Kali Ransom
Chicopee,MA
Summary
Community-based land justice and food systems coordinator with 10+ years of experience supporting BIPOC farmers, partnerships, and gatherings in Western Massachusetts. Highly organized and relational, with strong skills in coordination, communication, and documentation.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Production Team Member
Alkemia
Amherst, USA
02.2023 - Current
- Work within a production environment, emphasizing efficiency, quality control, and team coordination.
- Support the onboarding and training of new staff in fast-paced operational settings.
Digital Marketing Strategist
Independent Contractor
Remote, MA
07.2020 - 12.2025
- Advised small businesses and mission-driven organizations on branding, customer engagement, and sales-oriented marketing strategies.
- Conducted market and audience analysis to inform pricing, product positioning, and outreach strategies.
- Developed practical, client-facing tools (websites, messaging, campaigns) to increase visibility and revenue opportunities.
FoodCorps Massachusetts Program Coordinator
FoodCorps
Remote
01.2020 - 08.2022
- Served as primary point of contact for stakeholders, delivering tailored program support and coordinating services across schools, farms, and partner organizations to enhance program effectiveness.
- Managed onboarding, training, and ongoing support for 20+ program participants, including documentation, compliance tracking, grant compliance, and performance monitoring
- Coordinated with external partners to deliver food- and farm-based programming, ensuring alignment with grant requirements and community needs
- Monitored program metrics, deliverables, and reporting requirements to ensure grant compliance and facilitate program improvement.
- Supported farm and food partners by increasing visibility of their programs through outreach, communications, and community engagement initiatives
Communications Specialist, Short Term Contract
Farm-Based Education Network
Shelburne, USA
07.2020 - 02.2021
- Developed communication assets highlighting farmer education programs and community impact.
- Coordinated workshops, virtual events, and partner communications across diverse stakeholders.
- Partnered with farms and farm-based organizations to strengthen outreach, storytelling, and public-facing materials.
Interim FoodCorps Supervisor
Springfield Public Schools Food Service Department
Springfield, USA
07.2020 - 12.2020
- Promoted meal service with social media posts, videos, and FoodCorps programming at meal sites, increasing community engagement.
- Liaised with stakeholders and team members to improve program satisfaction and ensure compliance with requirements.
- Assisted in selection and onboarding of service members, co-creating orientation schedule and trainings for effective integration.
AmeriCorps Service Member
FoodCorps
Springfield, USA
08.2018 - 07.2020
- Secured multiple grants to build school garden programs and cafeteria environment optimizations, enhancing student engagement and nutrition.
- Planned and executed educational, food-based lessons, school clubs, all-school events, and cafeteria programs to enrich student learning and foster community involvement.
- Tracked impact and monitored service requirements while sharing successes through media partnerships, increasing community awareness, and support.
- Managed program materials, tracked service data, expenses and supported reporting requirements
Seasonal Farm Hand- Crop & Dairy Operations
Various
Various Farms, Northeast U.S. | Summers 2014–2017, MA, VT, MI
05.2014 - 08.2017
- Executed daily operations on small-scale, diversified vegetable and dairy farms, including planting, harvesting, animal care, and post-harvest handling, ensuring smooth workflow.
- Assisted with farmers' market preparation and direct-to-consumer sales activities, gaining a hands-on understanding of product presentation, pricing, and customer interaction.
- Contributed to farm efficiency through coordinated fieldwork, adherence to production schedules, and collaborative problem-solving in variable conditions.
- Developed a ground-level understanding of the labor, seasonal constraints, and financial pressures facing small and mid-sized farms.
Education
Master of Science - Sustainable Food Systems
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ05-2027
Workshop - Strategic Storytelling For Social Change
Touch The Sky Foundation
12-2020
Bachelor of Arts - Afro-American Studies and Sustainable Community Development
Hampshire College
Amherst, MA05.2019
Skills
- Farm & Food Systems: Producer engagement, farm-based education, school & community gardens, regional food systems
- Business & Program Support: Client intake & support, program coordination, partner management, budget & expense tracking, grant compliance
- Sales, Marketing & Analysis: Branding & sales strategy, market & audience analysis, customer engagement, communications
- Tools: Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, Asana, database & document tracking systems
Volunteer Experience
- Valley Housing Co-op, Co-Founder and Fundraising Campaign Manager 2020-present
- Farm-based Education Network, Board Member 2021-present
- Save Soil Movement, Social Media Volunteer Jan 2023-Present
- Volunteer for various agriculture and social justice organizations including Help Yourself Edible Garden Project, Gardening the Community, Seeds of Solidarity, Helping Hands, Springfield No One Leaves and LUCE immigrant Justice Network of Western MA April 2012-present
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Limited
Websites
Timeline
Production Team Member
Alkemia
02.2023 - Current
Digital Marketing Strategist
Independent Contractor
07.2020 - 12.2025
Communications Specialist, Short Term Contract
Farm-Based Education Network
07.2020 - 02.2021
Interim FoodCorps Supervisor
Springfield Public Schools Food Service Department
07.2020 - 12.2020
FoodCorps Massachusetts Program Coordinator
FoodCorps
01.2020 - 08.2022
AmeriCorps Service Member
FoodCorps
08.2018 - 07.2020
Seasonal Farm Hand- Crop & Dairy Operations
Various
05.2014 - 08.2017
Master of Science - Sustainable Food Systems
Arizona State University
Workshop - Strategic Storytelling For Social Change
Touch The Sky Foundation
Bachelor of Arts - Afro-American Studies and Sustainable Community Development
Hampshire College