Kim L. Niewolny

Kim Niewolny is an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education at Virginia Tech. She holds a research, teaching, and extension appointment that holistically reflects the land-grant mission. Together, Kim’s work centers on the role of power and equity in community education and development with scholarly interests in: ontological politics, cultural studies of education, action research; participatory and cultural community development; critical pedagogy; and the political praxis of community food work. Dr. Niewolny holds research training and experience in qualitative research methods with special interest in discourse analysis and narrative inquiry. Current funded initiatives emphasize Appalachian community food security; new farmer sustainability; and disability and technology in agriculture. Her most recent community-based research initiative is the “Stories of Community Food Work in Appalachia” project that uses a narrative inquiry approach to illustrate the lived experiences and praxis frameworks of activists, educators, and practitioners who are connected to the broader issues of social justice and food systems change in the Appalachian region. With the College of Engineering, she currently serves as Co-PI of two related National Science Foundation grant projects focused on the nexus of technology, sustainability, and human-centered design to promote farmworker accessibility and small farm viability. As a CALS initiative, Kim is also leading the newly formed Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation. Kim teaches graduate courses and provides teaching leadership in Virginia Tech’s undergraduate minor in Civic Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS). As part of the Virginia Cooperative Extension system, she serves as Director of the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition and Director of the Virginia AgrAbility Program.  

Scholarly Interests and Research:

• Action Research and Community-based Participatory Research
• Participatory and Cultural Community Development
• Critical Pedagogy for Social Justice
• Ontological Politics
• Praxis of Community Food Work
• Appalachian Community Food Security
• New Farmer Sustainability
• Farmworkers, Technology, and Disability

Recent Grant Projects (selected)

Perez, J., Niewolny, K., Hashley, J.,  (2018-2021).  USDA, NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, EET.  Gaining Results through Evaluation Work (GREW): Evaluation Support for Beginning Farmer and Rancher Programs.  $600,000.

Bendfeldt, E.,  Niewolny, K., Morgan, K., Latimer, J.,  Vallotton, A. (2018-2021).  USDA-Agricultural Marketing Services’ 2018 Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP).  Catalyzing Agricultural and Educational Resources to Move the Local Food Value Chain Needle in the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Piedmont Regions of Virginia. $497,255.

Srinivasan, D., (PI), Leonessa, A., & Niewoly, K. (2017-2022). National Science Foundation. Enhancing small and mid-level farm viability through a systems-based research network: Linking technology and sustainable development and practice. $498,924.

Leonessa, A. (PI), Asbeck, A., Niewolny, K., Srinivasan, D. (2017-2020). National Science Foundation. Affordable -Flexible Robotics to Aid Farmers with Mobility Limitations. $999,565

Niewolny, K., (PI), Morgan, K., Archibald, T., Crutchfield, W., Terry, K., Saacke, R., & Pickering, R. (2014-2017).  USDA, NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program (VBFRCP): A Participatory Beginning Farmer and Rancher Education and Training Initiative. $724,828.

Niewolny, K. (PI), Ohanehi, D., Perumpral, J., Robertson, T. (2014-2018). USDA, NIFA AgrAbility Program. AgrAbility Virginia. $718,806.

D’Adamo-Damery, N. (PI), Niewolny, K., Clark, S., & Ziegler, P. (2014-2015). Community Viability Endowed Fund of the Virginia Tech Foundation. Creating a Regional Food Systems Roadmap: Building a multi-state network and leveraging area resources. $22,000

Niewolny, K. (PI), Morgan, K., Isbell, C., Scott, K., Nartea, T., Kloetzli, C., Callan, P. (July 2014-June 2015). USDA Extension Risk Management Education, Southern Center. A Risk Management Initiative of the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program. $48,073

Raison, B. (PI), Lezberg, S., Niewolny K., Anderson, M., Clark, J., Edgar, C., Priog, R. (November 2014 - September 2015). USDA AFRI Conference Grant Program. Building Extension Capacity to Address Community Food Security through Food Systems. $50,000

