The Power of Law in the Public Health Toolbox: Lessons from the Frontlines of Food System Reform

Jessica Culpepper is the Executive Director of FarmSTAND, leading the organization’s staff and board to fight for a fair food system in courtrooms and communities. Jessica’s 18-year career has been entirely focused on legal advocacy on behalf of farmed animals and communities harmed by industrial animal agribusiness. Her fight for a fair food system began at her alma mater, Warren Wilson College, a work college with a sustainable working farm and garden. Before leading FarmSTAND, she worked at Humane World for Animal's Farmed Animal Welfare Division and was the Director of the Public Justice Food Project. As a lawyer, Jessica worked primarily on fighting pollution from factory farms with fenceline communities and advocating for federal and state policy reform to advance fair food systems. Jessica stays deeply tied to the fight for a fair food system in her personal life as well, as chair of the board of Socially Responsible Agriculture Project and as a board member of Warren Wilson College and Friends of the Earth.