Cultivating Change: Alumni Spotlight on Dr. Candace Clark ’13

Dr. Candace Clark, Class of 2013

At The Piney Woods School, students are called to lead lives of purpose—grounded in service, resilience, and a commitment to something greater than themselves. For Dr. Candace Clark, Class of 2013, that calling has taken root across the globe.

A proud alumna of Piney Woods and Tuskegee University, Dr. Clark has built a path defined by impact, advocacy, and innovation in the field of sustainable agriculture.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, and a descendant of sharecroppers and Bajans, Dr. Clark carries a deep sense of responsibility to serve her community. Her journey reflects a powerful intersection of identity, education, and purpose—shaped by her experiences as a scholar and global citizen.

After earning her degree in Agricultural Business with a focus on sustainability, along with a certificate in International Relations, Dr. Clark continued her academic journey with dual master’s degrees in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from American University and the United Nations University for Peace.

Known to many as Kando the Farm Plug, she has become a leading voice in advancing regenerative agriculture and agroecological practices. Her work centers on empowering communities—particularly across the global south—through sustainable farming techniques, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing.

In March 2026, Dr. Clark reached a major milestone, successfully defending her dissertation in Tuskegee University’s Integrative Public Policy and Development program. Her research explores the intersections of sustainable development, food sovereignty, land-use policy, and Afrofuturism—bridging academic insight with real-world application.

But her work extends far beyond academia.

As a self-described “Farm Plug”—an explorer, afro-futurist, and purveyor of emergent strategies—Dr. Clark is committed to cultivating meaningful connections between people, ideas, and the natural world. Her mission is rooted in restoring balance, promoting alternative and thriving lifestyles, and advancing intersectional justice through land-based solutions.

She is also a co-founder of Farm Plugs Unite, a decentralized cooperative homesteading model designed to reimagine how communities live, grow, and sustain themselves collectively.

Through every step of her journey, Dr. Clark embodies the Piney Woods philosophy—educating the Head, Heart, and Hands—while demonstrating that leadership is not confined to a single place, but can transform communities worldwide.

At Piney Woods, we don’t just educate students—we prepare them to make an impact.