2019 National Advisory Committee 

​Mark Cannella                                  University of VT Extension                                             VT
Ela Chapin (previous host)             Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program                  VT
Sid Dasgupta                                    Kentucky State University                                              KY
Todd Erling (previous host)            Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corp.      NY
John Fisk                                          Wallace Center at Winrock International                     DC/National
Julia Freedgood                               American Farmland Trust                                              MA/National
Jim Hafner                                        Land for Good                                                                  MA/Northeast
Jan Joannides (2019 host)            Renewing the Countryside                                             MN
Tera Johnson                                   Food Finance Institute                                                    WI
Fred Kirschenmann                         Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture                IA
Scott Marlow                                    Rural Advancement Foundation International            NC
Gary Matteson                                  Farm Credit Council                                                        DC/National   
​Tanya Murray                                    Oregon Tilth                                                                     OR
Greg Padget                                      Practical Farmers of Iowa                                              IA
Holly Rippon-Butler & Cara Fraver National Young Farmers Coalition                                NY
Olivia Tincani                                    Kitchen Table Advisors & Olivia Tincani & Co.            CA
Sai Thao & Paul Dietmann             Compeer                                                                            MN/Midwest
Debra Tropp                                      Debra Tropp Consulting                                                  MD
Michael Wall                                     Georgia Organics                                                             GA
​David Weinand                                 Minnesota Department of Agriculture                          MN
Sarah Wentzel-Fisher &                  Quivira Coalition                                                                NM
​Arielle Quintana     
​William Nelson                                                                                                                              MN                                   

2019 Regional Advisory Committee 

Jan Joannides                                  Renewing the Countryside                                                 MN
​Megan Forcia                                    Healthy Food, Healthy Lives,                                             MN
                                                            University of Minnesota 
Dan Hoffman                                    Center for Agricultural & Food Science Technology,      MN
                                                            Riverland Community College
Beth Nelson                                      Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education                North Central Region
Helene Murray                                  Institute for Sustainable Agriculture,                                 MN
                                                            University of Minnesota
Jody Padgham                                 Renewing the Countryside, University of Wisconsin       WI
Julie Ristau                                       Main Street Project                                                               MN
Karen Stettler                                   Land Stewardship Project                                                    MN
Kathy Zeman                                    Minnesota Farmers Market Association                           MN
Laura Mirafuentes                           Big River Farms                                                                      MN
Lisa Kivirist                                       Co-author, Soil Sisters: A Toolkit for Women Farmers    WI
Natalie Siderius                               MN Dept. of Employment & Economic Development      MN
Pam Bishop                                      Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation                        MN
Rhys Williams                                  The Good Acre                                                                        MN
Ryan Pesch                                       University of Minnesota Extension                                     MN
Elena Byrne                                       Renewing the Countryside                                                   MN                            

2019 Planning Committee 

Renewing the Countryside strengthens rural areas by championing and supporting rural communities, farmers, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, activists and other people who are renewing the countryside through sustainable and innovative initiatives, businesses, and projects. We do this by sharing stories of rural renewal, building awareness and support for sustainable endeavors, connecting people interested in sustainable rural development to each other, providing practical assistance and networking opportunities for those working to improve rural America, and fostering connections between urban and rural people.
The Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program began in 2003 and offers in-depth business planning and technical assistance to Vermont's working lands enterprises. We have worked with over 700 farm, forest product and food businesses across the state to improve business, production, and financial management, develop feasibility studies, access financing for growth, and plan for retirement and transitions to new ownership. We are a program of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, and work with an exceptional network of partner organizations and private consultants to deliver business planning and technical assistance services, including the Intervale Center, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, University of Vermont (UVM) Extension, the Center for Agricultural Economy, the Vermont Woodlands Association, Vermont Agricultural Development Program, and Land for Good.
​The Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation (HVADC) is the only economic development agency in the Hudson Valley with a specific focus on the viability of the agricultural economy in the region. HVADC’s charge is to enhance the agricultural sector in the Hudson Valley by assisting both new and existing agri-businesses, and supporting policies and regulations that recognize and support the agricultural economy. Our services are carefully designed to promote the Hudson Valley as an attractive, viable region for agriculture and to foster growth and development of the agricultural sector through a creative program or marketing, promotion and the provision and coordination of financial and other resources. 
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The mission of the American Farmland Trust is to protect farmland, promote sound farming practices, and keep farmers on the land. We do this through advocacy, education, innovation, investigation and collaboration.