I am a Turkish seed steward, small-scale seed grower, farmer, and public scholar who farmed for restoration and preservation of the seeds of Turkey (Türkiye) on our small farm in Tampa, Florida and Reedsville, West Virginia in the past. Our farm is a learning space and a gateway to exploring more than fifty crops for their cultural significance, culinary uses, climate adaptability and significance related to food justice and food security as well as a space in which I build relations with plants and their stewards.
In 2012, I initiated the Anatolian Seeds Recovery and Preservation (ANATOHUM) Project to create a seed database of Turkey. In 2013, I co-founded our seed company, Two Seeds in a Pod, with my wife, Dr. Amy Thompson.
I hold a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Michigan State University, previously served as a service assistant professor in Eberly College of Arts & Sciences at West Virginia University, and am currently the Director of Communications and Community Engagement at the Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Response (RIDER) Center positioned in FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.
