Rachel Levi, Program Director at EarthDance

Rachel

Engaging more St. Louisans in the Good Food Movement locally and beyond
When Rachel Levi returned home to St. Louis after 4 years living in Chicago, it was with a passion to ignite more food and farming education in her native Ferguson. Upon hearing of EarthDance’s beginnings in 2008, Levi had followed the organization from a distance until an opportunity arose to work as its first Farm & Community Education Coordinator. Serving as an Americorps VISTA for 3 years in this role, she has been a key player in building the organization’s capacity, such as organizing over 100 organic farming and gardening classes, recruiting farm apprentices, summer campers, and Community Supported Agriculture members, and hosting school groups on the farm for tours and lessons.

Moving into the role of Program Director is a natural fit for Levi, who delights in hands-on education, particularly around the subject areas of healthy food and ecological design. Rachel Levi is also a leader in the good food and sustainability movements by “walking the talk”; from transforming the landscape of her Gravois Park home into a permaculture-in-practice space to regularly cooking, canning and preserving the farm’s bounty for friends and family. Her commitment to community empowerment has also led her to participate in the Neighborhood Leadership Academy, where she is learning the skills and building the networks necessary to create livable communities.

EarthDance is excited to announce that upon the conclusion of her third year serving the organization as an Americorps VISTA this November, Rachel will be hired as the organization’s first Program Director, continuing to develop, execute, and evaluate high caliber sustainable farming and gardening education programs from seed to table.