Mitchell Doss joined IALR in 2024 as a Value Chain Coordinator. In this role, Mitchell plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between farmers and institutional buyers, strengthening distribution networks, and driving the growth of the regional food system. He is responsible for developing and managing comprehensive databases of local food producers and buyers, conducting in-depth analyses of food purchasing practices and market trends, and collaborating with local food distributors to expand market opportunities for farmers. His initiatives ensure consumers have access to a consistent supply of fresh, locally-sourced food.
Doss is no stranger to IALR, as he attended the Academy for Engineering and Technology from 2015 to 2017 and held two Summer Research Intern positions at IALR in 2015 and 2019. Doss previously worked as a research specialist and graduate assistant for the Controlled Environmental Agriculture Innovation Center – a partnership between IALR and Virginia Tech. Doss completed a B.S. in Environmental Science with a double minor in Engineering and Data science at Randolph College and earned an M.S. in Horticulture from Virginia Tech.
