Amber Bouchard joined FFAR as a scientific programs intern in June 2026, supporting the Sustaining Vibrant Agroecosystems and Strengthening the Scientific Workforce, Priority Areas. She is passionate about expanding access to the sciences and building the capacity for non-traditional, interdisciplinary expertise to tackle emerging challenges in the agricultural sector.
Amber is currently pursuing her master’s degree in environmental science at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she works as a researcher on the Urban Land Evaluation and Assessment team. Her research leverages geospatial data analysis tools, local agriculturalist and government partnerships to model land suitability for urban farming based on environmental and socioeconomic factors like industrial pollution, soil capability, transit infrastructure and food deserts. During her time as an undergraduate student at the University of Virginia, where she majored in Global Development Studies and Environmental Science, she conducted research on the transfer of novel organic farming practices in rural areas of Cambodia and the hydrology of permaculture systems in Central Virginia.
Prior to pursuing a career in agricultural science, Bouchard worked as a courier and client manager for Quickness RVA, a bicycle-only delivery business, and at a non-profit music school. She is passionate about ecology, bikepacking and traditional Appalachian music.