Julia Shanks

Julia brings a broad range of professional experience to her clients, from pilot to chef to serial entrepreneur. She combines the practicality of an accountant with the creativity of a chef. With a mission of supporting a sustainable and just food system, Julia wrote "The Farmer's Office: Tools, Tips and Template for Successfully Managing a Growing Farm Business." The book coaches farmers to think like entrepreneurs so they can build a financially sustainable business. "The Farmers Market Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to Enjoying Fresh, Local, Seasonal Produce," co-authored with Brett Grohsgal and cited as a reference in Michelle Obama’s American Grown, highlights the joys of local produce; and helps consumers make the most of local farmers' bounties. Julia’s career started at the FAA as an aviation analyst and quickly took a turn into the culinary arts. After more than a decade of professional cooking, she earned her MBA, taught graduate and undergraduate accounting, and helped small companies create business plans to get the financing they needed for growth. Julia received her professional training as a chef at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, her BA from Hampshire College and an MBA, Magna Cum Laude in Entrepreneurship, from Babson College.