Meet the Board!

MEET THE TEAM!

Who are the passionate people behind the scenes at FoFF? We are continuing to meet the team and introducing our passionate and dedicated board members at Friends of Family Farmers. We couldn’t do what we do without them!

LUCY VALADEZ

What is your place in the local food system?

I am an organic farmer who works with local schools and our food banks to provide quality produce to our community.

What brought you to FoFF?

I don’t have a policy background but raising future farmers and the struggles I know they will one day have to face, I want to try to help make some sort of an impact now. To help make a path for their future.

Why do you believe in FoFF’s Mission?

After hearing so many wonderful things about what FoFF does to advocate for equality and justice for all farmers and being a farmer of color, I wanted to be part of this amazing organization. Their drive to support and advocate for small farms is inspiring and all the information they bring to the table is amazing. Helping farmers navigate the process of finding land to nourish others is also something I have never heard of before and I often hear of farmers’ struggles with land access so I was excited to join.

MAYA TAYLOR

What is your place in the local food system?

I am an eater who supports local family farms, pasture-based agriculture, and garden education in schools.

What brought you to FoFF?

I joined FoFF’s board in order to contribute my professional background in environmental science to FoFF. I specialize in water and soil remediation and have seen firsthand the effects of large scale industrial agriculture on human health and the environment. It is important to me that our food production methods do not result in damage to our air, land, and water. I am a mother of two young children and believe in conserving our natural resources for future generations.

Why do you believe in FoFF’s Mission?

I believe in supporting sustainable agriculture that benefits our local community, environment, and economy.

NICOLE BRUN-COTTAN

What is your place in the local food system?

I am an eater and a lover of plants. I enjoy cultivating food and flowers in our bountiful urban garden, and cooking to share.

Why do you believe in FoFF’s Mission?

Small family farms preserve a way of life that is connected to the seasons, the land, and the ecosystems that support us all. Small farmers are affected by policy, but they often need support in the legislature to have a voice in crafting the laws that affect their practices.

What brought you to FoFF?

I believe that supporting small farmers is a form of resistance. What they are doing to continue to exist in the world, and I want to help.

ERIN MAIDLOW

What is your place in the local food system?

I’m an eater, advocate, and supporter in the food system network by operating a commercial kitchen and farm to school organization.

What brought you to FoFF?

I was drawn to FoFF after participating in an InFarmation series several years ago. The work that FoFF puts in around advocating for farmers rights, diversity, equity, inclusion in agriculture, and building a resilient food system was something I knew I wanted to play a larger role in supporting.

Why do you believe in FoFF’s Mission?

The mission of FoFF really resonated with me as policies and programs to advance sustainable, economically viability in agriculture are vital to creating a more just food system. FoFF’s commitment to serving Oregon producers and elevating their voices when working in policy and advocacy are what makes this organization stand out and I’m proud to support this mission.

SUSAN RICHMAN

What is your place in the local food system?


I consider myself primarily a steward of the soil. As a farmer, I am working toward no tillage, water cycle restoration, and biological diversity above and below ground. The farm produces 100% grass fed beef, born and raised on site, beautiful, broody chickens, ducks, and eggs. Lil Starts Farm grows vegetables, herbs, flowers, and plant starts on the farm.

What brought you to FoFF?

Kendra and Laura M. brought me to Friends of Family Farmers!

Why do you believe in FoFF’s Mission?

There is no organization as dedicated to the success of Oregon’s smaller, distributed, local community based farmers. The mission is one that has the power to change the future. Everyone who cares about the quality of the food they eat. Everyone who wants to protect their right to choose where and how far their food travels. Everyone who is looking for how to return the planet to a healthy balance. FOFF is working for all of us.

MICHAELA HAMMER

What is your place in the local food system?

I operate a small organic plant nursery that specializes in locally adapted veggies, pollinator-friendly flowers, and culinary and medicinal herbs. After many years of working on organic veggie and educational farms, I’m happy to be providing communities in the Willamette Valley with healthy, vibrant seedlings for their gardens and farms!

What brought you to FoFF?

FoFF has been inspiring me for many years with their policy work and support of small farmers in Oregon. Running a farming business is deeply satisfying, but I joined the board of FoFF to contribute in a bigger way to food systems change.

Why do you believe in FoFF’s Mission?

Oregon has such a vibrant farming economy, largely due to sound policies that make it possible for small and mid sized farmers to thrive. We need to continue supporting and expanding policies and programs that make farming viable, and FoFF does this work excellently!