Julie A. Cotton
Academic Specialist
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
Michigan State University
cottonj_at_msu.edu
A274 Plant & Soil Science Bldg
Education
M.S., Resource Ecology and Management, University of Michigan
B.S., Bioenvironmental Science, Texas A&M
Role in SAFS & EFFS
Julie joined the faculty of MSU crop and Soil Sciences in Fall 2008. She coordinated the curriculum design and implementation process for the Sustainable Agriculture and Food System (SAFS) undergraduate specialization and the Ecological Food and Farming Systems (EFFS) graduate specialization. She serves as the advisor to students enrolled in the SAFS and EFFS programs.
Teaching
CSS 124 Introduction to Sustainable Food and Farming
Coordinating Assistant for CSS 424, SAFS capstone, and CSS 698 EFFS Graduate Seminar
Research
Julie is interested in how human-mediated environmental changes and land management choices affect the biodiversity of a landscape. Her research focuses on applying conservation biology and agroecological principles in highly altered settings - urban areas. Julie designed and implemented a study of the plant and beetle diversity in Detroit remnant forests, community gardens, and vacant lots for her master’s work. You can read her thesis here.
Experience
Julie has had a variety of experiences that helped form her perspective on sustainable agriculture. She served as an Agriculture and Natural Resource intern in U.S. Congress during her undergraduate career, and joined Student Conservation Association – AmeriCorps after graduation. She then worked as a scientist for an international environmental consulting firm. Before starting her graduate education, she assisted with agroecological work in Chiapas, Mexico and coordinated a community gardening program at University of Michigan.
Other Interests
Julie worked in passive greenhouses and gardens, local restaurants, a plant pathology laboratory and a bike shop to pay her way through school. These experiences encouraged her love for gardening unique fresh vegetables, cooking seasonally, a clean house and tinkering on her bikes. She enjoys finding her place in new communities by exploring the local food, farms, businesses and parks. She has a dog and four nieces and nephews that she is happy to bragg about when given the chance.