Khalifa “Rancher K” Shareef
Title: Agriculture Specialist
As Agriculture Specialist for Pilot Light, Khalifa “Rancher K” Shareef oversees agriculture integration and hands-on experiential learning opportunities for the Feeding Futures and Food Education Fellowship cohorts. They are passionate about connecting youth to the origins of their food and helping them understand how agriculture provides essential resources like food, fiber, and shelter. With over 11 years of farming experience and as a micro-ranch owner, Rancher K brings deep practical knowledge to their work. Their unique blend of creative, technical, and agricultural expertise supports their mission to cultivate food literacy and inspire the next generation of land stewards.
Khalifa is a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Communications and currently serves as a Youth Empowering Agriculture STEM Coordinator with Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #3 – Food and the environment are interconnected.
Food Education Standard 3 resonates most with me. Food and the environment are deeply interconnected. Every bite we take is a reflection of the land, water, and ecosystems that support our food systems. As a farmer and educator, I’ve seen firsthand how sustainable agricultural practices not only nourish communities but also protect the soil, conserve water, and support biodiversity. Teaching youth about this connection helps them understand that caring for the environment is essential to ensuring access to healthy, culturally relevant food for generations to come. When we honor the land, we honor the food and the people who grow it. We must farm the earth not harm the earth!