My name is Sydney Barnett and it is my pleasure to introduce myself as the current Sustainability Coordinator at Pine Mountain Settlement School. I graduated this past spring from Bryant University, in Smithfield, RI with a B.S. in Environmental Science, accompanied by minors in Business Administration and Environmental Studies. Prior to pursuing my undergraduate degree, I grew up on my family’s small farm in southeastern Pennsylvania, where my connection to the land and to food first began. From harvesting honey to sharing a meal made with freshly picked produce, I am grateful for my childhood experiences, through which I grew a deep appreciation for the power of local food systems. 

I believe that meaningful work takes root at the intersection of people, place, and culture, an ideal that is displayed especially in eastern Kentucky, where  I have become drawn to the way agriculture invites values of resilience and joy. Whether planting seeds or sharing stories, I view each moment as an opportunity to connect more deeply with the land and one another. Though I’m new to the area, I’m already deeply inspired by the work being done here and by the people who make this region what it is. I’m excited to grow alongside our participants, support food systems, and contribute to a tradition rooted in stewardship, cultural richness, and shared learning through my role as the Grow Appalachia Associate.