UConn extension educator Jennifer “Jiff” Martin was one of a dozen individuals from across the country honored on October 26 as White House Champions of Change for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Agriculture.

The 12 were selected by the White House for their achievements and were saluted for exemplary leadership and innovation in agricultural production and education.

Martin is the sustainable food system associate educator for UConn Extension, which is part of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. She has worked for more than 12 years on food and agriculture issues in Connecticut, helping residents discover local agriculture, connecting kids to healthy, whole foods, and researching community food security in Connecticut’s 169 towns.

Her recent work includes leading a team of Extension Educators to assist new farmers in production and farmland management; directing two AmeriCorps service learning programs; and educating consumers through BuyCTGrown.com’s ‘10% Campaign,’ under which residents and businesses are asked to pledge 10 percent of their food and gardening budget to locally-grown products. She was previously state director for the American Farmland Trust and food policy director at Hartford Food System.

The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White House to feature individuals who are doing extraordinary things to inspire and empower members of their communities.

The event, featuring remarks by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, can be viewed  here.