Helen VanBeck
Midwest Program SpecialistBiography
Helen VanBeck is the Midwest Program Specialist for American Farmland Trust, where she provides coordination across several of AFT’s Midwest programs, including the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) and Saving Tomorrow’s Ag Resources (STAR). Helen works closely with partners across Illinois to advance the adoption of conservation practices that are proven to build soil health, improve water quality, and support climate resiliency, adaptation, and mitigation. Prior to joining AFT in 2021, Helen provided communication support for Field to Market, where she had the chance to collaborate with members across the food and ag supply chain to share their sustainability success stories. She has also worked on environmental policy issues at the state and federal levels. Helen earned her Bachelor of Science in environmental policy with an emphasis in sustainable agriculture from the University of California, Davis.