Crafs TEAM

Lauren Gwin, Director, Center for Resilient Agriculture & Food Systems

Dr. Lauren Gwin directs the Center for Small Farms & Community Food Systems, is the Extension Community Food Systems Specialist, and is an associate professor in the Crop & Soil Science Department.  She provides leadership for a mosaic of programs and partnerships focused on sustainable and organic agricultural practices, and local and regional food systems. She also engages on these issues nationally: her extension and scholarship have shaped state and federal policy and practice, which has benefited many businesses and nonprofit organizations. She was a founding member of the Oregon Community Food Systems Network, serves on the Leadership Committee, and co-leads the Oregon Food Hub Network. She is co-PI, with Colorado State University, on the Northwest & Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center. She co-founded and is OSU’s lead on the Letitia Carson Legacy Project. Lauren’s PhD is in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, from the University of California at Berkeley.

Beamlak Gugssa, Administrative Assistant to the Director

Beamlak provides direct support to the Center Director while overseeing the center's administrative and financial operations. She holds degrees in Political Science and International Relations, and in Print Journalism, both from Addis Ababa University. She also completed an MSc in Sustainable Development at Uppsala University in Sweden.