MEMBERS

The Soil Health & Agroecological Living Lab’s success is driven by the skills, dedication, and collaborative spirit of its members. We are a multidisciplinary collective of passionate scientists, students, and staff committed to agroecological living and enhancing the well-being of farmers and vitality of rural communities across Wisconsin and beyond.

Dr. Michael M. Bell

Philip David Lowe Professor of Community and Environmental Sociology

Michael Bell is the Philip David Lowe and Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in the Department of Community & Environmental Sociology, as well as a faculty associate in Environmental Studies, Religious Studies, and Agroecology. Bell is the author or editor of eleven books, three of which have won national awards, with a 12th book in press. His most recent books are City of the Good: Nature, Religion, and the Ancient Search for What Is Right (Princeton, 2018), the Cambridge Handbook of Environmental Sociology (Cambridge, 2020), the 6th edition of Invitation to Environmental Sociology (Sage, 2021), and the 2nd edition of Farming for Us All: Practical Agriculture and the Cultivation of Sustainability (Penn State Press, 2024). His work focuses on environmental sociology, agroecology, and community. He is the co-founder and former chair of Madison’s Agroecology Program.

Dr. Rachel M. Gurney

Faculty Associate, Department of Community & Environmental Sociology

Rachel Gurney is an interdisciplinary sociologist with a BA in journalism, MS in environmental science, and PhD in sociology. Her research explores the intersections of public opinion, policy, and social movements regarding environmental issues. Using a range of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, her work emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement. Gurney is dedicated to advancing both academic knowledge and practical solutions to environmental challenges. With over a decade of experience in research, teaching, nonprofit advocacy, and public outreach, she has worked for national and international organizations, contributed to state policy development, and volunteered in wildlife rehabilitation. Gurney regularly engages with policymakers, community organizations, and the public through various outreach initiatives.