Amanda Edmonds, Mayor of Ypsilanti

Amanda Maria Edmonds is passionate about social justice. She is the founder and executive director of Growing Hope, an Ypsilanti nonprofit dedicated to helping people improve  their lives and communities through gardening and healthy food access.  Before her election as Mayor, she served on the Ypsilanti Health Coalition, the Ypsilanti Parks and Recreation Commission,  the MSU-Extension Advisory Council, and the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority.  She currently serves on the Michigan Food Policy Council, chairs the Healthy Food Access Task Force, and is a vice-chair of the Washtenaw Food Policy Council.  Through her leadership, Growing Hope’s Ypsilanti Farmers Markets is working towards construction of a permanent, year-round facility. She earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources & Environment.  Amanda has a passion for swing dance, and has a part-time creative endeavor of making and selling her photographs, buttons, & jewelry called AMEPIX.  Amanda moved to Michigan from St. Louis, Missouri over twenty years ago and along with her partner, Hollie Pietsch, she makes her home in Ypsilanti.