Melony Edwards

Melony Edwards, a devoted agriculturist, brings a wealth of experience to her position as a Senior Program Associate with the Wallace Center at Winrock International. In this capacity, Melony spearheads transformative initiatives within the Food Systems Leadership Network (FSLN) team, dedicating herself to fostering just and equitable food systems. Her contributions encompass the development, implementation, and administration of FSLN programs, emphasizing implementation advocacy, federal resource mobilization, and enhancing ‘farm to food assistance’ value chains.Before joining the Wallace Center, Melony was engaged with the Organic Seed Alliance, where she concentrated on building relationships with BIPOC farmers interested in expanding their capacity to grow culturally significant seeds. Her efforts aimed to foster a stronger community of farmers dedicated to stewarding open-pollinated seeds, particularly those within the African diaspora. During her tenure, she conducted field culinary vegetable trials, including with the Heirloom Collard Project, to promote the cultivation and consumption of collards that have sustained descendants of Africa for decades.

Prior to those roles, Melony honed her skills as a farmer at Willowood Farm of Ebey’s Prairie, a 20-acre diversified vegetable farm. Starting as an intern, she worked her way up to farm manager within three years. Willowood Farm produced vegetables sold to chefs in the greater Seattle area. This hands-on experience served as the cornerstone of her agricultural journey, providing invaluable insights into sustainable farming practices and a profound understanding of the intricacies of agricultural operations.

Academically, Melony holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and restaurant management from Johnson & Wales University, as well as a culinary arts degree from Le Cordon Bleu.


In addition to her professional and academic endeavors, Melony is actively involved in volunteer work and community involvement. She served as the Vice Board Chair for the National Young Farmers Coalition for four years, advocating passionately for the future of agriculture on a national scale. As a dedicated Board Member, Edwards played a pivotal role in uniting young farmers and ranchers nationwide, striving to ensure a sustainable future for American agriculture. She actively engaged with policymakers to address critical barriers facing young people in farming. Continuing her farming endeavors, she launched Ebony By Nature, a textile art farm specializing in plant- based dye materials, cellulose, and protein fibers, while expanding her expertise in seed growing and saving.

Melony is honored to be featured in various books, notably in “We Are Each Other’s Harvest” by Natalie Baszile, where she is highlighted in chapter 24, titled “Four Days in Alaska Farm School.” Additionally, she has been featured on influential food writers’ podcasts, such as “Food with Mark Bittman”, on his episode titled “Black Farmers and the Way Forward”.

 

Looking forward, Melony is eager to leverage her diverse skill set and experiences to maximize her impact as a participant in the NUF Fellowship program. She is excited to better understand and navigate policymaking, expand her network, and acquire new tools and strategies to drive meaningful change within her mission of advancing sustainable food systems and beyond.