Niewolny, K. (PI), Bendfeldt, E., Walker, M., Hodges, S. Seibel, M., Crutchfield, W., Westfall-Rudd, D.  Integrated Internal Competitive Grants Program. March 2013-June 30, 2014.  Growing the Next Generation: Coalition Model Assessment & Training Initiative of the Virginia Beginning Farmer Rancher Coalition Program. $45,000

Bendfeldt, E. (PI), Yancey, M., Galbraith J., Grisso, B., Niewolny, K., Mize, T., Ohlwiler, T., Hilleary, J., & Love, K.  2013-2016. Natural Resource Conservation Service, Soil Conservation Grant.  Healthy Farms from the Soil Up: Finding Common Ground.  Natural Resource Conservation Service, Soil Conservation Grant. $148,218

Zoellner, J. (PI), Hill, J., Carrington, A., Totten, T., Niewolny, K.  College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, Integrated Internal Competitive Grants Program.  March 2013-June 30, 2014. Planting Seeds for Change: Community Garden Initiative of the Dan River Partnership for a Healthy Community. $45,000

Tanaka, K. (PI), Niewolny, K. Velandia, M., Hodges, S. & Jacobson, K.  USDA Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).  2013-2015. Mapping Sustainable Farm Systems: An Integrated Focus on Upper South New Producers as Catalysts of Good Stewardship, $270,000

Clark S. (PI), Niewolny K, Hodges S., Brown, C., Schroder-Moreno, M.  NIFA-AFRI Global Food Security.  2011-2016. Enhancing Food Security by Cultivating Resilient Food Systems and Communities: Place-based Foodshed Analysis from Research to Community Practice, $2,436,480

Niewolny, K. (PI), Benson, M.  USDA Specialty Crop Competitive Grant. 2010-2013. Increasing the Competitiveness of  Virginia Specialty Crop and Disadvantaged Farmers through a Statewide Situational Assessment of the Virginia Farm-to-School Program, $29,500

Niewolny, K. (PI), Moore, D., Rudd, R., Hodges, S.  USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. 2010-2013. VA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Project, $743,872

ALCE/HNFE 6234: Theory & Practice of Community-based Participatory Research (even spring semesters)
ALCE 6014: Theoretical Foundations of Nonformal Learning (even fall semesters)
ALCE 5614:  Politics and Practice of Food Security and Social Justice (odd spring semesters)
ACLE 4304/5304G:  Community Education and Development (odd fall semesters)
ALS 5204G Advanced Concepts in Community Food Systems (spring)
ALS 2204:  Introduction to Civic Agriculture (fall)

With a focus on service learning, I provides teaching leadership in Virginia Tech’s undergraduate minor, Civic Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS).  Reflecting a growing trend in higher education, the CAFS minor embodies a commitment to developing and strengthening an economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable and just food system. What makes this minor unique is its commitment interdisciplinary approaches to curriculum development, collaborative teaching strategies, and experiential learning for social change.  The framework for the curriculum is grounded in the knowledge and core values that embody the definition of CAFS:

• food sovereignty
• civic engagement/democratic participation
• strong local economies
• ecological stewardship
• healthy people/communities
• collaborative teaching and experiential learning

Leadership Positions:

• Director, Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation
• Director, Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program
• Director, AgrAbility Virginia Program

My appointment at Virginia Tech includes a 40% allocation for Extension programs.  I have focused my Extension effort in two interrelated program areas centered on food systems–based community and situated at the nexus of food, agriculture and society: 1) farm start-up and sustainability, and 2) community food systems. My efforts consist of program development and implementation, evaluation, applied scholarship, outreach, and administrative leadership responsibilities with a commitment to participatory community development as a guiding principle for Extension work at a state, regional, national, and international level. Two hallmarks of my Extension programming are its collaborative nature and the ways in which it centers issues of equity throughout.  

Select Refereed Journal Articles and Book Chapters

Upasani S., Franco R., Niewolny K., & Srinivasan D. (2019) The potential For exoskeletons to improve health and safety in agriculture: Perspectives from service providers.  IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors , DOI: 10.1080/24725838.2019.1575930

Culhane, J., Niewolny, K., Clark, S., & Misyak, S. (2018). Exploring the Intersections of Interdisciplinary Teaching, Experiential Learning, and Community Engagement: A Case Study of Service Learning in Practice. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 30(3), 412-422.

