Originally from Maryland, Eric earned a degree in political science and a minor in environmental studies from St. Mary’s College of Maryland where he was a Nitze Scholar. He was active in the Student Environmental Action Coalition, Maryland Votes, the Student Government Association, wrote his honors senior thesis on U.S. food aid policy, and worked at a local organic farm. He has also interned at Food & Water Watch, worked for the Ben Cardin for U.S. Senate Campaign, traveled to India, and completed a Semester at Sea.
Field placement: Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Eric created promotional materials for the many programs and special projects of the Community Food Security Center, including home gardening education, the food bank farm, community food consignment, farmers markets, family advocacy, and child nutrition programs. He also authored a booklet about Southern Arizona's local food system.
Policy placement: National Family Farm Coalition
Washington, D.C.
Eric conducted a survey of farmers throughout the country to identify barriers to local food marketing in order to inform NFFC’s policy work promoting local food economies. He also assisted with farm to school policy research in partnership with the Community Food Security Coalition, and planned a trip for Hill staffers to visit the farm to school program in Baltimore.