Faith Clarke: Focused on agriculture and food Safety

Faith Clarke

By Dorothy Inman-Johnson
Special to the Outlook

Faith Clarke is now a Tallahassee resident, but was born and grew up in Jamaica. Tallahassee became home when she transferred here as a junior agribusiness student from the College of Agriculture in Jamaica to the Florida A & M University’s (FAMU) College of Engineering Sciences, Technology, and Agriculture, now the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences. She has plenty of family support since her mother, sister and nephew have, also, relocated to Tallahassee.

 
Clarke received both her bachelor and master’s degrees from FAMU in Agricultural Science, with a minor in Environmental Sciences. She is the founder of the Agricultural and Environmental Development Institute. For over 20 years, she has developed and delivered educational experiences, conducted research, and spearheaded youth leadership programs. In addition, she has implemented federal programs in agriculture, food safety and environmental management. She is a leader in her profession as the Chair of the Florida Chapter of the National Women in Agriculture Association (NWIAA) and a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Advisory Council.
Clarke has been an active volunteer, giving back to her adopted hometown. Her most recent community service includes Chair of the Florida Chapter of the National Women in Agriculture Association, Chair of the Caribbean American Heritage Council, member of the Board of Directors for the Council on Culture and Arts (COCA), and President of Club 25 Women of Tallahassee with an exclusive membership of the annual honorees from the Tallahassee Democrat’s “25 Women You Need To Know”. She is definitely no wall flower, as it is clear from the leadership positions she holds in almost every organization with which she is associated. She also found time to be a Red Cross volunteer for several years.

 
Of her recognitions, she is proud to be one of the 2011 class of “25 Women You Need to Know” in Tallahassee, as well as being named Graduate Student of the Year for the FAMU’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences (formerly the College of Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, and Technology). With her years of outstanding professional and community service, it is surprising that there are not many more recognitions for her achievements. So the Capital Outlook Newspaper is pleased to add one more by naming Faith Clarke Person of the Week for Nov. 16 – 22, as one of Tallahassee’s very deserving unsung heroes.

 
Please send recommendations for future persons of the week to dotinman-johnson@hotmail.com.