Running a farm, pursuing a research career: what’s the difference?

Running a farm, pursuing a research career: what’s the difference?

From Working Scientist by Nature Careers

May 15, 2026 · 14 min

About this episode

Brandon Brown discusses the parallels between farming and his research career in public health.

Brandon Brown “fell into farming” after tiring of city life during the COVID-19 pandemic and now tends more than 150 fruit trees alongside his research into HIV and public health ethics at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. “I had to look at farming the same way that I look at my academic career, and to take it one day at a time with my eyes towards a goal,” he says. Brown says it took him a while for the realization to dawn. “My PhD taught me that the work is never done, and there’s always a new research project to pursue, more students to collaborate with, more policies to work on,” he says. “And since research builds on research, the fun never ends.” Mornings spent outdoors also gives him time to think about work priorities. “I have lots of free time to think as I do the farming, and many times I write down notes as I’m working, because ideas and kind of reminders and goals and deadlines pass through my mind,” he says. There are other benefits. Brown says he now falls asleep to the “beautiful” sound of howling coyotes, alongside possums, racoons, skunks, squirrels, lizards and gophers. This is the fourth episode in a six-part series about creativity in…

People in this episode

Guest: Brandon Brown

Topics covered

  • farming
  • research career
  • public health
  • HIV
  • creativity in science

Keywords

  • farming
  • research
  • HIV
  • public health
  • creativity
  • COVID-19
  • ethics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of California, Riverside School of Medicine

Places: California

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