African Diaspora Foodways Institute
of Vermont (ADFI-VT)
Team Bios
The African Diaspora Foodways Institute of Vermont (ADFI-VT) is a partnership between Clemmons Family Farm, Inc. and the University of Vermont College of Agriculture and Life Science's Agriculture Extension and Department of Food and Nutrition Sciences. Read our team's bios below!
Clemmons Family Farm Lead, Inc. Lead Partners
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Lydia Clemmons, PHD, MPH President and Executive Director Clemmons Family Farm, Inc. Dr. Clemmons is a medical anthropologist with a 35-year career leading national and community-level public health and development programs in the US and more than 20 African countries. She has more than 20 years of senior executive-level experience managing national and global program annual budgets of $20-$50 million dollars. She is internationally recognized for her innovative work integrating arts and culture into effective public health and social change programming. Dr. Clemmons began her international work as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Democratic Republic of Congo. She has worked for the US Agency for International Development, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and numerous US nonprofit organizations working in international development. She grew up on her family’s farm in Vermont and returned in 2013 to help her parents preserve the farm- one of just 0.4% of all farms in the US that is African-American owned- for future generations. As President of the Clemmons Family Farm, Inc., she provides leadership for the farm’s transition into a 501c3 nonprofit organization and oversees its programming. She is fluent in French and Lingala. Dr. Clemmons is the recipient of the 2021 Con Hogan Award from the Vermont Community Foundation, the 2021 Arthur Williams Award for Meritorious Service to the Arts from the Vermont Arts Council, and the 2022 NAACP-Rutland Branch Lifetime Achievement Award. Areas of Expertise
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Liesha McKinley-Barnett, AFDI Director Clemmons Family Farm, Inc. Ms. McKinley-Barnett is a TEDx speaker, food activist, HAES nutrition educator, grower and a chef with over 25 years of experience. Her diverse background and extensive knowledge in the culinary field have equipped her with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities when it comes to accessing nutritious and affordable food. She is committed to empowering underserved communities through food education and advocacy. Her approach goes beyond simply providing meals, she actively engages families and individuals, encouraging them to take charge of their own well-being and fostering a sense of ownership over their food choices. Her professional experience includes serving for six years as Farm Education Manager with the Edible Schoolyard Project, and as Lead Nutrition Educator with the Emergency Food Bank, in Stockton California. She ran her own professional chef business for several years and is a veteran of the US Navy. Areas of Expertise
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Elin Melchior, MA Administrative Officer Clemmons Family Farm, Inc. Elin Melchior has experience working at educational institutions and non-profits in Vermont, Ohio, Japan and Niger. Her background is in office management, international education, ESL/EFL, and bookkeeping. She teaches knitting at AALV and serves on the business team for the MAUSD school musicals. Areas of Expertise
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Catharine Noel, AA Director, Board of Directors, Clemmons Family Farm, Inc. Ms. Catharine Noel is a seasoned culinary professional with 28 years of experience in the culinary field. She is deeply committed to student development and learning, combining extensive classroom experience with a passion for sustainable, locally sourced food. Ms. Noel has developed and taught a comprehensive 12-week farm-to-table curriculum, providing hands-on instruction and evaluating student performance to ensure practical learning outcomes. Throughout her career, she has held significant roles, including teaching at Le Cordon Bleu, serving as the Lead Baker at the University of River Falls, WI, and as a Pastry Chef and Chef at Lucia’s Restaurant and Bakery in Minneapolis. Currently, she brings her expertise to the Swift House Inn in Middlebury, Vermont, where she produces high-quality pastries that reflect her dedication to the craft. Ms. Noel serves on Clemmons Family Farm's Board of Directors and as a senior adviser to the African Diaspora Foodways Institute of Vermont. Areas of Expertise
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University of Vermont College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Lead Partners
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Judith Anglin, PHD, RDN, LDN, FAND Associate Professor and Chair Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences College of Agriculture and Life Sciences University of Vermont Dr. Judith Anglin has extensive administrative leadership experience with a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Judith's current research includes investigating the relationship between nutritional status and APOL1 variants gene expression, and the effect of nutritional status on maternal outcomes. As an educator she likes to kindle a desire and passion for learning, using various methods to encourage students' participation and include practical applications from local, domestic and international perspectives. Areas of Expertise and/or Research ● Nutritional genomics ● Maternal outcomes and nutritional status ● Nutritional status ● Health disparities and nutrition security Education ● Ph.D., Nutritional Sciences, Howard University ● M.S., Nutritional Sciences, Howard University ● B.S., Nutritional Sciences, Howard University |
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Lisa Chase, PhD Extension Professor Director, Vermont Tourism Research Center Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources University of Vermont Dr. Lisa Chase is a Natural Resources Specialist with University of Vermont Extension, where she has focused on recreation and tourism enterprises since 2002. She became the Director of the Vermont Tourism Research Center in July of 2004. Prior to working in Vermont, Lisa conducted research and outreach in New York, Colorado, Costa Rica and Ecuador, among other places. Areas of Expertise
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Heather Darby, PhD Gund Fellow, Professor, UVM Extension Gund Institute for Environment University of Vermont Dr. Heather Darby is an Agronomic and Soils Specialist for the University of Vermont Extension. Being raised on a dairy farm in Northwest Vermont has allowed her to play an active role in all aspects of dairy farming and gain knowledge of the land; creating an awareness for the hard work and dedication required to operate a farm. These practical experiences, complemented by her education have focused her attention towards sustainable agriculture, and promotion of environmental stewardship. Heather is involved with research and outreach programs in the areas of fuel, forage, and grain production systems in New England. Areas of Expertise and/or Research
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The African Diaspora Foodways Institute of Vermont is funded in part through grants from the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Market's Working Lands Enterprise Initiative.
