TEAM MEMBERS
BRAZIL
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Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) is one of Brazil’s largest public universities, operating 24 campuses mainly in smaller cities across São Paulo state, UNESP is recognized for its strong commitment to regional development and applied research. As the lead academic partner in the Brazil case study of the Ag4C project, UNESP coordinates local fieldwork, supports agroecological research, and facilitates collaboration with community partners throughout the region.
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Dr. Bernardo Mançano Fernandes
Co-Principal Investigator
Professor, Department of Geography, Faculty of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University
Contact: mancano.fernandes@unesp.br
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Dr. Davis Sansolo
Co-Investigator
Associate Professor, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University
Contact: davis.sansolo@unesp.br
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Dr. João Osvaldo
Co-Investigator
Associate Professor, Department of Geomorphology, Faculty of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University
Contact: joao.o.nunes@unesp.br
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Lorena Iza Pereira
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Geography, Faculty of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University
Contact: lorena.izap@gmail.com ​
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Dr. Margarete Trindade Amorim
Community Partner
Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Faculty of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University
Contact: margarete.amorim@unesp.br
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Juanita Trigo Nasser
Community Partner
Director, Department of Agriculture and Environment, Peruíbe, São Paulo City Government
Contact: juanita.nasser@unesp.br
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Dr. Estevan Coca
Co-Applicant
Institute of Nature and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas
Contact: estevan.coca@unifal-mg.edu.br ​​
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Fancine Garcia
PhD Student
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University
Contact: fogarci@gmail.com​
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Larissa de Oliveira Caroca
Masters Student
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University
Contact: larissa.caroca@unesp.br​
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Luiza Trigo
Field Technician
FAPESP, Sao Paulo Research Foundation
Contact: luhnasser.g@gmail.com​
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Fabricio Naka de Oliveira
Field Technician
FAPESP, Sao Paulo Research Foundation
Contact: fabricio.naka@unesp.br
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Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST)
Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST) is a major social movement in Brazil advocating for agrarian reform and the rights of rural workers. The MST organizes landless and smallholder farmers to promote equitable land access, sustainable farming practices, and social justice. As a community partner in the Ag4C project, MST connects researchers with grassroots agroecological initiatives and supports efforts to integrate farmer knowledge into sustainable agriculture research. ​
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União das Mulheres Produtoras da Economia Solidária de Peruíbe (UMPES)
Solidary Economy Women Farmer’s Union
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Associação dos Produtores Rurais e Moradores do Cajueiro, Jaqueira e Adjacências (APRUMOCAJAA)
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Coletivo da Feira do Produtor Rural de Peruíbe
Farmer’s Market Rural Collective
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Associação de Produtores Assentados da Rodeio (APAR)
Associação de Produtores Assentados da Rodeio (APAR) is an association of smallholder farmers settled in the Rodeio region of Brazil, working collectively to promote sustainable agriculture and improve community livelihoods. The organization supports agroecological practices, knowledge sharing, and local development initiatives. As a community partner in the Ag4C project, APAR facilitates connections between researchers and farming communities, facilitating fieldwork and helping to ground the project in the realities of family farming in the region.
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Cooperativa dos Agricultores Familiares e Empreendedores Familiares Rurais (COOPAFER)
Cooperativa dos Agricultores Familiares e Empreendedores Familiares Rurais (COOPAFER) is a cooperative of family farmers and rural entrepreneurs in Brazil, focused on promoting sustainable agriculture and supporting local livelihoods. The cooperative facilitates access to markets, technical assistance, and capacity building for small-scale producers. As a community partner in the Ag4C project, COOPAFER plays a vital role in linking research activities with family farming communities and facilitating fieldwork.
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Marisa de Fatima de Luz
Community Partner
Community Leader, Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra
Contact: marisa.luz@unesp.br ​​
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Roberto Yassuo Shirasaki
Community Partner
Government Extension Agent, Rural Extension Unit, Pontal de Paranapanema, Integral Technical Assistance Coordination, Presidente Prudente Government
Contact: roberto.shirasaki@sp.gov.br ​
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CANADA
University of British Columbia (UBC)
​The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a leading public research university with campuses in Vancouver and the Okanagan. Founded in 1915, UBC is known for its commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and advancing global sustainability. As the lead academic institution in the Ag4C project, UBC coordinates cross-country collaboration and provides academic leadership in agroecological research, survey development, and data governance. Researchers from UBC also lead the Canadian case study and contribute to working groups across the project. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Organic BC is a key organization supporting the organic agriculture sector in British Columbia, representing over 600 organic producers—11% of Canada’s total. The organization focuses on sector advocacy, education, certification, and building networks across the province. As a community partner in the Ag4C project, Organic BC brings deep connections to local producers and supports stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange, and regional relevance in the Canadian case study.
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The BC Agricultural Climate Adaptation Research Network (BC ACARN)
The BC Agricultural Climate Adaptation Research Network (BC ACARN) is a provincial network that fosters collaboration among researchers, government agencies, and producers to develop and share climate-resilient solutions for agriculture in British Columbia. With a focus on applied, research-backed strategies, BC ACARN plays a vital role in bridging science and practice. As a community partner in the Ag4C project, BC ACARN supports the co-development of communication materials, connects the project with broader climate adaptation efforts in the region, and helps ensure findings are actionable and transmitted to farmers and policymakers.​
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BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food is the provincial government body responsible for supporting sustainable agriculture, strengthening local food systems, and enhancing the resilience of B.C.'s farming communities. Through policy, programs, and partnerships, the Ministry works to support producers and protect agricultural resources. As a community partner in the Ag4C project, the Ministry brings institutional insight and supports knowledge exchange between government, researchers, and producers to advance climate-resilient agriculture in British Columbia.
