Board Members

Mardy Townsend raises grass grassfed beef for the regional market in Windsor.

Local farmers at the market

Debbie Senger has 30 years of accounting experience and co-owns Hubbard Run Farm.

Julie Wayman works as a Community Development Educator at OSU Extension- Ashtabula County where she focuses on local food systems. She currently chairs the Ashtabula Local Food Network- a networking group for local food stakeholders, and helps publish the Ashtabula Local Food Guide, an annual publication featuring local farms.

Elizabeth Dean is a voraciously curious and a compassionate advocate, who believes that equity and advocacy are fundamental for long term change. In order for us to build a just and meaningful food system we must first confront the systemic oppression, exclusion and exploitation of our modern neoliberal paradigm.

Patrick Turner and his wife established Octagon Acres, a family farm in Monroe Township. With help from their two free-range kids, they grow organic seedlings, produce and raise heritage livestock.  Patrick is a “foodie” who values good food and is excited to cultivate opportunities for other farmers, gardeners and eaters in Ashtabula County and beyond.

After two decades away, Daniel Mistak returned to his native Ohio to steward a small farm rooted in ecological care and community connection. A recovering attorney, he now focuses on loving the land as a foundation for healing, belonging, and building community—values he brings to his role on the Healthy Roots board.

Leah Wolfe, MPH started the Trillium Center in 2012 to share knowledge and create experiences in community health issues, herbalism, foraging and other aspects of localized health and healing. She brings a public health and naturalist perspective to the table.

Rees Davis has been working on the local food scene for 20+ years after retiring to Ashtabula. He has been an OSU Master Gardener since 2006 and the Ashtabula Farmers’ Market manager for 19 years. He helped organize and serves as an officer of the NE Ohio Pollinator Society. Rees and his wife, Meghan, owned Honey Hollow Herb Farm selling plants at their farm and local farmers’ markets.