Michelle Jacokes
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Michelle Jacokes is the Produce Safety Technician with the Manistee Conservation District, covering Manistee, Benzie, Leelanau, Grand Traverse and Antrim Counties. Michelle will deliver assistance, and resources to area farmers who are to become compliant with The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule. Her services are free, voluntary and completely confidential.
She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Industry Management from Michigan State University in December of 2015, with a minor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. Following graduation, she traveled to Western Massachusetts to work as a Harvest Crew Leader on a biodiverse farm in the pioneer valley. After living in MA for a year she headed ‘home’ and traveled to Northern Michigan to serve as a Huron Pines AmeriCorps member for two terms with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, focusing on stewardship initiatives and on the ground action of protecting natural resources. One project Michelle was humbled to have been involved with was partnering to develop, and lead a program at Maple Bay Farm with a local camp to get them out into the volunteer garden. Here campers were able to engage in learning, and putting into practice different regenerative agricultural practices. Michelle is excited to deepen her connection to agriculture, and provide service that involves ensuring food and farming safety. While her passion for natural resources started in regenerative agriculture, it has since broadened to learning, promoting, and strengthening conservation initiatives across many different facets. She is looking forward to continuing connecting with the different facets of agriculture, as well as expanding services to promote safe produce in a five-county area. Michelle enjoys farming, hiking, yoga, skiing, being creative in the kitchen, and of course exploring the great outdoors. To find out more about her services visit our partners site: https://www.manisteecd2.org/produce-safety.html |
