Written by Olivia Nygaard
A Year Worth Celebrating
As the academic year comes to a close, the Kaufman Lab came together to reflect on the milestones we’ve reached, the knowledge we’ve shared, and the community we’ve built. At our end-of-year celebration, we honored the incredible work of our team, shared laughter and future-plans, and recognized our graduating seniors as they prepare for exciting new chapters. It was a joyful reminder of how much we’ve accomplished—and how much we have to look forward to.
Honoring Our Graduating Seniors
We had 6 graduating seniors to recognize at the Kaufman Lab during our celebration!
Theresa Hunt
Theresa worked on our Marketing and Member Services Team and worked as an Intern. She is passionate about promoting food accessibility and strategic communications. Throughout her time here in the Kaufman Lab, Theresa has helped streamline our social media, write impactful blogs, interview member markets, and create a lasting impact for Farm2Facts. Her willingness and passion for this work will be missed!
Blanca Collins
Blanca was a part of our Marketing and Member Services Team and worked as an Intern. She is passionate about effective communicate to promote environmental awareness. While in the Kaufman Lab, she has played a key role in hearing the impacts of our member markets, using communication skills to broader Farm2Facts impact, and writing standard operating procedures in order to ensure consistency in the lab. We are so grateful for Blanca’s time with us!
Alan Zhong
Alan worked on our Software Development Team and worked as a Senior Software Developer. While being a member of the Kaufman Lab, Alan has been leveraging machine learning to advance the Farm2Facts mission. His abilities and successes haven’t gone unnoticed and we have been so grateful to have him on the team. Alan will continue to do great things and we wish him the best!
Stephen Kwas
Stephen was a part of our Research Team and worked as a Student Researcher. Throughout his time in the Kaufman Lab, he has been working with F2F to help pilot the Ecosystem Services Tool. He has brought a truly intellectual and inspiring perspective to the lab and everyone he has worked with. Stephen’s forward-thinking mindset has made a lasting impact; he will be greatly missed!
Meghan McGinley
Meghan worked on our Research Team as a Research Assistant. She has played a key role in growing Farm2Facts and has brought with her a passion and interest in food sustainability, urban planning, and community development. Her work ethic and innovative spirit has helped grow our impact immensely. We wish Meghan the best of luck in her future endeavors!
Madeline Vukovich
Maddie has been a part of our Research Team and has been working as a Research Assistant. She worked primarily on the Central Wisconsin LFPP grant and has shown a strong interest in learning more about accessibility and affordability in Wisconsin’s local and regional food systems. Her positive attitude and inquisitive ideas have been so valuable. We are grateful for Maddie’s time with us!
Celebrating Excellence
In the Kaufman Lab, we have a special award for a team member who exemplifies the notable and admirable qualities of our lab’s namesake, Jerry Kaufman. He left a lasting impression on the development of local and regional food systems around the world through his passion, drive, compassion, and unwavering commitment to community-based solutions. This award celebrates individuals who carry forward his legacy by demonstrating leadership, integrity, and a deep dedication to meaningful change. This years chosen recipient for the Kaufman Fellow award is Haley Traun.
Haley joined the lab in 2024. She has worked on both our Marketing & Member Services and Research Team as a Lead Marketing Program Assistant. She brought experience in community food systems and small business development, including work with AmeriCorps Farm to School, REAP Food Group, Rooted, and Neighborhood House Community Center to our team. She is passionate about food literacy access, data-driven community innovation, public policy, and inclusive design. She has devoted countless hours to the Southern Piedmont Climate Smart Project (previously supported by the USDA) and educating others about Farm2Facts and helping expand its reach and impact. Haley is a truly deserving recipient of this award, exemplifying the same dedication and commitment to community-centered work that defined Jerry Kaufman’s legacy.
Looking Ahead
As we wrap up another year of growth and collaboration, our lab is excited for what’s next. With new projects on the horizon, fresh ideas from team members old and new, and a continued commitment to community-based food systems, we’re eager to build on the momentum of this past year. Whether it’s expanding the reach of Farm2Facts, deepening our research, or fostering new partnerships, the Kaufman Lab remains dedicated to creating meaningful, measurable change in the food systems landscape.
We will deeply miss all of our graduating seniors and team members who are moving on to new opportunities. This year has brought unexpected changes, including loss of funding from a grant we had received from the USDA, which has impacted several of our valued Kaufman Lab team members: Lucas LoBreglio, Nathan Larson, Haley Traun, Eunbi Ko, and Liz Kohmenkov. While we’re saddened to see them go, we are immensely grateful for the dedication, expertise, and heart they brought to the lab. Their contributions have left a lasting impact, and we look forward to seeing the incredible work they’ll continue to do beyond the Kaufman Lab.
