Volunteering at an orphanage in Haiti, Anne first witnessed the devastating effects of long-term extractive agricultural techniques on human and environmental health. In the town where she lived and worked, the soil had degraded so much that many of the people were starving. Since her time in Haiti, Anne has committed herself to a career in food and farm policy, working to change the way food is produced and dedicating herself to soil regeneration.
Matriculating at Duke University, Anne worked tirelessly as an undergraduate to support carbon-friendly farmers and improve the food procurement strategy of Duke Dining. She completed her senior thesis at the Duke Campus Farm, studying the positive impact of biochar on plant productivity, soil health and carbon sequestration.
Anne graduated from Duke in May 2015 with a degree in Environmental Science and Policy. Moving to Costa Rica, Anne completed a 10-month independent research project with a grant from the Hart Leadership Program. Studying the evolution of local, regional, national and globalized food systems, Anne became even more determined to combat climate change and human malnutrition through regenerative agriculture and reforestation.
Today, Anne lives in Malibu, California, where she works for an environmental nonprofit called Kiss the Ground to work to help both national and international brands and farmers invest in soil health, regenerative agriculture and climate change reversal. Volunteering for TreePeople.org and serving as the town’s elementary school’s gardening director, Anne stays active in local environmental politics and activism as well.
Outside of work, Anne enjoys running, kayaking, hiking, surfing, gardening and all number of other outdoor activities. No matter where she goes, Anne hopes to continue to engage in research, travel, advocacy work and environmental activism.
Hi Anne,
My name is Ruddy with Global Justice Ecology Project. Wally Menne of Timberwatch Coalition Project recommended that we reach out to you as he was very inspired by your blog post and readings. I am not sure if you are aware of the sad news, but shortly after he informed us of you, he passed away. https://globaljusticeecology.org/?s=wally
I am reaching out to you today to see what you are currently up to, and if you are familiar with GE trees and the work we do to stop them from being commercialized. If not, you can visit our websites at nogetrees.org and stopgetrees.org to know more. It seems like we have a lot of similar ideas in common, and could possibly collaborate on projects in the future. Hope this message finds you well.
Hi Ruddy!
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Wally–what a warrior for the planet and inspiration for all eco-activists. I’d love to chat more about the Global Justice Ecology Project. Can you shoot me an email at annie.katherine.martin@gmail.com? I have a few ideas, and would love to chat about ways we could collaborate. I’d be an honor to support the amazing work you’re doing.
All the best,
Anne Martin
Hi Anne,
Fantastic article. I just returned from Costa Rica to my now-home-state of Washington with a new cause: fighting the environmental destruction by the pineapple industry there. I don’t know if you have kept up with developments in CR, but the black howler monkeys near the plantations are now developing ever larger patches of yellow fur, with the leading suspect being sulfur-containing pesticides. I’ve just requested the full text of a newly published study on the topic. Recently, nearly all-yellow monkeys have been sighted. I saw a howler with a yellow patch on its tail while rafting on the Penas Blancas river.
My hope is that the shocking imagery of yellow “black” howler monkeys can stun the American public into greater awareness of the real implications of eating cheap, conventionally grown pineapple from Costa Rica (as well as other tropical fruits from Central America). Any pressure that changes agricultural practices for the better will naturally help the situation of the field workers as well.
Thanks again for the information and links.