Jimmy Purvis

Jimmy graduated from Wesleyan University in 2004 with a degree in Religious Studies.  He worked as a crew leader at the Marin Conservation Corps, facilitating a crew of eight environmental educators, developing training opportunities, and coordinating AmeriCorps national service days.  Jimmy has a sustained interest in agriculture and nutrition; he has served as a gardening and nutrition educator in elementary and middle schools, began an all organic farm stand in a Marin County neighborhood with no grocery store, helped to start an organic farm at Wesleyan, and conducted research in Nepal about the relationship between Himalayan Buddhism and agriculture.

Field placement: Farm to Table

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Jimmy worked to promote and expand Farm to School programming in New Mexico.  In partnership with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Jimmy assessed the viability of increased purchasing of local food by completing a survey of farmers and food service directors.  Jimmy also compiled case studies, white papers, and other resource materials for use in New Mexico.

Policy placement: Migrant Legal Action Program

Washington, D.C.

Jimmy assessed administrative barriers to increased participation in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program and WIC in migrant communities.  Jimmy conducted telephone interviews with local service providers throughout the U.S., and created white papers to inform other advocates about migrant issues.

Publications