An aspiring agricultural business expert, a farmer, a food security manager, a diversity leader: this may sound like we’re describing multiple people, but they are individual resume highlights for super student Ashley Fennell, whose passion and rich portfolio have driven her to create inspiring change in her community.
During her time at UMD as a student in the college’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, she has grown food at Terp Farm (a partnership between AGNR and Dining Services in Upper Marlboro, Md) through an Institute of Applied Agriculture internship, been elected the chapter president and Region I Undergraduate Vice President for the student group, Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), and served as a student manager at the Campus Pantry.
Despite all of her accolades including winning a national award through MANRRS, Fennell has made a big impact locally through her work at the Campus Pantry. At UMD, approximately 20 percent of students lack reliable access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food. The pantry provides community members experiencing food insecurity the opportunity to pick up healthy food in a safe and confidential manner through donation collections led by Dining Services.
“Ashley began her journey with the Green Dining program at Terp Farm and working as a student staff member for the pantry,” said Larry Tumlin, Green Dining Chef/Manager. “During her time at the pantry, she has expanded her role thanks to her eagerness and dedication.”
At the pantry, Fennell works with other student workers to ensure that food donations are properly sorted and stocked and that the needs of clients are being met. The group also hosts events like workshops in the teaching kitchen and dialogues where students reflect and explore social issues related to community service.
“I started working at the pantry in fall 2021, after becoming aware of it through the food donations we provided at Terp Farm,” said Fennell. “Since moving into our current space at South Campus Dining Hall, we have more than doubled our numbers. I think it's a really great thing to have on our campus to provide free food to students in need and I think our work is really impactful.”
Fennell plans to continue making an impact in the agriculture world post-graduation as she hopes to work for the United States Department of Agriculture to help contribute to the sales and distribution of small farmers’ products.
“I feel Ashley will be a success in anything she puts her mind to,” said Tumlin. “She has the drive and focus to achieve anything she wants.”
by Andrew Muir