Trozzo, K., Munsell, J., Niewolny, K., & Chamberlain, J. (2018). Forest food and medicine in contemporary Appalachia. Southeastern Geographer, 59(1).

Niewolny, K., Schroeder-Moreno, M. S., Mason, G., McWhirt, A., & Clark, S. (2017). Participatory Praxis for Community Food Security Education. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 7(4), 105-128.

Ligrani, R., & Niewolny, K. (2017). Community Food Work as Critical Practice: A Faith-Based Perspective through Narratives. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 7(4), 61-77.

Niewolny, K. & D'Adamo-Damery, P. (2016).  Learning through story as political praxis: The role of narratives in community food work. In Sumner, J. (Ed.), Learning, food, and sustainability: Sites for resistance and change.  Palgrave/Macmillan: New York

Niewolny, K. & D'Adamo-Damery, P. (2016).  Learning through story as political praxis: The role of narratives in community food work. In Sumner, J. (Ed.), Learning, food, and sustainability: Sites for resistance and change.  Palgrave/Macmillan: New York.

MacAuley, L., & Niewolny, K., (2016). Situating On-farm apprenticeships within the alternative agrifood movement: Labor and social justice implications.  Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 6(2), 195–223.

Culhane, J., Niewolny, K., Clark, S., McConnell, K., Friedel., C. (2016). Learning through Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Teaching: A Case Study of Faculty Work as Learning in Sustainable Agriculture Education, North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Journal, 60(2), 219-226.

Misyak, S., Ledlie Johnson, M., McFerren, M., Hosig, K., Niewolny, K. & Serrano, E. (2015). (In Press). Low-income mothers’ perception of barriers to using farmers markets to access local foods. Journal of Extension. Available at http://www.joe.org/joe/2015august/a3.php

Misyak, S., Ledlie Johnson, M., McFerren, M., Niewolny, K., Hosig, K. & Serrano, E. (2014). Understanding low-income Virginians’ perceptions of healthy food, local food, and food access: Implication for nutrition programming. In Thomas, C. I. P. (Ed.), Food insecurity in the United States. Common Grounds: Champaign, IL.

Bryant, L., Niewolny, K., Watson, E., Clark, S. (2014). Complicated spaces: Negotiating collaborative teaching and interdisciplinarity in higher education, The Journal of Effective Teaching. 14(2), 83-101.

Zanko, A., Hill, J., Estabrooks, P, Niewolny, K., Zoellner, J. (2014). Evaluating community gardens in a health disparate region: A qualitative case study approach. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition. 9:1–33.

Hightower, L., Niewolny, K., & Brennan, M. A. (2013). Immigrant farming programs and social capital: Evaluating community and economic outcomes through social capital theory. Community Development: The Journal of the Community Development Society. 44(5), 582-596.

Clark, S., Byker, C., Niewolny, K., Helms, J. (2013).  Framing an undergraduate minor through the Civic Agriculture and Food Systems Curriculum.  North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Journal. 57(2), 56-67

Niewolny, K., Grossman, J., Byker, C., Helms, J., Clark, S., Cotton, J., Jacobsen, K. (2012).  Sustainable agriculture education and civic engagement: The significance of community-university partnerships in the new agricultural paradigm. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. 2(3), 27–42.

Jacobsen, K., Niewolny, K., Schroeder-Moreno, M., Van Horn, M., Harmon, A., Chen Fanslow, Y., Williams, M., & Parr, D.  (2012). Sustainable agriculture undergraduate degree programs: A land-grant university mission. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 2(3), 13–26.

Benson, M., Hightower, L., Bendfeldt, E., Tyler-Mackey, C., Niewolny, K., & Grover, G. (2012). Surveying agrifood stakeholders to identify priorities as part of a Virginia food system assessment. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 3(1) 215-234.

Niewolny, K. & Wilson, A. (2011). “Social learning” for/in adult education? A discursive review of what it means for learning to be “social.” In Sharan B. Merriam & André P. Grace (Ed.), The Jossey-Bass Reader on Contemporary Issues and Trends in Adult Education. Jossey-Bass: CA.

