Nikki D’Adamo-Damery is the Conservation Outreach and Equity Director at Sand County Foundation, where she leads the Land Ethic Mentorship Program, expanding support for historically underserved farmers and ranchers. Throughout her career, she has brought together partners across sectors to address complex challenges at the intersection of agriculture, conservation, and community well-being. Her experience includes helping launch the first community land trust in Richmond, Virginia; building a cross-sector network to improve food security in central Appalachia; and supporting limited-resource farmers and ranchers in Alabama through Heifer International. Nikki holds a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from Duke University and a master’s degree in Sociology and Sustainable Agriculture, with a certificate in Social Justice, from Iowa State University. She is a founding board member of the Central Virginia Agrarian Commons, which works to expand equitable access to farmland. Nikki lives in Hanover County, Virginia, with her husband, three children, three cats, two Great Pyrenees, and an abundance of chickens.
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“I am thrilled to be part of the 2026–2028 Virginia Tech VALOR cohort! It’s an honor to join such an inspiring group of Virginia agricultural leaders. I look forward to learning alongside my fellow participants, building lasting relationships, and growing through the experiences we’ll share over the next two years.“
