My research is a collaborative project between Ohio State University’s Department of Horticulture and Crop Science and Purdue University’s Department of Entomology. I am working with 10 urban farms across Ohio to evaluate the effects of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) compost on crop performance, soil health, and the presence of both beneficial and pathogenic microbes in soil and compost. By partnering with urban farmers, this project aims to reduce reliance on imported animal feed and soil amendments through the use of BSF-derived compost. In doing so, growers can increase their self-sufficiency while contributing to a hyper-local circular economy within urban food systems.
Why OSU?
After earning my bachelor’s degree at OSU, I began working with community gardens and Columbus’ refugee population to support their resettlement after years of displacement. That experience deepened my understanding of how environmental challenges directly affect food security, both locally and globally. I came to see that access to healthy, sustainable food is not just a matter of agriculture; it’s a matter of justice. Being at a land-grant institution like OSU gives me the opportunity to collaborate with community members and learn from researchers advancing real solutions in sustainable agriculture, which is why I chose the Horticulture and Crop Science department—where I can be hands-on, working directly with the land and the people it supports, to strengthen food systems through sustainable intensification.