Niewolny, K., & Lillard, P.  (2010). Expanding the boundaries of beginning farmer training and program development:  A review of contemporary initiatives to cultivate a new generation of American farmers.  Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 1(1), 65-88.

Niewolny, K., & Wilson, A. (2009). What happened to the promise?  A critical (re)orientation of two sociocultural learning traditions. Adult Education Quarterly. 60(1), 26-45. 

Select Refereed Conference Proceedings Papers (national and international)

MacAuley, L., & Niewolny, K. (2018).  Learning Through On-Farm Apprenticeships: Labor Identities and Sociocultural Reproduction within Alternative Agrifood Movements. In Proceedings of the 59th Annual Adult Education Research Conference. Victoria, BC Canada.

Niewolny, K., MacAuley, L., Tanaka, K., Hyden, H., Brislen, L., Jacobsen, K., Velandia, M., Hodges, S., Sorensen, E.., & Wszelaki, A. (2016). Mapping the complexities of farmer knowledge production: An interdisciplinary systems approach to examining new farming systems in rural Appalachia. Conference Proceedings paper presented at the 14th World Congress for Rural Sociology, Toronto, Canada.

Niewolny, K., & Archibald, T. (2015). Collective impact in/for adult education: A framework for collective action to address community complexity and resilience. In Proceedings of the 56th Annual Adult Education Research Conference. Kansas State University: Manhattan, KS.

Niewolny, K. & D'Adamo-Damery, P. (2014). Learning from practice stories & reflective practice: A narrative analysis of community-based activism by community food system practitioners. In Proceedings of the 55th Annual Adult Education Research Conference. Pennsylvania State University:  Harrisburg, PA.

Niewolny, K. (2013).  Learning for food system justice: Exploring action research and interdisciplinary knowledge production in the local food movement. In Proceedings of the 54th Annual Adult Education Research Conference. University of Missouri: St. Louis, MO.

Tanaka, K., Niewolny, K., Jacobsen, K., & Brislen, L. (2012). Mapping sustainability, farming sustainably: Mapping approach in the study of sustainable farming systems.  In Proceedings of the XIII World Congress of Rural Sociology, Lisbon: Portugal.

Seibel, M., & Niewolny, K.  (2011).  Development of peer educators within paraprofessional community-based adult education models: An experiential learning perspective. In Proceedings of the 52^nd Annual Adult Education Research Conference (AERC).  University of Toronto:  Toronto, Canada.  

Niewolny, K. &, Grudens-Schuck, N., Wilson, W.  (2010).  Learning about/for Sustainability as Contested Space:  Contemporary Characterizations of Adult Education in the Sustainable Agriculture Movement.  In Proceedings of the 51st Annual Adult Education Research Conference.  Sacramento State University:  Sacramento, CA.

Niewolny, K.  (2009).  Discourse as evidence:  Making space for critical discourse analysis (CDA) in adult educational research.  In Proceedings of the 39th Annual SCUTREA Conference, University of Cambridge, UK. 

Niewolny, K., & Wilson, A. (2008).  Seeing what needs to be seen, saying what needs to be said:  Discourse analysis for critical adult education.  In Proceedings of the 49th Annual Adult Education Research Conference.  The University of Missouri: St. Louis, MO.

Niewolny, K., & Wilson, A.  (2007).  Economic knowledge production of the Growing New Farmers Consortium, 2000-2005:  A critical discourse analysis of adult agricultural education.  In Proceedings of the 48th Annual Adult Education Research Conference. Mount Saint Vincent University:  Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Select Refereed Paper Presentation and Abstracts

Niewolny, K., & Kunkler, T., (2017, June).  Capacity Building for Regional Food System Change in Rural-Urban Spaces:  Considerations on Complexity, Hope, and Social Justice.  Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society, Professional Meeting, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA.

