Rachael is a part of the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, serving as the Statewide Agritourism Coordinator.  In this role, she assists farmers in diversifying their revenue by participating in agritourism activities, conducts research on the impacts of agritourism, and fosters a statewide network of agritourism stakeholders.  

After receiving her Bachelor's degree in International Affairs from the University of Georgia and Master's degree in Global Environmental Policy from American University, she has devoted her career to strengthening vibrant and sustainable food systems. Over the past 14 years, Rachael has worked for non-profit organizations promoting urban farming and food security in Washington, DC, building a robust local food economy on the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and showcasing sustainable agroforestry techniques in southern Belize. In each of these settings, she has seen the power of agritourism to provide resiliency to farmers, inspire and educate the public, contribute to the economy, and connect the community.  She is always eager to connect with, learn from, and share ideas with California farmers and ranchers.