Andy Pressman
Sustainable Agriculture Program Director
Topic Areas:
Business Planning and Marketing, Crops, Organic Crops, Organic Processing, Farm Energy, Food Equity, Livestock, Local Foods, Pest Management, Policy, Soil Health
Specific Areas of Expertise:
Whole-farm and business planning, soil health, vegetable production, farm tools and equipment, organic crop certification, urban agriculture, community food systems
After several years of working on and managing diversified farms throughout the country, Andy joined the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) in 2007. After college graduation, Andy followed his interest in agriculture by growing and harvesting medicinal herbs. His passion for soils and plants quickly directed him in to growing fruits and vegetables and in developing a passion for agrarian philosophies and land stewardship. In recognizing the importance animals have in agricultural systems, he then immersed himself in learning animal husbandry—from bees, chickens, and rabbits, to sheep, goats, and cattle. Andy is certified in Permaculture Design and received an MS in Sustainable Systems Design from Slippery Rock University – a unique program that focused on the integration of agroecology, sustainable energy and design, and natural resource management. As a Sustainable Agriculture Specialist with NCAT, Andy works in the fields of whole-farm planning, intensive crop production, organic certification, tools and equipment for the small farm, urban agriculture, and community food systems. He and his family also operate Foggy Hill Farm, a small farm and CSA located in southern New Hampshire where he continues to keep bees and pursue his interest in appropriate technologies for managing small farms.
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geography, Ohio University
Master of Science in Sustainable Systems Design, Argroecology track, Slippery Rock University
Certificates:
HMI Whole-Farm Planning, Produce Safety Alliance Food Safety Trainer Certificate, UVM Ground Work Tractor Skills and Farm Mechanization, IOIA Organic Processing Inspector Training, Grow Biointensive, Farm Energy Audit Training, SPIN-Farming Trainer Certificate, IOIA Organic Crop Inspector Training, Permaculture Design Certificate
Other Experience:
Farm Owner/Operator, January 2013 – Present
Foggy Hill Farm, Jaffrey, NH
Co-manages a diversified family farm with sales through direct and intermediated market channels.
Current Professional Affiliations and Committees:
Board Chair, Cheshire County Conservation District
Member, Northeast Organic Farming Association
Featured Publications and Presentations:
The Challenges of Our Times: Climate Change, COVID, and Organic Farm Viability. January 14, 2021. Minnesota Organic Conference. Virtual.
Pressman, Andy, Thea Rittenhouse, Rebecca Lemos-Otero, Amy Smith, and Willa Pohlman. 2019. Greenhouse Manual: An Introductory Guide for Educators. NCAT and USBG Publication. Washington, D.C.: United States Botanic Garden.
Pressman, Andy. December 2018/January 2019. Managing Farm Tools and Equipment in Organic Production. Organic Farmer. Vol 1, Issue 4.
Dimitri, C. L. Oberholtzer, A. Pressman, and R. Welsh. February 2019. Supporting Local and Regional Food Systems through Intermediated Markets. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems Journal. New York, NY. Vol. 34, Issue 3.
Armed to Farm 2.0 Training for Military Veterans. February 25 – March 1, 2019. Fayetteville, AR