Dr. Megan McGuffey is engaged in local food work across the state of Nebraska. She has served on the Nebraska Legislature’s Community Garden Task Force, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Food Policy Council, and the Local Foods Coordinating Council and Share Our Table in the Omaha-Council Bluffs region.

Megan earned her Master of Public Administration in 2013 and her Ph.D. in 2020 from the UNO School of Public Administration. Her research focuses on food and farm policy broadly and her dissertation looked at the role of food policy networks in the local government policy process. She has co-authored food assessments for regional and statewide food policy organizations.

Amy developed an appreciation for environmental advocacy during her undergraduate studies at Nebraska Wesleyan University. She realized her passion for sustainable agriculture while on AmeriCorps Volunteer assignment with the Community Crops Farm Program in 2012. She later transitioned to working with the Garden Program as Garden Technical Assistant. During her past experience with Crops, she helped produce vegetables for the CSA, organized and taught classes, and provided individual assistance to Community Gardeners. She holds a biology degree, and has been a gardener at 5 different Community Garden sites throughout Lincoln!

She is particularly interested in regenerative agriculture, ethnobotany, medicinal plants, and the role of community gardens in increasing food security and preserving agricultural traditions. Outside of gardening, she loves exploring wilderness with her cattle dog, Dixie, cooking with friends and family, and metal music.