succeed is essential, especially when we see our food system’s flaws.
I plan expand the reach of the existing successful programs to serve more farms and the communities they serve. Increasing funding for this will be vital and I aim to secure more capital for Soil & Water so that the work can be quickly increased.
The farmland preservation programs are paramount for maintaining the existing 200+ farms we have in Mecklenburg County. The Voluntary Agricultural District program, initiated last year, gives farmers more visibility, a voice in the rezoning process, and representation at the county level. This, along with grant programs that help farmers grow better (i.e. equipment, infrastructure, and soil quality), enables farms to thrive. Building food resiliency by strengthening our farming community is a win-win.
The Soil & Water Conservation District has done a great job in expanding its presence, resources, and influence, but I know there can be much more accomplished for providing food security and enhancing environmental protection. I’d like to see the rapid expansion of existing programs, especially those focused on local farm viability, water quality and quantity improvement, increasing permeable surfaces, and preparing for extreme weather events.
Position/philosophy statement
It is an honor, privilege and joy to provide natural resource conservation services that support diverse cultures and communities of Mecklenburg County.
Current Occupation
Chair Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District and Chair, NC Soil and Water Conservation Commission
Campaign Phone
7036232495
My career in complex sales honed a team oriented, goal setting, outcome-driven, metric minded mode of operation. I entered the world of soil and water conservation armed with that mindset. In 2018, my first term, I set a goal to give local farmers an official voice to county commissioners. In 2024-25, working with the County manager’s office, my Farmland Preservation Plan, and a related ordinance to establish an Agriculture Advisory Board (AAB) of local farmers was unanimously approved by the BOCC. I have increased our budget through grants, enabling us to increase accessibility of our programs to culturally diverse communities, while also serving the unique needs of local urban farms as directed by the AAB.
There are four myths I have observed in my tenure. These myths manifest in challenges that the natural resource conservation and protection community face daily: They are:
1) Sedimentation run off from lawns/streets/ buildings is #1 source of water pollution and impaired water quality.
2) The lack of understanding of the interconnectivity of soil, water and air is key to many environmental issues. Mother nature intended these to work together, but ordinances et al treat them as independent.
3)The myth that someone else, will handle food availability and food system issues
4) Money, tax revenue—will solve 1,2,3
Our Urban Cost Share Program (UCSP) are agreements between our District and Charlotte Mecklenburg and the City of Charlotte Storm Water Services Departments. Funded through storm water fees, these allow the District to serve private land owners with conservation solutions that the county/city are unable or unauthorized to support. We work closely with the county and city to coordinate educational and outreach events such as our annual tree seedling sale. We value this tight coordination with the city and county as the partnership allows us to intentionally support communities and make the best use of funding and resource. Recently, leveraged UCSP to assist a small urban farm in Charlotte. This was an historic first!
In addition to my work in Mecklenburg SWCD, I have been appointed to the Data Center Task force for the City of Charlotte as well as a similar committee with the National Association of Conservation Districts. In those roles, I advocate for conservation planning for water and energy useage, but also for environmental justice for those communities often overlooked. I am also an executive Board member for the Helping Hands Outreach Foundation, a NFP, founded by Charlotte Water leaders in the wake of COVID. As a Board member, I assisted in designing the pilot application process that funds relief payments to Charlotte Water Account holders experiencing challenged is paying water bills.
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