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Dr. Hannah Wittman
Nominated Principal Investigator
Professor, Faculty of Land and Food Systems & Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia
Contact: hannah.wittman@ubc.ca ​
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Dr. Sean Smukler
Co-Investigator
Associate Professor, Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes Lab, Applied Biology & Soil Science; Director, Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm, University of British Columbia
Contact: sean.smukler@ubc.ca ​​​
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Carolina Diaz
Agroecology for Climate Resilience Research Coordinator
Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm, University of British Columbia
Contact: carolina.diaz@ubc.ca ​​​​​
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Evan Eskilson
PhD Student
Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia
Contact: eskilson.evan@gmail.com
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Valerie Zimmermann
MSc Student
Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia
Contact: vzimm1@student.ubc.ca
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Isabela Tsutiya Andrade
PhD Student
Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia
Contact: isa.t.andrade@gmail.com
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Eva-Lena Lang
Community Partner
Executive Director, Organic BC
Contact: elang@organicbc.org ​​​
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Dr. Chris Bodner
Community Partner
Professor, Department of Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley; Manager, Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-op
Contact: Chris.Bodnar@ufv.ca ​ ​​​​
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Love‑Ese  Chile (PhD)
Community Partner
Research Manager, BC Agricultural Climate Action Research Network, University of British Columbia
Contact: lechile@bcacarn.ca​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Ian McLachlan
Community Partner
Manager, Climate Action Strategic Climate Initiatives Branch, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Contact: Ian.McLachlan@gov.bc.ca
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CANADA
INDIA
GERMANY
The University of Hohenheim (UoH), founded in 1818 in response to a devastating famine, is Germany’s oldest university in Stuttgart and a leading institution in agricultural research and food sciences. Known for its interdisciplinary approach and global partnerships, UoH brings deep expertise in agroecology, sustainability, and rural development. As the academic partner for the Germany case study in the Ag4C project, UoH leads fieldwork in Brandenburg, supports cross-country research coordination, and contributes to both social science and natural science working groups.
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Dr. Verena Seufert
Co-Principal Investigator
Junior Professor, Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, Institute of Social Sciences in Agriculture, University of Hohenheim
Contact: verena.seufert@uni-hohenheim.de
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Anne Elise Stratton
Trainee Co-Principal Investigator, Postdoctoral Researcher
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, Institute of Social Sciences in Agriculture, University of Hohenheim ; University of Massachusetts Amherst
Contact: aestratton@umass.edu
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Haani T
PhD Student
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, Institute of Social Sciences in Agriculture, University of Hohenheim
Contact: haani.haani@uni-hohenheim.de ​​​​​​​
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Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF)
The Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) is a leading German research institute focused on developing sustainable, landscape-based agricultural systems that address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security. ZALF integrates interdisciplinary approaches to design cropping systems that are both productive and ecologically responsible. As a community partner in the Ag4C project, ZALF contributes scientific expertise to the Germany case study, particularly in agroecological systems analysis and the natural science working group.
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Dr. Maria Lee Kernecker
Co-Principal Investigator
Scientist, Agricultural Landscape Systems Germany, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research
Contact: Maria.Kernecker@zalf.de
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Julia Fritzsche
PhD Student
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, Institute of Social Sciences in Agriculture, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research
Contact: julia.fritzsche@zalf.de
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Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft (AbL)
Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft (AbL) is a grassroots network of conventional and organic farmers in Germany that advocates for socially just and environmentally sustainable agriculture. The organization engages in political advocacy, policy analysis, and public education to support a fair agricultural system. As a community partner in the Ag4C project, AbL plays a key role in linking research with farmer-led movements, supporting fieldwork in Brandenburg, and contributing to the exploration of agroecological transitions in the German context. ​​
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Julia Bar-Tal
Community Partner
Community Leader, Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft
Contact: bar-tal@abl-ev.de
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CANADA
INDIA
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Kerala Agricultural University (KAU)
Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), established in 1971 and based in Thrissur, is a premier institution for agricultural education, research, and extension in India. Accredited with an A++ grade by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and recognized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, KAU plays a critical role in advancing agroecological science in the region. As the academic partner for the India case study in the Ag4C project, KAU facilitates fieldwork, data collection, and collaboration with farmer networks in Kerala’s diverse agroecological zones. ​​​
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Dr. Archana Sathyan
Co-Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Kerala Agricultural University
Contact: archana.rs@kau.in
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Kerala Jaiva Kashaka Samithi (KJKS)
Kerala Jaiva Kashaka Samithi (KJKS) is a Kerala organic farmers' association dedicated to promoting organic farming practices and advocating for sustainable agriculture practices. The association supports farmers in transitioning away from chemical-intensive methods by providing training, resources, and a platform for knowledge exchange. As a community partner in the Ag4C project, KJKS connects researchers with grassroots farming communities, supports and facilitates fieldwork, and plays a key role in grounding the research in lived farmer experiences across Kerala.
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Illiyas Kattayattu Parambu
Community Partner
President, Organic Farming Association of India
Contact: illiyaskjks@gmail.com
Vishalakshan C.
Community Partner
President, Kerala Jaiva Kashaka Samithi (KJKS)
Contact: cvisalakshan@gmail.com
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