August 2016 July 2017

Enrolling initially as a Shark Research Intern and then progressing to a Communications Technician, I spent nearly 1 year at the Cape Eleuthera Institute in The Bahamas. During my time there I learnt the importance of integrating into the local community and embracing different cultures. Whilst managing the companys website, blog and social media platforms, I enjoyed helping the summer school students with their communication projects and interviewing local people to assist with data collection about local fishing grounds. I also assisted with the creation of a community garden and the upkeep of tilapia fish and salad greens in the small aquaponics system.

January - April 2018

After deciding I wanted to learn more about subsistence living, I reached out to the owner of a newly inherited farm in Portugal through the company Workaway. I increased my understanding of a range of organic farming methods and learnt about grant applications, feasibility planning and the struggles of reviving abandoned farmland.

April - October 2018

I travelled to Ontario, Canada to work on a small dairy farm where I was responsible for twice-a-day milking and ensuring a hygienic milk bottling process. I learnt how to care for their small herd, log milk production and keep track of sales.

January 2019 August 2020

Over the winter I volunteered at Treiber Farms, a small family farm in New York, where I managed the business while the owner was away over the winter. After securing a work visa, I travelled back to New York and enrolled as a trainee farm manager. I helped to transition the farm into a no-till system and assisted with the plans for crop rotation throughout the year. I also coordinated the weekly donation of unsold products to a local food bank and organised farm tours for schools and summer camps.

December 2020 December 2021

I moved to Devon and took over the management of the vegetable enterprise at Haye Farm. Growing on an area of almost 3 acres with 4 commercial polytunnels, I implemented a no till system whilst also retrofitting the existing infrastructure, including the pack house and irrigation system. I interviewed, hired and managed a team of employees and volunteers and created a schedule to streamline the daily and weekly tasks. I enjoyed immersing myself in the community, reaching out to potential new customers and meeting other local farmers through events with the Land Workers Alliance. I maintained contact with existing customers and developed new contacts, keeping them updated with our produce availability through email and weekly phone calls. I also created personalised ordering protocols for all of our customers, using Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, and processed payments and monitored finances using Quickbooks accounting software.

December 2021 present

Just before Christmas I took on an all-rounder role at Sladesdown Farm where I assist with the day-to-day running of the farm and pack house. I am involved in all aspects of the pasture-raised poultry business, from egg collection to caring for the newly hatched chicks, then maintaining the older flocks in the field and assisting in the abattoir. I also coordinate the packing of weekly orders for various outlets, including local retailers and London-based restaurants. I am really enjoying seeing first-hand the full circle of life on the farm and learning how to ethically and sustainably raise meat birds on a relatively large scale.