Bee Estabrook

Policy Specialist

 

Bee Estabrook is an urban and food systems planner based in Columbus, Ohio, with a decade of experience designing and managing complex, community-centered initiatives, specializing in strategic planning, cross-sector collaboration, and equitable program implementation across food systems, public health, sustainability, and economic development.

As the Food Systems Planner for Franklin County, Ohio, Bee led the County’s comprehensive local food strategy, resulting in over $1 million in new public investments for the local food economy, including essential support for small-scale growers, urban farms, community gardens, and food entrepreneurs.

Bee’s career is defined by a commitment to equity and strategic systems change, bringing not only technical proficiency, but also a deep relational approach projects, shaped by a commitment to place-based community engagement. Whether leading research, facilitating coalitions, managing projects, or navigating government bureaucracy, Bee centers community voice and long-term impact.

Bee holds an M.A. in Peace and Justice Studies from the University of San Diego, completing a thesis which analyzed the intersection of food security and land security in Mozambique. Bee also serves as Board President for Yay Bikes!, a bike advocacy nonprofit that is working to advance mobility justice and sustainable transportation in Central Ohio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Whatcom County Food System Plan

New Venture Advisors supported Whatcom County staff and the Food System Committee in developing the Whatcom County Food System Plan, a 10-year roadmap for a more equitable and resilient food system. NVA led plan development, community engagement, and cross-sector strategy, integrating agriculture, fisheries and marine harvest, processing, distribution, and access to strengthen the regional food economy. (2023)

 Whatcom Local Food Campus

Whatcom Community Foundation continues to partner with New Venture Advisors to guide the development of the Kitchens@Millworks —a bold project uniting health, equity, and market access. Building on previous work with the Farm to Freezer program, the team developed an operational model, financial analysis, and partner strategy. NVA is evaluating expansion of farm-to-institution efforts and their potential relocation to the new campus. Advanced financial models support a multi-operator facility encompassing production, aggregation, retail, and community programs. (2026)