MacAuley, L., & Niewolny, K.  (2017, June). A critical ethnographic case study of on-farm apprentices:  Social movement participation and farmworker identities.  Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society, Professional Meeting, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA

Mason, G., & Niewolny, K. (2016, August). Exploring community education for rural radicalism in Chiapas, Mexico.  Paper presented at the 14th World Congress for Rural Sociology, Toronto, Canada.

Niewolny, K., & Bendfeldt, E., (2016, May). Creating Hope and Transformation for Food System Change:  Stories of Praxis and Community Food Work.  Paper presented at the Fourth Annual Workshop On Food Justice. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

Niewolny, K., D'Adamo-Damery, P. D'Adamo-Damery*, N. R. Landis*. (2015, June) (Re)creating Stories of Community Food Work: Narratives as Spaces of Generative Possibilities for Political Praxis. Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society, Professional Meeting, Chatham University, Pittsburg, PA.

Landis, R. & Niewolny, K. (2015, June). Narratives and critical praxis: Stories of faith-based practitioners and urban food security.  Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society Professional Meeting, Chatham University, Pittsburg, PA

D'Adamo-Damery, P. &. Niewolny, K. (2015, June) Mapping rhizomes: Stories as generative concepts for post-neoliberal community food work. Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society Professional Meeting, Chatham University, Pittsburg, PA.

Clark S., G. Mason, K. Niewolny, N. D'Adamo-Damery, P. D'Adamo-Damery, K. Scott, C. Gabbard, J. Moles, T. Kunkler. Clark. S., Mason, G., Niewolny, K, D’Adamo-Damery, P., Scott, K., Gabbard, G., Moles, J., Kunkler, T. (2015, June). Southwest Virginia’s Community Food Security Assessment: A Collaborative Effort with Community Stakeholders to Develop a Regional Food System Roadmap. Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society, Pittsburgh, PA.

D'Adamo-Damery, P. &. Niewolny, K. (2015, July).  Exploring the Possible: Imagining Non-Hierarchical Food Security Work Through Stories. Community Development Society, Annual International Conference, University of Kentucky.

Savran Al-Haik H., Friedel, C., Niewolny, K., Ozkan, B., Rudd, R., Dunaway, W. (2015, April) I don't know what my husband is going to say about that - What Extension can do for Women Farmers in Turkey. Presentation at AIAEE Annual Meeting, The Netherlands, Wageningen.

MacAuley, L.  & Niewolny, K. (2015, February). Understanding On-Farm Apprenticeships: Implications for Addressing Beginning Farmer Opportunities and Viability. Southern Rural Sociology Association Annual Meeting.

Niewolny, K., D’Adamo-Damery, P., Bales, C., Bendfeldt, E., Archibald, T. (2014, August). Sustaining and growing new farmers:  A collective impact perspective. Paper presented at the National Sustainable Agriculture Education Association, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.

MacAuley, L., & Niewolny, K.  (2014, August). Preparing beginning farmers through on-farm apprenticeships: Learning through farming.  Paper presented at the National Sustainable Agriculture Education Association, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.

Helms, J., Niewolny, K., & Clark, S. (2014, August). Service and community engagement:  A case study of a civic agriculture minor. Paper presented at the National Sustainable Agriculture Education Association, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.

Niewolny, K. (2014, June). Storytelling and narrative analysis of community food work in Appalachia Virginia. Paper presented at the Joint Annual Conference of the Association for the Study of Food and Society and the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society Conference, Burlington, VT.

Niewolny, K., Tanaka K., Brislen L., MacAuley, L.*, Jacobsen, K., Velandia, M., Li, Z., & Wszelaki, A. (2014, February). Exploring beginning farmer knowledge production of sustainable farming systems in the upper southeast region:  A systems approach to “mapping” agricultural sustainability.  Paper presented at the 45th Southern Rural Sociological Association Conference, Dallas, TX.

Kennedy, R., Niewolny, K., Ciamillo, S., D’Adamo-Damery, P., Jonson, S., MacAuley^, L., Savran Al-Haik, H.., & Trutko, A.  (2013, June).  Co-learning in a graduate-level food systems course:  Interdisciplinary perspectives on course-based action research.  North America Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Conference, Blacksburg, Virginia.

