Cinda Williams
Rural Roots University Partner
U of I Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator

Cinda Williams is the University of Idaho's Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator, and works on the Moscow campus in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS).  She has been working in sustainable agriculture at the college since 1994 and has served as the Western Region SARE liaison for Idaho since 1996. 

Cinda’s primary focus for SARE is the professional development program for extension educators.  She helps to organize and conduct professional development workshops, tours and conferences related to sustainable agriculture, including everything from composting, direct marketing, organic production, soil quality, and agricultural entrepreneurship.  She has helped develop satellite broadcasts, videos and curriculum related to sustainable agriculture education. She also has experience on the proposal review panel for each of the three types of SARE grants: Research and Education, Professional Development and Farmer and Rancher.  She has provided assistance to many producers submitting the SARE Farmer and Rancher grants. 

Cinda was among the group of co-founders of what is now Rural Roots and has worked with the group as technical advisor since 1999.  She has been part of most projects and activities sponsored by Rural Roots and University of Idaho Extension, including workshops, tours, the Bringing Home the Harvest Newsletter, and the 1999 Small Farm Conference.  The close working relationship between UI and Rural Roots has helped them garner support for grant funded projects including USDA IFAFS Direct Marketing for Small Farms research grant, a Higher Education Challenge Grant on a certificate program for Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching, Kellogg P2020 On Farm Education program, and recently a Western SARE PDP grant for the Cultivating Success curriculum. 

In addition to her work with SARE and Rural Roots, she is currently co-leader of the CALS Small Acreage Team and is also the state co-coordinator for the USDA Small Farm Program.  She teaches a course for UI students and community members on “Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching.” 

Cinda received both her B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Idaho in Plant Science/Horticulture.  Her previous work experience includes four years as a Horticulture and 4-H Extension Educator, four years in a Forest Service Soil Health laboratory, and two years as a Horticulturist at a plant nursery.  Cinda lives with her husband and two boys in Troy, Idaho.