We are excited to introduce you to Marina Ortega, who joined the staff of The Carrot Project and the Agricultural Viability Alliance in September as our Relationships & Sector Development Fellow. We are so pleased to have Marina and her extensive skills onboard. She is already hard at work fostering diversity, inclusiveness, and professional development in our sector as she supports farm and food businesses in New England.

 

Marina was born and raised in the almond orchards of California. Driven by her Spanish-speaking roots, she went to university in Spain and obtained a bachelor’s in Gastronomic Arts & Sciences. Since then, she has worked with universities, regulatory agencies, NGOs and rural development entities, food laboratories, and Michelin-starred restaurants. Across work in several countries, Marina focused on relationship-building, program management, food business viability, and producer education. Her skills include culturally relevant food product development, sustainable technology in value-added food production, safety standards, and how production practices impact foods’ sensory qualities and sales. Her passion for food and advocacy extends towards the entire supply-chain, and she is excited to contribute to resilient farm and food capacity.