Bailey joined the UCCE Santa Cruz team on July 3, 2023, and is relocating from Washington, DC to Santa Cruz. After graduating from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in political science and environmental policy, Bailey moved to Paraguay to serve as an agriculture volunteer with the Peace Corps. In Paraguay, Bailey worked closely with agricultural educators and local producers to develop education plans and lessons to engage high school students in agricultural coursework.
After returning to the United States, Bailey worked for USDA SNAP (food stamp program) where she gained experience in agriculture policy analysis and program management. Bailey is excited to get back in the field and support Santa Cruz County growers with climate smart agriculture practices and CDFA financial incentive programs. CDFA programs provide financial incentives to eligible farmers and ranchers implementing new practices that maximize water efficiency, build soil health, and improve manure management. She is ready to assist interested growers with grant applications, project planning, and implementation.
You can reach out to Bailey to learn more about climate smart agriculture practices and funding opportunities at bsmithhelman@ucanr.edu.