About Rachel Tayse (she/her)
I am a Midwestern soil creative, an organic farmer, a forager, and a from-scratch cook.
I value interdepdence and equity, centering in my work marginalized communities including LGBTQIA+, neurodivergence, and the abundance of life forms on Earth. I find power in diversity, strength in following nature's lead, and beauty in wild edges.
I practice mindfulness and meditation daily to ground me in my truth that all life is interconnected.
I am honored to steward ten acres of Appalachian land within the occupied territory of Miami tribe in Highland County, Ohio. I draw on the wisdom inherent in these lands and the humans who have come before me, and contribute resources to mutal aid projects regularly.
I share my life with my partner Chris (he/him), teenager Lil (they/them), and our menagerie of dog, cats, fish, and plant pets.
My farming experience includes eight years as organic farmer selling at central Ohio farmers markets, and three years of solo operating a small-scale seedling and produce farm. As an educator, I have facilitated courses on sustainable agriculture topics such as farm planning, seed starting, grant funding, and farmer wellness for groups of all ages and sizes since 2010. I have worked for the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) and Produce Perks Midwest in sustainable food system roles.
I have had the pleasure of collaborating with regional, state-wide, and national organizations on a variety of private and public funded projects, including writing and receiving grants from the United States Department of Agriculture, the North-Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, and Mid-Ohio Food Bank. I currently serve on the Ohio Nutrition Incentive Network and advise several farmer social support research projects.
My professional certifications include:
Co-author, Doherty, F., Tayse, R., Kaiser, M., & Rao, S. (2023). “The farm has an insatiable appetite”: A food justice approach to understanding beginning farmer stress. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 12(3), 69–92.
North American Food Systems Network AgriCluster Resilience and Expansion (ACRE) Facilitator
American Farmland Trust Land Access Trainer