Francesca Costantino

Policy advocate and consultant for sustainable agriculture and local farms and food systems, with expertise in project development, fundraising, building partnerships, and Board and organizational development. Career with USDA and in local food system investment with community development finance institutions. Managed $250,000 USDA-funded partnership to build the mid-Atlantic regenerative meat value chain. Got $1.6 million grant for regional meat packing plant and $4.5 million grant for national regenerative meat company. Worked with legislators to create a state grant program for local food and farm infrastructure in VA. Has served on the Boards of Foodshed Capital, a microlender offering low-cost capital and technical assistance to sustainable farms and local food businesses, and Virginia Association for Biological Farming (VABF), and is currently policy liaison for VABF. Had a brief stint as a suburban chicken owner. Degrees in economics, agricultural development, and business, and a permaculture certificate.