Dr. Esther S. Durairaj is the Education Director of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. She obtained her Doctorate in Agronomy and has more than 25 years of professional experience in research on sustainable agriculture. Resource conservation, diversity in cropping systems and soil health mean much to her and she works in the same spheres both in education and research Her research work focusses on alternative crops for the Midwest.

She leads two flagship programs of MFAI: “Milwaukee Urban Ag Network (MUAN)” and “Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC)”. These programs provide peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities along with technical assistance. She loves urban farms and community building and enjoys her current role in bringing more awareness about soil health.