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Thimmaiah Appachanda

*** * **** ******, *********, Iowa, 52556

email: adfk1a@r.postjobfree.com tel: 712-***-**** www regenerative-agriculture.net www.linkedin.com/in/athimmaiah PROFILE

Purpose-driven creative thought leader, visionary, passionate to add value to people and organizations. Designed and implemented large scale regenerative agriculture projects in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Extensive knowledge of current trends in agriculture, biodiversity, agro-forestry, natural resource management, poverty alleviation, agro-ecology, environmental policy, natural capital and market systems. Skilled in consulting, project management, life cycle analysis, identifying potential gaps, synergies and opportunities. Held leadership positions with Governments, the United Nations, International development organizations, Agribusiness corporations and Universities. Serves on the board of reputed organizations and think-tanks focussed on food, agriculture, research, policy and climate change. Multicultural and practical field experience working in 10 countries viz., Bali

(Indonesia), Bhutan, Costa Rica, Holland, India, Italy, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and the USA. Excellent written, verbal, non-verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Supervised, coached, mentored, motivated, equipped and built multidisciplinary teams. Published research papers, articles and blogs. Led the transition of Bhutan into the world’s first organic and carbon-neutral nation. Fostered trusted relationships across diverse stakeholders. EXPERIENCE

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Rome, Italy Regenerative Agriculture Expert (Home based) May 2020 – present Advising the FAO of the United Nations and World Bank cooperative program in sustainable agriculture research and policy for federal governments. Demeter USA Philomath, Oregon

Board Director July 2014 – present

Demeter is the world’s first ecological certification organization, headquartered in Germany. Serve on the board to guide technical leadership and strategic direction. Review and approve the strategic plan, programs, services, business decisions, annual report and budget. Periodically evaluate the executive director, offer technical support to the executives and hiring. Head committees, contribute technical inputs on natural resource management, biodynamic agriculture, regulatory standards, monitoring and evaluation. Support farming associations through technical training in regenerative agriculture. Foster networking, 2

relationship building, decision making, and consensus creation. Represent at national, international conferences and events.

Siddha Vetha Center for Transdisciplinary Studies Newark, New Jersey Mentor & Faculty Jan. 2019 to present

Siddha Vetha Centre for Transdisciplinary Studies is an accredited enterprise development center in New Jersey. Mentored youth accelerator program on ‘entrepreneurship and future trends in sustainable agriculture’ and research on millets. Maharishi International University Fairfield, Iowa Associate Professor & Director Feb. 2014 to Dec. 2019 Lead research, education, and outreach in regenerative agriculture and natural resource management. Launched Bachelor’s degree program in regenerative agriculture and taught courses. Conducted field research and published technical papers in leading journals and presented at international conferences. Secured an annual grant for $110,000 for 3 years. Received distinguished university award for research & development accomplishments. Consulted following projects on regenerative agriculture, policy and natural resource management.

Ministry of Education, Government of Bali, Indonesia since 2017.

Empowering refugees through gardening in partnership with FARRMS and Lutheran social service (LSS), Fargo, North Dakota, US since 2017.

A network of Italian organic agriculture organizations and the Environment Protection Agency of Italy (ARPA) since 2018.

Capacity building in urban & peri-urban agriculture in collaboration with Yangmingshan Ecovillage Preservation and Education Alliance, Taiwan in 2017. Royal Government of Bhutan Thimphu, Bhutan

International Consultant May 2010 to Nov.2013

Led the transition of Bhutan into the world’s first 100% organic and carbon-neutral nation through strategic direction and leadership. Designed policy enabling interventions for sustainable agriculture, natural resource management and trade. Authored and managed Bhutan Organic Certification System, transparency and traceability systems.Trained and coached 189 food, livestock and agriculture inspectors in inspection and certification. Bhutan is the only nation with a policy to provide free organic certification services to farmers as a reward for their stewardship.

Strengthened research uptake strategies, innovation, impact pathways and programs for the National Research Centres (NRC’s). Revitalized diversified partnerships with C-suite individuals, policymakers, private sector, international organizations and represented Bhutan at international events.

Partnered with the National Institute for Technology Transfer (INTA), Ministry of Agriculture Costa Rica through South-South Partnerships of the Netherlands for implementation of 3

Regenerative agriculture projects involving smallholder farmers, indigenous people and local communities. Published a document translated in Spanish on “Low-cost agriculture: strategies and technologies”.

SNV Netherlands Development Organization Thimphu, Bhutan Senior Advisor April 2008 to April 2010

SNV Netherlands Development Organization is a non-profit international development organization established in the Netherlands in 1965 that focusses on alleviating poverty in 33 countries. Mentored the senior government officials, extension agencies, private sector, community groups, civil society in good agriculture practices (GAP), sustainable agriculture, agro-forestry, soil health, food and agriculture standards. Streamlined policies, implemented strategies for inclusive food security, natural resource management, value chain development (VCD) and climate-smart regenerative agriculture. Authored the following strategic documents.

