CDS is delighted to welcome our newest staff member, Julia Chamberland, who has joined us as a Cooperative Development Specialist. Among other things, Julia will be supporting our revitalized Small & Strong program for small food co-ops, our Employer-Led Childcare Cooperative project pilot, and several of our small producer co-ops.
Julia joins CDS as a passionate advocate for local food systems, farmer agency, and the power of community-led economies. Born and raised in rural Iowa, she understands both the vibrancy of rural communities as well as the many challenges that rural people and environments face. But she is a staunch optimist and believes that a better world is possible.
Before joining the CDS team, Julia managed the first season of the Uptown Farmers Market in Minneapolis, a successful community-led initiative with over 40 vendors and 2000 weekly visitors. She previously led agrivoltaics crop research with the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) in Minnesota for two growing seasons. Her prior experience ranges from working on a CSA veggie farm crew to conducting research on an AgriHub farmer resource center in Cape Town, South Africa. She holds a BA in Geography and Environmental Studies from Macalester College.
Julia lives with her three housemates in South Minneapolis and is a proud Wedge Co-op member. She loves all things food-related, from making layer cakes for friends’ birthdays to fermentation experiments. You’ll also find her playing the guitar and singing, taking on a new home project, and enjoying the Minneapolis chain of lakes in all seasons.