About

Amanda & Pot Bellied pig

Hi! I am a registered dietitian and farmer. I started my dietetic career 10 years ago and worked in various settings including community nutrition, private practice and clinical. During my studies and while in the field, I found such a big disconnect between agriculture and nutrition. For my graduate degree I studied sustainable food systems, and then my husband and I eventually moved to central Virginia and started our farm Olive Branch Gardens.

Olive Branch Gardens

  • Olive Branch Gardens is the farm that myself and my husband started in 2021. 
  • We sell seasonal vegetables and microgreens to our community in and around Charlottesville Virginia.
  • We cultivate on 1/2 acre and use organic methods that include cover crops, no spray, creating compost and growing benifical plants and flowers. 

Personal Tidbits

  • I am originally from New York (born and raised), but LOVE living in Central Virginia. I am here with my husband, daughter, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 pet pot bellied pigs and lots of chickens
  • When I am not spending time with my family or on the farm, I love to go on long hikes (though that has been more challenging since my daughter, so now we go on fun strolls), or read. My favorite genre is historical fiction. 
  • My favorite things to eat include vegetable pizza, chocolate chip cookies and good local beer

Professional Accomplishments

  • Bachelor of Science in dietetics from Long Island University
  • Masters of Science in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College
  • Author: of Kitchen Confidence: Improve your Health, Save Money, Waste Less 
  • Created and Facilitated a webinar for The Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy titled: Environmental Nutrition: The role of the nutrition practitioner
  • Speaker at the Virginia Biological Farming Association Environmental Nutrition: Symbiotic Relationship between our Diets and Planetary Health