ASU outstanding grad plants the seeds of change advancing food sustainability through public policy
Jacob DeFant, a fall 2024 master's graduate in sustainable food systems and public policy, has been named an outstanding graduate by the School of Sustainability, an academic unit of the College of Global Futures at Arizona State University. Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.
Growing up in the “farm-to-fork capital” of Sacramento, California, Jacob DeFant developed an early passion for food and agriculture. This led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, where he explored how sustainability could ensure a healthy and abundant food supply for future generations.
Through research work in agronomy and biological control, he discovered his calling — crafting policies to enact meaningful changes toward sustainable food systems.
His hands-on experience working on farms and as a researcher for the California Department of Food and Agriculture gave him perspective into the daily challenges farmers face and the critical need for policies rooted in real-world agricultural experience.
“It is critical for policymakers crafting food and agriculture policies to interact with people who have been the ‘boots on the ground,’” he said. “I knew then that I had a unique interest and experience to pursue a graduate degree geared towards public policy and to root my continued education and future careers in my experience in agriculture.”
Therefore, he enrolled in Arizona State University through ASU Online, balancing his education, full-time career, fellowships and extracurricular activities.
This fall, DeFant has been named an outstanding graduate student by ASU's School of Sustainability, an academic unit of the College of Global Futures. He earned a master’s degree in sustainable food systems and public policy and a graduate certificate in food policy and sustainability leadership.
During his time at ASU, DeFant excelled in both academics and leadership.
He was selected as a USDA NextGen scholar, which has equipped him with insights into national food and agriculture policies, leadership skills and policy development. As part of his capstone project, he and his research group developed “Seeds of Success,” a first-of-its-kind guideline framework for farm-based education centers. The capstone report was published by the ASU Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems and presented to the Farm-to-School Network in Maine.
DeFant’s achievements also include acceptance into the College of Global Future’s Frasier Global Mentorship Program, where he was mentored by Amanda Ellis, a former United Nations ambassador and senior director of global partnerships and networks for the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory.
Currently, DeFant is working as a membership and public policy coordinator for the Agricultural Council of California, where he conducts executive-legislative and regulatory analysis.
“A lot of momentum behind farm changes came from policy,” he said.
Below, DeFant shares reflections on his ASU journey.
Question: Why did you choose to attend ASU?
Answer: I chose to attend ASU because of its accessibility, affordability and top-ranked faculty, staff and programs. However, I was primarily drawn to the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems and the opportunity to be advised and mentored by Dr. Kathleen Merrigan, a world-renowned leader in sustainable food systems.
Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: I learned that our food systems engage with an incredibly diverse set of stakeholders and that any effort to create feasible, sustainable food and ag policy should include as many stakeholders as possible. These include farmers, dieticians, supply chains, community leaders, the general public and more.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: Dr. Kathleen Merrigan and Suzanne Palmieri taught me the most important lesson at ASU. They taught me the importance of balancing humility and confidence as a young professional. Knowing what you need to learn and leveraging existing skills and knowledge will be key as a young leader in sustainability and our efforts to create a more resilient, equitable and environmentally friendly food system.
Q: What are your proudest accomplishments of your ASU career?
A: My proudest accomplishment while at ASU was my acceptance into the Frasier Global Mentorship Program. During the program, I was able to be advised by Amanda Ellis, a renowned leader in global sustainability issues. The program provided opportunities for international experience, including a week at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, Italy. While there, I shadowed economists and met with staff to learn more about their work advancing a sustainable food system around the globe. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could have only been provided by institutions such as ASU and the Frasier Family.
Q: What are the key policy changes and climate challenges needed for a more sustainable agricultural system, and how do you plan to address them?
A: I believe that effective policy changes addressing climate change and sustainability in agriculture must balance both incentives ("carrots") and regulations ("sticks") to achieve the desired outcomes. Farmers operate on razor-thin margins, and focusing solely on punitive measures, like taxes and fees, could push them further toward financial hardship. To succeed, these policies should pair such regulations with positive incentives — such as tax breaks, grants and subsidies — that encourage the adoption of sustainable practices. This balanced approach can help ensure that policies are both effective in addressing climate change and supportive of the farmers who provide some of the world’s safest and highest-quality food.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: Stay focused, manage your time and remember to enjoy what you are learning!
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