People

We build meaningful citizen involvement into our programs with the help of a Citizens Advisory Council. The council gives us input on our long-range and strategic plans for research on sustainable farming and rural community vitality. A Faculty Associates group helps us develop relationships with faculty members representing a broad range of academic disciplines. CIAS staff members work with these partners to create flexible, multidisciplinary research and education/training projects.

Birmingham, Deirdre

Chair, CIAS Citizens Advisory Council

Deirdre is starting an organic apple orchard in Iowa County. The orchard features English and French cider apples that she will process to make draft and vintage ciders. She helped initiate and runs the Midwest Organic Tree Fruit Growers Network. She also helps nonprofits and farmers apply for various grant programs. She is president of the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), and a past director of the REAP Food Group. She has experience running an educational nonprofit and working in international agricultural development, particularly in Africa. She holds a Joint Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Land Resources and Adult Education. deirdreb@mindspring.com

Bell, Michael M.

CIAS Director
Professor, Department of Community and Environmental Sociology
michaelbell@wisc.edu

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CIAS in the community

CIAS staff, programs featured in Grow Magazine

CIAS staff, programs featured in Grow Magazine

The Spring 2012 issue of Grow Magazine from CALS includes a feature article on "Growing Future Farmers." The article profiles CIAS staff member Rebecca Claypool, who raises vegetables on her farm near Avoca, Wisconsin. Rebecca works on our Veggie Compass project. The article also features the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers, directed by CIAS staff member and beef farmer Dick Cates. Read the article here.

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