Samantha Victores is originally from Weston, Florida and moved to Gainesville in 2018 to attend the University of Florida. She is a double gator and received her bachelor’s in plant science in 2021 and a master’s in agronomy in 2023. Her graduate thesis centered on the feasibility of organic peanut production in Florida, where there are no certified organic peanut farms. She also worked as the graduate assistant for the Field and Fork Farm, the campus farm which is managed organically and brings all produce to a free pantry for the UF community. She is eager to continue working around farms and farmers in both organic and GAP certifications. In her free time, she likes to go on nature walks, cook, attend trivia, and hangout with her two cats.

Hello, my name is Shemuel Patton, I was born in California and lived the last 19 years in Las Vegas, Nevada; I earned my Bachelor’s in Biology with minor focuses in chemistry and mathematics at Nevada State College. My interests range from playing music, learning languages (French and Spanish), and gardening. My newest hobby since moving here is spending almost every weekend at the beach and running from the ever-so abundant bugs that call Florida home.

Sophia received her B.S in Animal Science with a concentration in Food Animals from the University of Florida as well as her A.S in Veterinary Science from the College of Central Florida. Prior to coming to QCS Sophia volunteered at a local Exotic Animal Sanctuary where she gained experiencing working with Lions, Tigers, Primates, Bears and a host of other exotic animals. Growing up Sophia always expressed a passion for animals, but it was not until she joined her Future Farmers of America Chapter in high school that she developed a passion for swine. A passion she still carries today. Sophia has been with QCS since 2019, but when not working closely with organic farmers, Sophia enjoys tending to her garden, fishing, and spending time with her family and many animals.

Born and raised in Santiago, Dominican Republic, Melina learned English in her early years in Santiago Christian School, one of the most recognized bilingual schools in her hometown. Then studied Marketing at Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), one of the biggest private universities of the country. Melina worked at BANANOSA, one of the largest banana farms in the North-West Region of Dominican Republic, for 7 years as an Administrative Manager and then worked as an Executive Director of a grower group of banana producers. Melina enjoys working at QCS because it has been a new challenge as a professional and she has been able to apply her skills and learn new ones working in a friendly work environment where everyone is part of a great team. Her mantra is “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”