D'Adamo-Damery, P., Niewolny, K., D'Adamo-Damery, N., & Ziegler, P. (2013, June) Negotiating complexity and community food security in central Appalachia.  Paper presentation at the 2013 Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society Conference, East Lansing, MI.

Helms, J., & Niewolny, K. (2013, June). Enhancing the learning landscape through the scholarship of sustainable agriculture education:  Building Community-University partnerships.  Paper presentation at the 2013 Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society Conference, East Lansing, MI.

D'Adamo-Damery, P., Niewolny, K., & D'Adamo-Damery, N.  (2013, February). Enhancing community food security in rural Appalachia: From the bottom Up. Paper presented at the 44th Southern Rural Sociological Association Conference, Orlando, FL.

Niewolny, K., & Benson, M. (2013, January). Strengthening the Virginia farm to school program through a state-based program evaluation. Poster Presentation at the 2013 Virginia Cooperative Extension In-Service Conference.  Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.

Niewolny, K., Westfall-Rudd, D., Smith, Jr., M., Benson, M., & Helms, J. (2012, September). Whole farm planning as a framework for participatory-based education for beginning farmers and farm service providers: A lesson in collaboration. Presentation at the 5^th National Sustainable Agriculture Education Association Conference, Corvallis, OR.

Benson, M.,& Niewolny, K.   (2012, June). A mixed methods assessment of the Virginia farm to school program. Paper presented at the 2012 Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Conference, New York City, NY.

Niewolny, K., Westfull-Rudd, D., Rudd, R., Hodges, S., Scott, K., Benson, M., & Smith, M. (2012, February). Community-based participatory research as a social change vehicle for cultivating new and beginning farmers in Virginia. Presentation at the 43rd Southern Rural Sociological Association Conference, Birmingham, AL.

Niewolny, K., Meyer, A.L., Lamie, D., & Dupont, T. (2011, August).    Local innovation for/with beginning farmers:  Four place-based approaches to beginning farmer training, mentoring, & program development.  Panel and paper presentation at the 2011 Sustainable Agriculture Education Association Conference, Lexington, KY.

Broyles, T., Niewolny, K, Clark, S., Doolittle, P.,& Watson, E., (2011, June).  Collaborative Teaching: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly? Annual Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching.  Washington D.C.

Select Referred Extension Publications

Dorn, S., Nartea, T., Smith, M., & Westfall-Rudd, M.* (In Press).  Marketing: An Educational Program for Farm Startup and Development, In D. M. Westfall-Rudd & K. Niewolny (Series Eds.), Virginia Cooperative Extension: Blacksburg, VA.

Westfall-Rudd, D., Groover, G., Callan, P., McKay, S., (2015). Whole Farm Business Management and Planning: An Educational Program for Farm Startup and Development, edited by D. M. Westfall-Rudd and K. Niewolny. Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication AEE-53P. Blacksburg, VA.

Niewolny, K., Schmidt, K., Groover, G., & Smith, M.* (2015).  Land Acquisition and Tenure. Module IV in Virginia Whole Farm Planning: An Educational Program for Farm Startup and Development, edited by D. M. Westfall-Rudd and K. Niewolny. Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication AEE-51P. Blacksburg, VA: VCE.

Niewolny, K., Vallotton, A., & Kloetzli, C. (2014). Introduction to whole farm planning (VCE Publication No. AEE-50P). In D. M. Westfall-Rudd & K. Niewolny (Series Eds.), Virginia Whole Farm Planning: An educational program for farm startup & development curriculum. Virginia Cooperative Extension: Blacksburg, VA.

Niewolny, K., & Lezberg, S. (2014).  An introduction to community, local regional food systems.  eXtension Community of Practice, Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems.  Available at: http://www.extension.org/pages/70445/an-introduction-to-community-local-regional-food-systems#.U7b-9k1OWM8

Sarah, M., Johnson, M., McFerren, M., Hosig, K., Niewolny, K., & Serano, E. (2014). Exploring community and focal food systems by means of photo elicitation. eXtension Community of Practice, Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems. Available at: http://www.extension.org/pages/70549/exploring-community-and-local-food-systems-by-means-of-photo-elicitation

Benson, M., Niewolny, K., & Rudd, R. (2014). An evaluation of program, training and resource needs of Virginia beginning farmers and ranchers:  Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program. AEE-81P. Virginia Cooperative Extension: Blacksburg, VA.

