Faculty and Staff
Vincent M. Smith, Ph.D.
Farm Director
Vincent M. Smith is the Dean of the School of Science and Business. He previously served as Chair of the Environmental Science & Policy Department and held a joint teaching appointment specializing in sustainable food systems, agroecology, and environmental sociology. He earned his BA in plant ecology from Truman State University, his MS in environmental science from Oregon State University, and his PhD in interdisciplinary environmental studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He additionally serves as the Director of the SOU Institute for Applied Sustainability and is the Director of The Farm at SOU. Dr. Smith also represents Southern Oregon University as a member of the Rogue Valley Food System Council, as a board member of the Rogue Basin Partnership, as a board member of Rusted Gate Farm, and serves on the environmental affairs committee of Mt. Ashland Ski Area. He lives in Ashland with his wife and three children where he enjoys exploring the beauty of Southern Oregon.
Zhu Parker
Farm Manager
Zhu Parker has a undergrad degree in Environmental Science and Policy with a Sustainability Leadership Certification from Southern Oregon University. After graduating, she worked as a Garden Educator for Elementary School kids and Managed a Native Plant Nursery.
While working in various outdoor education jobs, teaching and learning about Organic Agriculture has been her favorite. “Farming is just a microcosm of the world. The way we tend to the land and interact with other people is just a reflection of the world we want to live in”.
In her free time, Zhu enjoys learning about Native plants and ways they support pollinators, restore habitat, and its resilience to climate change
Joy McEwen
Beekeeper & Research Specialist
Joy McEwen manages Diggin’ Livin’ Farm & Apiaries, a homestead, organic farm, and commercial beekeeping operation. She holds two Bachelor of Science degrees and a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Oregon State University. In addition to her role at Diggin’ Livin’, Joy is the Apiary Manager and Researcher at Southern Oregon University. When she started, the university had three hives, and this summer, she expanded the program to seven hives. The university also hosts twelve Diggin’ Livin’ Farm & Apiaries bee colonies as part of a regenerative apiculture research project, where they collect soil samples to assess the impact of honey bee colonies on soil quality, quantity, and vitality. They are collaborating with the SOU Media Center to document the visual changes in vegetation resulting from these colonies.
When she isn’t tending hives or farming, Joy works as an apitherapist in Southern Oregon and produces a line of jun beverages called Honey Bee Brews. She is a committee member on the USDA Farm Service Agency board for Josephine and Jackson Counties, Oregon, and serves as a board member for the American Apitherapy Society.
Student Farmers
Tori Gross
Farm Operations Manager
“Working at the farm has really helped me in my personal and professional development. I love being able to develop my skills in a supportive learning environment.”
“I love the community at the farm, we have a great team and it is really lovely to work alongside friends who also are interested in helping to improve our local food system. I’m also a big fan of the figs and strawberries at the farm, fresh fruit is always so much better than store-bought.”
Senior/Post-baccalaureate
Studying Sustainability, BS
Certificates:
Sustainability Leadership Certificate
Sustainable Food Systems Microcredential
Isabel Timbrook
Farm Production Supervisor
“Working at the farm has taught me a lot about the life cycles of our food, and how different practices can change the outcomes of the food we produce.”
“One of my favorite things about working at the farm is the friends and community that have come out of it!
Also being able to enjoy fresh produce, seeing our community enjoy it, and having seen its entire life cycle is super gratifying and delicious!”
Junior
Studying Sustainability, BS
Certificates:
Geospatial Science Certificate
Sustainability Leadership Certificate
Sustainable Food Systems Microcredential
Noah Hamilton
Farmer
“Working on the farm and learning from some amazing mentors have taught me a lot about sustainable farming practices and how to implement them to produce food that grows well in the Southern Oregon region. I have also gained a new appreciation for the time, effort, and resources that go into growing food.”
“I really value learning from and alongside my coworkers and friends at the farm; we have an amazing group of people and it makes working really enjoyable! I also appreciate the fresh produce– you can really taste the difference between what we grow and what you find at the store.”
Senior
Studying Environmental Science & Policy
Certificates:
Geospatial Science Certificate
Sustainable Food Systems Microcredential
Olivia Eidlhuber
Compost Specialist
“Through my experience of the farm I have learned a lot about our food cycle and has really taught me how to grow my own food in the most sustainable ways possible. Working at the farm has helped me narrow down what I want to do in my career.”
“I really enjoy working with my coworkers and being involved with the community. I also really enjoy learning more about trying to close our food circle, reducing waste as I go. I work a lot with the compost and this has helped understand just what goes on with the discarded food we don’t use or eat. This job also makes me feel super connected to my food systems and I really enjoy knowing where my food comes from and how much work it takes to grow our food.”
Junior
Studying Environmental Science & Policy
Certificates:
Sustainability Leadership
Essence of Wine
Sustainable Food Systems Microcredential
Andrea Osbon
Food Forest Specialist
“Working on the farm has allowed me to understand the interaction and necessity of all the plants in the Food Forest. While I have previous experience in orchard work the Food Forest on the farm tries to incorporate many plants to work in harmony with each other. This allows me to learn about not only the trees in the orchard but any other plants that we want to cultivate in the area.”
“My favorite part about working on the farm is the random moments that come with it. I have had some amazing experiences with wildlife and coworkers that would never happen otherwise. Experiences such as finding new bugs to navigating a barking fox with kits this summer. While I work alone often every now and then I get to eat lunch or do random tasks with my coworkers which is always enjoyable.”
Senior
Studying Environmental Science & Policy
Minor:
Mathametics
Certificate:
Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
Analisa Tombrello
Farmer
“Working on The Farm has greatly expanded my knowledge of growing food. I have learned how large scale farming differs from growing a home garden, and how that understanding can be used in both places.”
“Everyone working at The Farm has a passion for the work we do. This brings us together to complete the tasks and find enjoyment even when the work is difficult. It is a place of learning and practical application of the skills we gain. Being connected to the food we eat and bring to the community makes this job special and unique.”
Junior
Studying Environmental Science & Policy
Minor:
Art
Certificate:
Sustainable Food Systems Microcredential
Student Farm Jobs
Graduate Assistant Position:
Business Operations Manager: Oversees the business operations that occur on-site with the SOU community, the region, and community partners.
Other Student Positions
Farm Productions Manager: Leads the farm team to manage and ensure the productivity of the organic, market farm.
Farm Operations Manager: Works closely with all members of the farm team to ensure smooth and efficient farm operations.
Volunteer and Projects Coordinator: Works with SOU classes and clubs, manages work parties and recruitment, coordinates events, works with SOU student capstones & internships on the farm and manages the volunteers including students and community members.
Outreach Coordinator: Responsible for managing communications activities and social media for building internal and external relations within SOU and community.
Farmer: Assists the Farm at SOU in growing abundant delicious food for our community. By working hard, they learn about plants, planting row crops and flower propagation, weeding, harvesting, and other farm-related items.
Other Positions: Volunteers, Work/Study, Beekeeper, & Post Harvest Production.
All undergraduate student positions include getting their hands dirty working on the Farm.
Need to contact us?
Have questions about employment, events, or anything else related to the farm? Contact us at thefarm@sou.edu or 541-552-6487