As an independent consultant in international agriculture development and an intrepid traveler, I've been to 50 countries for work and pleasure (20 of which in Sub-Saharan Africa.) With my professional focus on agriculture and food systems, my personal interest lies in food culture and food history.

After +15 years in the Washington DC area, I moved to my 160 acre Oregon Coast forest property full-time 5 years ago. Living off-grid and close to nature is a wonderful balance to my analytical/knowledge-based work life. With 2 dogs, friendly neighbors, and my on-going experimentation with preparing various global cuisines, my mountain top stays busy.  

Raised on a farm, with a fairly close rural American family (West Coast based as well), I enjoy hands-on projects; this summer I felled trees around my greenhouse and built a new home office - myself!

The theological foundations of tawhid and fitra were pivotal for my conversion to Islam in 2000. I am still drawn more towards ihsan/tassawuf for personal and spiritual development. 

I could actually write a LOT more... about my sense of humor or my university years in Agricultural Economics and MBA or going on Umrah but look forward to speaking directly and learning more about you as well.