Ann Leason, Farm to Market Coordinator

We recently welcomed Ann Leason to the NABC/PSFN team.

Ann is NABC’s new Farm to Market Coordinator where her focus will be to work with producers to market agricultural products like Skagit Fresh Beverages. She will also promote the new “Whidbey Island Grown” brand and logo, as well as, assist with other on-going projects like the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project to train new farmers.

Ann is passionate about agriculture and the importance of local farming. She spent the last three years as a volunteer for Cardo’s Sprout Farm in Ponder, Texas. Ann was also part of the operations team of a new CSA in the North Texas area. Currently, Ann is a member of the 2009 WSU Master Gardeners of Skagit County. She hopes this love of producing healthy local food will translate well into her new role as Farm to Market Coordinator I with the NABC. She and her husband moved to the Skagit Valley last year and are now enjoying the beauty of western Washington.

Ann comes to NABC through the AmeriCorps program. This one-year position is one of two new NABC positions supported by federal stimulus funds approved by Congress. AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, an independent federal agency whose mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

The NABC is currently accepting applications for a second Farm to Market Coordinator through the Americorps program. The focus of this position will be to assist farmers through NABC’s client services program; to develop new workshops, seminars and course; to assist with the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) projects to train new farmers; and to assist with the Puget Sound Food Network in recruiting farmers. Interested parties should contact the local Americorp office or visit their website at www.americorps.gov .