Staff

Christy Chiarelli

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Christy Chiarelli was born and raised in Laurel, Mississippi. Her love of agriculture was instilled by her grandfather and his cattle operation. She showed market lambs and Brahman cattle as a member of her local FFA chapter and was also a 4-H member. Her involvement in the National FFA Organization culminated in being elected a national FFA officer.

Her undergraduate and graduate degrees are from the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in agricultural education and communication and agricultural leadership. Prior to directing the Wedgworth Leadership Institute, she worked for the Center for Public Issues Education and UF/IFAS Advancement.

Christy and her husband, Elio, live with their two children live on a small farm in Alachua.

Anne Schwartz Parrish

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

Anne Parrish was raised in Land O’Lakes, Florida. Her interest in agriculture began after taking agriscience classes in high school. She developed her ability to communicate about agriculture and passion for agricultural science while serving as a Florida FFA State Officer in 2015. Upon graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Plant Science, Anne worked as a biological scientist for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Citrus Germplasm Introduction Program.

Anne lives with her husband, Brooks, in Newberry, Florida.

Brandy Johnson

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Brandy Johnson grew up and spent most of her life in North and North Central Florida. Since starting her first garden in 2021, Brandy has developed a passion for growing her own vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

Brandy has an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and previously worked for IFAS in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department.

Brandy enjoys spending time with her husband, Clayton, and two children. Together they love to be outside or playing games as a family.

Brian Myers

FACULTY ADVISER

Dr. Brian Myers was raised on a grain and livestock farm in west-central Illinois. He received his BS and MS degrees in Agricultural Education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Myers taught high school agriscience at Unity High School in Mendon, IL, for four years prior to beginning his doctoral studies.

He joined the AEC faculty in 2004 as a teacher educator. In 2016, Dr. Myers was appointed chair of the department. His research interests include: Agriscience Curriculum Development and Implementation, Connecting Research to Practice, and the Design and Delivery of Professional Development.

Overall, Dr. Myers’ work is guided by the mission to develop passionate educators equipped with the knowledge, skills, and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of students.