1. Strategic Plan for development of the organic agriculture sector in Bhutan. 2. Training Manuals on low-cost agriculture technologies. 3. Bhutan National Organic standards for crop production and animal husbandry complying with International norms and ISO guidelines. Natura Agroconsultants Pvt. Ltd Faridabad, India

Executive Director Jan. 2001 to March 2008

Founded and managed the consultancy company. Led the strategic expansion, marketing and consulting services. Consulted large scale commercial projects complying international regulatory standards in organic, biodynamic agriculture, fairtrade for orchards, plantation crops (coffee, tea, spices), specialty crops, basmati rice, pulses, vegetables, fruit crops, agro- forestry and medicinal plants. Clients comprised of agribusiness corporations, farmer cooperatives, NGOs, local communities, indigenous people and government institutions. Trained several organizations in international standards (EU, JAS, NOP, NPOP, Demeter and Private standards) for organic agriculture production and trade. Some of the leading organic agriculture companies consulted in India are Organic India, POABS Group, Assam Tea Company, Sunstar Overseas, Bombay Burmah Trading Company. Consulted the following international organizations: 1. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal (2005-o7). Trained and mentored the stakeholders (India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan) in Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) for production, marketing of medicinal & aromatic plants. 2. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (2005-2006). Assessed the situation of inputs available for organic farming in India for the first time and participated in policy dialogues. Published two books. 1. Current Status of Inputs for Organic Agriculture 2. Training Manual for Organic Agriculture

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3. International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), Rome (2004). Member of the International research team. Co-authored a document “Thematic Evaluation -Organic Agriculture and Poverty Reduction in Asia -China & India Focus”. 4. International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada (2003 to 2005). Trained non-governmental organizations and Universities from India and South Asia in the sustainable production of medicinal & aromatic plants. EDUCATION

Harvard University Cambridge, MA

Professional certificate course in Entrepreneurship Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT D) New Delhi, India PhD in Sustainable Agriculture

Awarded Dr. KS Krishnan Senior Research Fellowship (GPA 9.75/10.00) Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) New Delhi, India Masters of Science (Entomology)

Awarded ICAR Research Fellowship (GPA 3.41/4.00)

University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) Dharwad, India Bachelors of Science (Agriculture)

GPA (3.69/4.00)

TRAINING

Completed ‘Product Safety Alliance Training Course’ in 2018. The training was on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Produce Safety Rules, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and co-management of natural resources and food safety. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

2017- Member, Advisory Group, The Carbon Underground USA. The Carbon present Underground is a US-based think-tank that links academia, business, and financial markets in finding appropriate solutions for the climate crisis. Member, Working Group on Eco-Agriculture, Indian Council of Food and Agriculture (ICFA), New Delhi, India. ICFA is a national think-tank on policy, trade, innovation, technology, and agribusiness.

Member, Expert panel, International Advisory Panel for Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Energy (SAFE) to transform Bali into Green Island”. It’s an initiative of the Government of Bali, Indonesia, in collaboration with Asia Pacific Network for SAFE, Indonesia. SAFE Network is an Asia Pacific network of experts in Agroecology and sustainable development. 5

2014- Member, Expert Committee, Uberoi Foundation, University of Denver, present USA. Uberoi Foundation is a US-based organization that connects people to identify solutions for global challenges of climate change and human wellbeing from socio-cultural perspectives.

Member, Board of Advisors, South East Iowa Food Hub (SEIFH), Iowa, USA. SEIFH promotes local food cultivation, entrepreneurship and market linkages. Trustee, The Cows Foundation, West Virginia, USA. Cows Foundation is a non- profit organization promoting animal welfare.

2007 Member, Program and Course Design Committee for Organic farming at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, India, the world’s largest University for the development of the technical curricula. 2006 – Member, Technical Support Group, National Horticulture Mission 2008 Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka State, India to promote horticulture crops.

2001- Member, Board of Directors, Natura Agroconsultants Pvt. Ltd. India, a present consultancy company offering advisory services in regenerative agriculture. AWARDS

Junior Research Fellow by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), for pursuing Masters in Entomology at Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. 1994 K.S. Krishnan Senior research fellowship from Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Department of atomic energy, Mumbai for pursuing Ph.D. at Indian Institute of Technology

(IIT) Delhi. 1996

‘University Award' for research and development from the Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA. 2016

‘JC Bose Memorial Award’ for empowering rural communities through regenerative organic agriculture, research & development in Asia. February 2019, India. INTERNATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE- WEBLINKS

Short film Biodynamic Agriculture: Farming in Service of life Podcast on Regenerative agriculture ‘We can do this’ Recent Interviews on Italian National Television

This man is helping the entire country of Bhutan go organic This tiny country is going 100 percent organic

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