OFRF Staff
People are always surprised by how small our staff is. It’s because we create such a huge organic ruckus on the hill, in the field, on the streets, and on the web. Our work for organic farmers goes well beyond a ‘day job’. It’s a belief in the vision.
Brise Tencer (she/her/hers)
Executive Director
brise[at]ofrf.org
Dominica Navarro Martinez (she/her/ella)
Deputy Director
dominica[at]ofrf.org
Thelma Velez (she/her/ella)
Research & Education Program Director
thelma[at]ofrf.org
Leah Lawson (she/her/hers)
Partnerships & Development Director
leah[at]ofrf.org
Ashley Dulaney (she/her/hers)
Communications Director
ashley[at]ofrf.org
Mark Schonbeck
Contractor
Research, Education & Policy
Gordon Merrick (he/him/his)
Senior Policy & Programs Manager
gordon[at]ofrf.org
Mary Hathaway (she/her/hers)
Research & Education Program Manager
mary[at]ofrf.org
Elizabeth Tobey (she/her/hers)
Communications Manager
elizabeth[at]ofrf.org
Brian Geier (he/him/his)
Communications Manager
brian[at]ofrf.or
Kelsey Grimsley (they/them)
Office and Administrative Manager
office[at]ofrf.org
831-426-6606
Heather Estrada (she/her/hers)
Research & Education Senior Scientist
heather[at]ofrf.org
Rebecca Champagne (she/her/hers)
Conservation Scientist
rebecca[at]ofrf.org
Vinnie Trometter (he/him/his)
Policy Fellow
vinnie[at]ofrf.org
OFRF Board
Our board includes professionals in the organic industry, many of whom are organic farmers. Collectively, they pack a powerfully passionate organic punch. Please get to know the people who lead with the very best of intention on behalf of organic farmers in America.
April Jones Thatcher
Board President
Founder and Farmer, April Joy Farm
Keith Richards
Board Chair
Retired, Formerly Southern SAWG
Darryl Wong
Board Secretary & Vice Chair
Executive Director, Center for Agroecology
Lou Kozma
Board Treasurer
President, Hirzel Farms
Mike Dill
Director of Advocacy & Sustainability, Organically Grown Company
Catherine Greene
Natural Resource Economist
Bryan Hager
Crager Hager Farm
Nichelle Harriot
Policy Director, HEAL Food Alliance
Kokoasse Kpomblekou-A
Professor of Soil & Environmental Chemistry Director, Organic Agriculture & Biogas Production
Carrie-Anne Palmeri
Organic Program Manager, Nature’s Path Organic Foods
Mary Phipps
Founder and Farmer, Orchard Pond
Tim Schultz
Principal, LeadershipOne
Charlotte Vallaeys
Organic Expert, General Mills
Bryan Wood
Director of Farm Resources, Organic Valley
Organic Stewardship Council (OSC)
The Organic Stewardship Council consists of farmers from different regions, agricultural backgrounds, and diverse farming communities, as well as representatives from farmer associations and certification bodies. These stewards bring together diverse voices to shape OFRF’s work and elevate the priorities of organic and transitioning farmers nationwide.
Albert Straus
Founder and Executive Chair, Straus Family Creamery
Anna Jones-Crabtree
Organic Farmer, Vilicus Farms
Brooke Gentile
Executive Director, Organic Association of Kentucky
John McKeon
Director of Organic Integrity and Compliance, Taylor Farms Retail
Jordan Settlage
Organic Dairy Farmer, Settlage & Settlage Farms
Leonard Diggs
Director of Operations and Farming, Pie Ranch
Meg Moynihan
Organic Farmer, Derrydale Farm
OFRF Interns
OFRF periodically hosts part-time interns who receive academic credit in exchange for 12-15 hours of work per week. Interns help us with the critical day-to-day tasks that keep our organization running, while we offer interesting work and learning opportunities. You can learn more about current internship opportunities here.
Maia Garby (she/her/hers)
Research & Education Intern
research[at]ofrf.org