Agriculture
Agriculture is at the forefront of global challenges. We explore sustainable agriculture practices through the lens of energy policy.
The Sustainable Agriculture Fund
The Goldsmith Sustainable Agriculture Fund at the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, supported by a generous gift from alumnus Carl H. Goldsmith (W’88), is dedicated to advancing research at the intersection of energy policy, sustainable agriculture, and climate policy with a focus on sustainable agriculture practices, policies, and science & technology that alleviate adverse environmental and socio-economic impacts. Managed within the Kleinman Center, this initiative aims to deliver meaningful interdisciplinary outcomes and establish a foundation for long-term impact.
Staff Leadership
Thabo Lenneiye
Managing Director, Goldsmith Sustainable Agriculture FundThabo Lenneiye is the Managing Director of the Sustainable Agriculture Fund. She’s responsible for operationalizing the fund, launching initiatives focused on sustainable agriculture, and framing a research agenda that intersects with energy policy.
Recent Work
Regulating Utility-Scale Solar Projects on Agricultural Land
Farmland is attractive for utility-scale solar because of the large land parcels needed. This study reviewed how zoning has been used to approve or deny solar projects on farmland.
Harvesting the Sun: On-Farm Opportunities and Challenges for Solar Development
In the U.S., fossil fuel deposits are linked to land ownership, and many farmers have capitalized by selling their mineral rights to energy companies. Recent solar installations on farms are proving to be more profitable with fewer environmental impacts.
Featured Researcher
Heather Huntington
Director, Penn Development Research Institute-DevLabHeather Huntington is the executive director of the Penn Development Research Institute-DevLab. Her research interests include land tenure, land administration, natural resource management.
Featured Researcher
Allison Lassiter
Assistant Professor, City and Regional PlanningAllison Lassiter is an assistant professor of city and regional planning at the Weitzman School of Design. Her work examines opportunities to use landscape infrastructure and emerging technologies to build resilience and increase adaptive capacity.
Featured Researcher
Samantha McBride
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, SEASSamantha McBride is the William K. Gemmill Term Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania.
Featured Researcher
Laia Mogas-Soldevila
Assistant Professor of Architecture, Weitzman SchoolLaia Mogas-Soldevila is an Assistant Professor of Graduate Architecture and Director of DumoLab Research at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania.
Featured Researcher
Thomas Parsons
Director, Center for Stewardship Agriculture and FoodThomas Parsons is the Marie A. Moore Professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics at the School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center. He directs the Center for Stewardship Agriculture and Food at PennVet.
Featured Researcher
Domenic Vitiello
Associate Professor of City and Regional Planning, WeitzmanDomenic Vitiello is an associate professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning in the Weitzman School of Design.