Niewolny, K., Kloetzli, C., & Vallotton, A. (2013). Successful farm start-up for beginners: Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program.  AEE-67P.  Virginia Cooperative Extension: Blacksburg, VA.

Bendfeldt, E., Tyler-Mackey, C., Benson, M., Hightower, L., & Niewolny, K. (2012). Virginia farm to table: Healthy farms and healthy food for the common wealth and common good. Virginia Cooperative Extension EDIS Publication, CV-3.

Select Extension and Outreach Publications (non-referred)

Niewolny, K., Latimer, J., Bendfeldt, E., Scott, K., Morton, S., Miller, C., Nartea, T., Githinji, L., Gehrt, K., Tyler-Mackey, C., Neale, S., Vines, S. Grisso, R., DiuBois Harrow, L., (2016). Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems, ALCE-155NP, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, VA.

Niewolny, K., Latimer, J., Bendfeldt, E., Scott, K., Morton, S., Miller, C., Nartea, T., Githinji, L., Gehrt, K., Tyler-Mackey, C., Neale, S., Vines, S. Grisso, R., DiuBois Harrow, L., (2016). Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems (CLRFS) Forum Report, ALCE 156NP, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, VA.

Niewolny, K., Latimer, J., Bendfeldt, E., Scott, K., Morton, S., Miller, C., Nartea, T., Githinji, L., Gehrt, K., Tyler-Mackey, C., Neale, S., Vines, S. Grisso, R., DiuBois Harrow, L., (2016). VCE Model of Community, Local, Regional Food Systems, ALCE 154NP, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, VA.

Kyle, C., Niewolny, K., Orndoff, N., Ohanehi, D., Ballin, K., Young, J., Bridge, S., Robertson, T., (2016). The basics of on-farm safety: An introductory guide by the AgrAbility Virginia Program. (AEE-151NP), Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, VA.

Kyle, C., Niewolny, K., Orndoff, N., Ohanehi, D., Ballin, K., Young, J., Bridge, S., Robertson, T., (2016). Mental health topics for farm families and caregivers: An AgrAbility Virginia Program resource. (AEE-151NP), Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, VA.

Kyle, C., Niewolny, K., Orndoff, N., Ohanehi, D., Ballin, K., Young, J., Bridge, S., Robertson, T., (2016). A resource guide for start-up military veteran farmers (AEE-152 NP), Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, VA.

Grisso R., Wolf, T., Perumpral, J., Ohanehi, D., Niewolny, K., Ballin, K.  (2015) Grape Production Injuries and Prevention. VCE Publication BSE-186NP. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.

Mark, A., Niewolny, K., Morgan, K., Callan, P., Scott, K. Nartea, T., Kloetzli, C., Hilleary, J., Jeter, R.  (2015).  Introduction to Labor Issues for Beginning Farmers.  AEE-106NP. Virginia Cooperative Extension. Virginia Tech.

Grant, A., Hariston, J., Barrott, D. Bendfeldt, E., Clark, S., Crawford, C., D’Adamo-Damery, N., DeBiasi, D., Denckla-Cobb, T., Inman, A., Jackson, C., Jackson, F., Jones, D., Jones, E., Keller, C., McFaren, M., Moore, M., Niewolny, K., Odeh, O., O’Dell, M., Reed, L., Reese, F., Rose, A., Roth, J.,  Schwitters, S., Tyler-Mackey, C., Van Horn, L., Van Ness, M., (2014). Food deserts in Virginia: Recommendations from the Food Desert Task Force. VCE-294NP. Virginia Cooperative Extension: Blacksburg, VA.

Benson, M., & Niewolny, K., (2013).  Virginia Farm to School Resource Guide:  Helping Connect Virginia Foods to Virginia Schools. AEE-77NP. Virginia Cooperative Extension: Blacksburg, VA. (Currently under VCE Peer Review)

Kloetzli, C., & Vallotton, A., Niewolny, K. (2013).  Are you a Beginning Farmer?  Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program.   NR-91NP.  Virginia Cooperative Extension. Virginia Tech.

