Thomas Forster is on the faculty of the New School and teaches in the new Food Studies Program. After graduating from the University of Oregon in 1985 with degrees in planning and design, Mr Forster has worked with nonprofit and government agencies that address food, agriculture, land, and economic security through urban-rural partnerships. For over 20 years he has worked closely with sustainable agriculture, nutrition, anti-hunger, public health and school food advocates on healthy local food provisions in international, national and state legislation. He worked on healthy local food provisions in the recent 2008 Farm Bill with many New York advocates,  and is policy advisor for School Food FOCUS, a project linking municipal school districts across the US inspired by work in New York City. Also this year, he helped organize a City Farm Linkages Showcase featuring city and rural farms and vibrant markets in New York on the occasion of 2008 and 2009 meetings of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. He is on the board of the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture and co-chair of the Food Systems Network of New York City.