Dr. Butler asked us on Thursday "Where would you be in the food system?" I think earlier on in the semester, I would have answered this question with "As a local planner advocating for food from inside the government. Someone inside that can support local community efforts with policy and planning tools."
However, at this point in the semester, I don't see myself taking on this role. I think a much smaller role may be more up my alley. I'd rather be on the ground with the community, and indeed part of the community, doing small tasks at the neighborhood scale. I'd rather be a "Food Ambassador" from the neighborhood interacting with planners. Like a middle man, between the community and the local government. Someone who can assist in running a small community garden or farmers' market while also not afraid to dive into local politics for food needs. All of this may prove to be too ambitious as it starts to sound like a full time job.
I have no clue where I'll end up or what I'll be doing. Perhaps a more off-to-the side approach to food is more realistic for me, like having my own garden or community garden plot. But since the food system is so broad and linked to everything, I do know for certain that whatever I end up doing as a career, food will be related in one form or another.
I can see myself in a similar role as the one you proposed, while I have now become passionate about food in general I don't see myself specifically working in a field that is totally oriented to it. I do on the other hand see myself volunteering with local food organizations and generally trying to make people more aware of their part. Nice reflection!
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