Kloetzli, C., & Vallotton, A., Niewolny, K. (2013).  Are you a Beginning Farmer?  Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program.   NR-91NP.  Virginia Cooperative Extension. Virginia Tech.

Niewolny, K. & McKay, S. (2013).  Technical Assistance and Resource Directory: Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program.   AEE-76NP.  Virginia Cooperative Extension. Virginia Tech.

Niewolny, K. , & Whitter-Cummings, A. (2013).  Virginia Beginning Farmer Profiles: Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program.   AEE-70NP.  Virginia Cooperative Extension. Virginia Tech.

Niewolny, K., & Gehrt, K., (2013).  Common ground:  Public impacts with the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program.  VT/0513/VCE-163.  Virginia Cooperative Extension. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.

Benson, M., & Niewolny, K. (2012). Results of the 2011 Virginia farm to school program survey of school nutrition directors. Virginia Cooperative Extension.  Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.

Benson, M., & Niewolny, K. (2012). Results of focus groups and interviews with Virginia farm to school program stakeholders: School nutrition directors, specialty crop farmers, and food distributors. Virginia Cooperative Extension.  Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.

Benson, M., Niewolny, K. & Rudd, R.  (2012). Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Final Survey Report and Instrument. Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program.  Virginia Cooperative Extension.  Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.

Journal Review and Editorial Boards

• Agriculture and Human Values (Reviewer)
• eXtension Community of Practice Leadership Team, Local, Regional, and Community Food Systems Community of Practice. (Leadership Team and Senior Editor)
• International Journal of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education (Associate Editor)
•  Journal of Extension (Reviewer)
• Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (Reviewer)
• North American Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture Journal (Reviewer)
• North American Food systems Network (Leadership Circle)

Professional Organizations and Honor Societies

Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society (AFHVS)- Board Member 2016-present
Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS)
American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE)
Commission of Professors of Adult Education (CPAE)
Community Development Society (CDS)
Southern Region Sociological Society (SRSS)
Sustainable Agriculture Education Association (SAEA) –Chair 2013; Vice Chair 2012
Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society
Xi Sigma Pi Natural Resources Honor Society

Ph.D., Adult & Extension Education, 2007, Cornell University, Department of Education

M.S., Adult & Extension Education, 2006, Cornell University, Department of Education

M.P.S., Community & Rural Development, 2003, Cornell University, Department of Development Sociology

B.S., Biology & Wildlife Ecology, 1996, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Awards

• 2017, Diversity Incentive Fund Award (with Erin Ling), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech
• 2017, Southern Extension Risk Management Education Center Outstanding Outreach Project Award
• 2016, Andy Swiger Land-Grant Award, Virginia Tech
• 2014, Teacher Fellow Award, North American Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA)
• 2013, Virginia Cooperative Extension Research Presentation Award, Specialist Category, (second place), Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension
• 2012,  Virginia Cooperative Extension Research Presentation Award, Specialist Category, (first place) Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension
• 2011, Faculty Extension Award,  Department of Agriculture and Extension Education, Virginia Tech
• 2008, Marvin & Ruth Glock Research Award for Outstanding Dissertation, Department of Education, Cornell University,
• 2007, Julian E. Butterworth Award for Outstanding Dissertation Proposal, Department of Education, Cornell University
• 2006, Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Cornell University

As a CALS initiative, the Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation works at the nexus of food, community, and society to catalyze new food system possibilities that are essential to advancing the human condition in Virginia and beyond.  Our aims include:

• Developing dynamic co-learning partnerships across Virginia Tech and the Commonwealth for improved collaboration among a diversity of stakeholders addressing the complexity of food system issues with emphasis on social equity and community sustainability.

• Launching community-based research initiatives that addresses historical and emergent issues related to healthy food access, farming system viability, ecological sustainability, and producer/food worker rights.

• Supporting community-university teaching and learning opportunities by leveraging existing, and creating new, service-based curriculum in food, farming, and community transformation.

To learn more, please visit:  https://foodsystems.centers.vt.edu/