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 Ralph K. Morris Foundation MN
Jacquelyn Evers The Land Connection IL
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 Ralph K. Morris Foundation MN
Jacquelyn Evers The Land Connection IL
2019 Regional Advisory Committee
Jan Joannides Renewing the Countryside MN
Megan Forcia Healthy Food, Healthy Lives, MN
University of Minnesota
Danielle Heiny 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
Megan Forcia Healthy Food, Healthy Lives, MN
University of Minnesota
Danielle Heiny 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.

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.