Kelly Benoit is a data analyst at the Swette Center and a recent graduate from the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability. There she received her MS in Ecosystem Science and Management with a focus on Agroecology. For the past two years Kelly has proudly worked with ranchers in Southeast Michigan to research the ecological effects of intensive rotational grazing on pastures. Kelly’s love for working in agriculture came from the countless farmers and researchers she has met over the years of her travels as a student and farmhand. They have opened her eyes to the mutually beneficial effect that both new and traditional practices can have on our ecosystems and communities. Through her work at the Swette Center, Kelly continues her passion for food sovereignty, traditional diversified farming systems, and supporting local communities. In her free time, Kelly enjoys reading, hiking, and experimenting in the kitchen (including continuing her quest to make the perfect loaf of bread).