Marcia Ostrom

Marcia Ostrom is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the School of the Environment and Food Systems Program at Washington State University. She leads interdisciplinary research and extension programs focused on sustainability and equity in food systems, including initiatives like the Small Farms Program, Cultivating Success Program, and Immigrants in Agriculture Program. Her work addresses systemic inequities in agricultural extension and has been recognized with awards from institutions including the Fulbright Program and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Dr. Ostrom holds a Ph.D. in Agroecology from the University of Wisconsin, an M.S. in Agriculture from Cornell University, and an A.B. in Environmental Science from Harvard University. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on sustainable agriculture and advises students in agroecology and food systems research.

Her research interests span agroecology, environmental sociology, and participatory action research, with a focus on values-based supply chains, policy reforms, and community engagement. Recent work includes pioneering silvopasture systems to mitigate wildfire risk and advancing racial equity in cooperative extension programs through the Coming Together for Racial Understanding (CTRU) initiative.

Her publications between 2000-2024 reflect a sustained commitment to equity-driven innovation, farmer-led research, and systemic change. Key themes include participatory approaches to urban agriculture, gender dynamics in farmers markets, and the socio-ecological impacts of agroecological practices.

• Awards: WSU Excellence Award, Fulbright Fellowship, Kellogg Foundation Grant
• Grants: W.K. Kellogg Foundation, USDA-NIFA
• Labs/Teams: Food Systems Program, CTRU Leadership Team