From the Founder

Hi! I’m Sycamore May, founder of Food and Climate Consulting.

I launched this business in 2024 because I kept seeing the same thing: incredible work happening across the food system, from farms and food businesses to mission-driven nonprofits, but often without the resources, funding, or support needed to take that work to the next level. I started Food and Climate Consulting to change that.

Over the years, I’ve helped secure multi-million dollar USDA grants to fund climate-smart agriculture initiatives (like installing solar panels on chicken farms across the country). I’ve also rolled up my sleeves on smaller, community-based projects that make a big difference, like supporting small farms with the marketing and infrastructure they need to scale sustainably, like storing and distributing perishable produce, or working with institutions like college campuses and the National Guard to support the systems that provide dignified, locally-sourced ready-to-eat meals to students and soldiers experiencing food insecurity.

I’ve worked hand-in-hand with farmers, food entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders who are revolutionizing our food system. I bring a practical, grounded approach to every project, shaped by more than a decade of experience in the food industry and a deep commitment to a more sustainable, resilient future.

Whether you’re just getting started, growing your impact, or navigating the maze of grant or certification compliance, I’ll meet you where you are and help bring your vision to life.

Let's Work Together
Two people planting a young tree in a grassy field. One man is holding a shovel and the other woman is holding a clipboard, both dressed in outdoor clothing.

TESTIMONIALS

  • "I can't say enough about Sycamore May. As a busy business owner, she did all the heavy lifting by finding applicable grants, helping to build a compelling narrative around our needs, she even went above and beyond by helping us execute grant deliverables and reporting when we won our first grant. I would recommend Sycamore to anyone looking for an exceptional grant writer!!"

    — Chris Pulliam, Westchester Mushroom Company

  • "Sycamore’s consulting has been critical to our success this year. The process of applying to grants is a barrier for so many organizations, ours included. Sycamore made the process straightforward, and her work speaks for itself: she won the first grant we applied for together. I can’t recommend her services enough. "

    — Austin Schatz, Westchester Mushroom Company

  • "Sycamore is smart, quick and well organized - she has been a great addition to Teatown's fundraising efforts."

    — Kevin Carter, Executive Director, Teatown Lake Reservation

  • "Sycamore currently serves as an independent grant writing and grants management consultant for our organization. She is professional, reliable, and organized. Her approach is thoughtful, she is diligent about meeting deadlines, demonstrates a willingness to learn and is committed to producing quality work while supporting the needs of her clients."

    — Jean Costello, Development Director, Teatown Lake Reservation

  • "Sycamore brought valuable strategic thinking to Greyston's LinkedIn presence, building out a content pillar strategy and a consistent publishing cadence, then using performance data to continually sharpen our paid campaigns, including refining our audience targeting so our budget reached the right foodservice decision-makers. She combines strong communication skills with a genuine ability to dig into the numbers and explain what they mean."

    — Brad Angevine, Marketing & Special Projects, Greyston Bakery

  • “Sycamore brings a distinct combination of deep subject matter expertise in regenerative agriculture and the ability to connect research with real-world application and feasibility. Throughout our work together, she was collaborative, thoughtful, and skilled at distilling complex information into practical insights.”

    — Director of Impact at a National Pasture-Raised Egg Company

  • "Sycamore has been instrumental in helping to redirect our Sales and Marketing efforts from primary B2C and gifting focused to B2B as we look to broaden our base of larger and more consistent trade customers. Sycamore built out a content pillar strategy for LinkedIn which has allowed us to regularly post new and integrated content, and build followers and credibility with Fast Casual Restaurants, QSRs and Coffee Chains. She has taken a data-driven approach as we have tried paid campaigns and audience segmentation and always looks to continuously improve our activities towards more of what's working. Sycamore also played an integral role before and after our recent highly successful presence at the National Restaurant Association Show, helping drive traffic to our booth, and follow-up with attendees and trade ad sample requests. In addition to delivering excellent work, on time, Sycamore is a pleasure to work with!"

    – Dave Lampert, Chief Commercial Officer, Greyston Bakery

  • "I had the pleasure of working with Sycamore May during her time as Director of Sustainability, and she was nothing short of outstanding. She brought a clear vision and real passion to everything she did whether it was leading complex carbon reduction projects, building cross-functional buy-in, or launching creative programs that got the whole company engaged. Sycamore has that rare mix of strategic thinking and hands-on execution. She knows how to get things done and make a lasting impact. On top of that, she’s just a great person to work with—collaborative, thoughtful, and inspiring. Any organization would be lucky to have her on their team."

    – Zac Martinez, Commercial Business Development, Emergent Solar Energy

  • "I hired Sycamore as a consultant to support Niman Ranch's sustainability communications strategy when I found myself in need of an extra set of hands during a busy season. She was wonderful to work with: she jumped right in and worked quickly to draft content and strategy to expand our reach through traditional and social media platforms. She is very well rounded, able to dive deep on sustainability standard technicalities while also translating these complexities for a general consumer audience. I highly recommend Sycamore!"

    – Alicia LaPorte, Sr. Director, Communications and Impact, Niman Ranch

  • "Working with Sycamore has been a true pleasure. She listens with depth to each detail, weaving together the story of our work as if she has been part of it and present with it. She truly sees all that we are offering to our community, while holding with thoughtfulness and care the language for who we are and what that means for our community."

    –Atalanta Sunguroff, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Sonrisas Project

  • "Sycamore is an exceptional asset for any organization. Her eye for detail, organizational skills, excellent writing, and unflagging calm and composure keep programs running smoothly and successfully, no matter what. There's no task I wouldn't trust her with, and I greatly enjoy our collaboration."

    – Julia Grigg, Deputy Director, The Carrot Project

QUESTIONS? LET’S CHAT.

BOOK A CONSULTATION