EXTENSION EXPANDS STAFF WITH FOOD SYSTEM PROGRAM COORDINATOR
LINKING REGIONAL PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS By Jim Frankowiak
“In addition to the programming aspect of this position, the coordinator will also be tasked with uncovering a strategic food system plan,” noted Gran. “The coordinator will create a collaborative environment by engaging stakeholders to participate in a Food Policy Council. By identifying community assets, motivations and goals, this unified body can help direct the development of the regional food system in a unified way. “All over the nation, communities are working to strengthen rural livelihoods, monitor environmental impacts, develop cultural identities and provide adequate healthful alternatives,” said Gran. “Each of these initiatives has a direct relationship to the food system. The Program Coordinator will learn from other communities to successfully implement best practices locally in Hillsborough County.” A native of Gainesville, Florida, Petrella is an alumnus of the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree in Food and Resource Economics, “the same major as my father,” she said. While an undergrad at UF, Petrella attended a small farms conference under the aegis of UF/IFAS that proved to be highly impactive on her future career plans. Monica Petrella recently joined the staff of Hillsborough County Extension as the inaugural Food Systems Program Coordinator responsible for promoting and bolstering small and mid-scale regional agricultural production by engaging in cross-community partnerships and programming.
“That conference was an ‘Ahah’ moment for me and my plans for the future,” said Petrella. After receiving her undergraduate degree from UF, she pursued a Master’s degree in Community Development and Applied Economics at the University of Vermont, which she was awarded in 2018.
“The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) in collaboration with Hillsborough County government already provides critical programming to the agricultural community that allows the county to compete in national and international markets,” said Extension Director Stephen Gran. “A unified programming initiative to increase direct marketing instances between regional producers and consumers had not been previously identified. Extension Agents often work one-on-one with producers and residents to improve the efficacy of their operations; the Food System Program Coordinator will work with community organizations that are interested in ‘going local’ to support regional production as well as support ‘local solutions to local problems’ such as food insecurity.
“I consider this to be my dream job,” said Petrella. “I am very lucky to have a position that is so in line with my interests. It intersects the common good with food and agriculture, especially those with limited or no access to nutritional food choices, while helping mid to small size regional producers market their products.
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“Organizations such as large institutional buyers (schools, hospitals, etc.), after-school programs, neighborhood associations, the Corporation to Develop Communities, social services, technical schools, universities and more are encouraged to work with the Program Coordinator to determine how to engage to support food and agriculture initiatives in Hillsborough County,” said Gran. “Outcomes of the collaborations can range from community farm-to-table events, increased volunteer opportunities in community gardens, expanded nutrition education, more frequent opportunities to participate in community supported agriculture (CSA) or u-pick sales and more opportunities to ‘know your farmer’. These programs could result in more economic sustainability and resiliency for regional producers, as well as a healthy community.
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INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE
December 2019
“My to do list also includes the formation of a Hillsborough County Chapter of the Florida Food Policy Council, which will work to identify and meet the needs of our local community through policy-making decisions effectively impacting urban agricultural initiatives,” she said. In her limited spare time, Petrella visits various Florida historical locations noting how impactful “agriculture has been on the economy of our state, a legacy that hopefully will continue,” she said.
For more information about collaborative opportunities, Petrella can be reached via email: petrellaml@hillsboroughcounty.org telephone: 813/744-5519, Ext. 54111.
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