When you first meet Emma Scudder, the first thing you’ll probably notice is her dirt-clad fingernails. As the food and farm educator at Drumlin Farm, Emma is always exploring new ways to translate the complexities of farm science into concepts anyone, from preschoolers to adults, can understand.
And sometimes, that involves getting your hands a little dirty.
“The farm is such a dynamic environment,” says Emma, who started working at the farm in April of 2015.
When Emma left her childhood home in New Hampshire to study environmental science at Tufts University, she didn’t know that her love for food and passion for sustainability could merge into her ideal career path. But after years of involvement with the Tufts Garden Club, as well as City Sprouts and Groundworks, she soon realized that not only was this the path she wanted, but it was essential for passing down the knowledge of environmental sustainability to future generations.
So with her degree and experiences tucked under her belt, newly graduated Emma taught preschoolers on Martha’s Vineyard as part of Island Grown Schools, a farm-to-school nonprofit. It was only a matter of time until she decided to continue sharing and teaching this message of healthy eating and the importance of sustainable agriculture at Drumlin Farm.
“I love feeding off the energy of the kids,” says Emma. “Seeing their interest and curiosity motivates me every day.”
In addition to teaching preschoolers how to press apple cider, make pumpkin butter, and grow their own garden in Boyce Field, Emma also teaches children and families, teens, and adults through Drumlin Farm’s Know Your Food programs, which she manages. And if you were at Woolapalooza, you probably munched on her carrot cake.
“Food is a great way to connect people to the farm,” says Emma. “Plus, you can reap the benefits of a successful ‘science experiment’—by eating it!”
Interested in taking a class with Emma? Here’s what she has coming up: