Jessica Shade

Dr. Jessica Shade is a National Program Leader at USDA NIFA, in the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability, Division of Plant Systems – Production. In this role, she directs programs helping food and agriculture stakeholders overcome large-scale challenges. Prior to her role at NIFA, Dr. Shade served as the Director of Science Programs for the Organic Center, where she led diverse research programs ranging from applied solutions for on-farm challenges to methods for improving environmental impacts of agricultural systems. She is an Associate Editor for the scientific journal, Organic Agriculture, served as an Advisory Council member for the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research’s Next Generation Crops Challenge Area, was elected as a Board Member for the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research, was honored by the Audubon Women in Conservation through their Women Greening Food Special Recognition, and is a Switzer Environmental Fellow. She received her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.