FARMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (FAC)

in

History
Just Food developed the Farmer Advisory Committee (FAC) in January of 2000 as a way to have farmers help shape the CSA in NYC program. The original members of the FAC were three CSA in NYC farmers, an experienced CSA farmer not directly involved in the program, an extension agent, Just Food’s Executive Director, and the CSA in NYC Program Coordinator.

Current Role with Just Food
FAC members are both farmers and extension agents who have shown a strong commitment and enthusiasm for Just Food’s programs. Their purpose is to represent themselves as well as the farmers who work with our programs in Just Food decision making. We have selected a varied group of FAC members hoping that they represent a sample of Just Food farmers.

While the purpose of the FAC is always evolving, some of the major contributions that they make to Just Food are:

  • Reviewing new farmer applications for the CSA in NYC and FFfA programs
  • Accompanying Just Food on farm visits to potential new farms
  • Helping to edit farmer related documents such as Farmer Application revisions and revisions for Just Food toolkits
  • Serving as a resource for new or interested Just Food farmers
  • Helping with Just Food conferences (e.g. planning for our Farmer Summit and serving on the farmer panel for our CSA in NYC conference)

Members of the FAC (as of Summer 2009)
John Ameroso – Cornell Extension Agent (NYC)
Mick Bessire – Cornell Extension Agent (Greene County)
Ted Blomgren – Windflower Farm (Just Food CSA and FFfA farmer)
Jody Bolluyt – Roxbury Farm (Just Food CSA farmer)
Jen Griffith – Farm Network Coordinator
Zaid Kurdieh – Norwich Meadows Farm (Just Food CSA farmer)
Chris Kaplan-Walbrecht – Garden of Eve (Just Food CSA farmer)
Matt Kurek – Golden Earthworm Farm (Just Food CSA and FFfA farmer)
Paula Lukats – CSA in NYC Program Manager
Benjamin Shute – Hearty Roots Farm (Just Food CSA and FFfA farmer)
Abby Youngblood – Fresh Food for All Program Manager