The District is excited to welcome Aaron Gibson, our newest Harvest Pierce County team member. Aaron joins us as an AmeriCorps service member and will be helping with Veggie Co-op, the Gleaning Project, and much more to help achieve our goals around urban agriculture and equitable food access.

Aaron is seen here hiking in Yellowstone National Park during the summer of 2017.

"I am very excited to be working with the Pierce Conservation District and Harvest Pierce County," he said. "I look forward to exploring the role of urban agriculture and equitable food access in creating a sustainable foodshed, and to promoting food sovereignty and security in Pierce County. In my role, I will be helping to facilitate the Gleaning Project by working with homeowners and volunteers to harvest unused fruit and donating it to local food banks. I will also be assisting with the Veggie Coop a farming education program."

Aaron recently graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. While at Southern Oregon University, his emphasis was on sustainable agriculture and community development. He was the Director of Farm Production on the University's five-acre production and educational farm. At the farm, he managed all aspects of the vegetable and fruit production in the farm's third year of development.

In addition, for his capstone thesis project he worked collaboratively with the Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District and Bureau of Land Management on a feasibility study to enhance Southern Oregon landowner’s ability to adapt to climate change. The study analyzed various agricultural and forestry land management techniques to increase water infiltration into the soil. The intent was to provide landowners and government agencies quantifiable research, technical assistance, and tools to store and recharge groundwater reservoirs. 

Aaron's interests are at the confluence of sustainable agriculture, resilient and place-based communities and economies, and the conservation of natural landscapes. He has passionately pursued his interest in sustainable agriculture and attempted to first-hand participate in some of its many expressions. In the past, he has worked on a variety of organic farms including a family owned and operated meat and dairy ranch, a small-scale diversified vegetable farm, a non-profit animal farm sanctuary, and a student led university farm.