Who We Are

FarmFolkCityFolk is a not for profit society that works to cultivate a local, sustainable food system. Our projects provide access to & protection of foodlands; support local growers and producers; and engage communities in the celebration of local food.

"Something happens to people who plant seeds- it is impossible to watch a plant grow and flourish without getting a sense of the miracle of all life."
-Herb Barbolet, Co-founder of FarmFolk/CityFolk

Stewardship Team (Board of Directors)

Tegan Adams - Sustainability TV
Allison Bennett, CA - Stay-at-Home mom
Erin Boswell - Healthy Planet Kitchens
Vijay Cuddeford - Farm Radio International
Michael Dary – Manager of Resources Consulting Group, Accenture
Jodi Garwood - Communications Specialist - Accenture
Tracy Ho – Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Heather Johnstone - Executive Director, Edible Garden Project
Tricia Sedgwick - Registered Holistic Nutritionist
Gabriella Szerze  – Associate Lawyer, Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP
Julie Tartaglia - Retail Business Services Innovation and Collaboration Lead - Accenture
David Wilson - Manager of Produce Operations - Choices Markets

Staff

Nicholas Scapillati, Executive Director ~ Nicholas is a dedicated activist and conservationist. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biogeography, from McMaster University and has worked in conservation for over 15 years. First with the David Suzuki Foundation as a researcher & project coordinator working on Climate Change, Marine Conservation, and the Great Bear Rainforest project.

While at the Foundation Nicholas worked as a researcher on David Suzuki’s best selling book The Sacred Balance, later developing it into a cross Canada multi media tour to launch David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge, and co-producing a television special for the Discovery Channel based on the tour.

As the Executive Director of the Musqueam Ecosystem Conservation Society Nicholas incorporated both science and traditional ecological knowledge into the organizations many programs including a BioBlitz of the Musqueam Creek ecosystem; the first of its kind in Vancouver.  He has extensive experience in program management, fundraising, coordinating multi-level stakeholder processes, and relationship building particular with First Nations communities.

Urban agriculture has been a tradition in Nicholas’ family for generations that has cultivated his love of food and passion for cooking. Nicholas lives in Vancouver with his wife Kas and their dog Sitka.

Heather Pritchard, Farm Program Manager ~ a long time food activist and co-founder/farmer with Glorious Organics Co-op in the Fraser Valley. She is the grand daughter of H. G. Neufeld, who has been inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame for his work as a plant breeder in the early development of canola seed.

Bonita Jo Magee, Project Manager ~ Bonita's education includes an Environmental Studies Diploma (with honors). Her work experience is diverse - including computer consulting, health food manufacturing, and campaigning for the protection of wilderness and wildlife. While working with FarmFolk/CityFolk, Bonita is educating herself about farming and making plans to purchase farm/ranchland with her family and a handful of friends.

Brain Harris - Photographic products and projects ~ Since 1987, Brian has used his international award winning photography and project management skills to raise funds and public profile for not-for-profit organisations. In the fall of 2008 a FarmFolk/CityFolk yearly photographic calendar was launched. Brian is currently working on the next calendar and on a FarmFolk/CityFolk 2010 exhibition with the Vancouver Museum called Beautiful Bounty: eating our way back home. Brian Harris Photography

Tallulah Winkleman - Administration and Farm Tour Coordinator ~ Tallulah is a shareholder of Fraser Common Farm, a certified organic farm in Langley, where she periodically farms. She is also an actor and a mother.

Leisa Yee - Get Local Project Coordinator ~ Leisa has a combined 18 years of experience in marketing and finance in various businesses and non-profit organizations and has obtained a Marketing Management Diploma. As a Board Member and Co-Chair of Marketing for the Steveston Community Society, Leisa recognized the need for better access to local farmers and founded and organized Richmond's Steveston Farmers Market. In addition to raising her daughter, Leisa volunteers at the Terra Nova School Yard Project, a non-profit organization where kids have fun farming and are educated about food and agriculture.

Consultants and Contract Staff

Melanie Banas, Vancouver Island Feast of Fields Coordinator - Melanie has helped FarmFolk/CityFolk coordinate our Island Feast for many years. Melanie lives in Victoria and juggles her time between motherhood and the Feast, among other activities.

Chris Hergesheimer, Grain Chain Coordinator ~ Chris organizes our Grain Chain project whilst he runs his own business, The Flour Peddler.

Barbara Joughin - Community Farms Endowment Fund Coordinator ~ Barbara is a professional writer providing documentation services and project management through her business, AAA WordSmith. She has collaborated in diverse community education and involvement initiatives for over 25 years as staff, volunteer and Board member. Barbara sits on the Vancouver Food Policy Council, where she led the development of Vancouver's food charter. She is also a trained chef, certified electronic communications technician, herbalist, and farmer wannabe. Passionate about all aspects of food and an ardent gardener and seed saver, Barbara is particularly interested in seed security and wants more people to know where their food comes from.

Michael Marrapese, Communications & Technology ~ Michael is our resident communications and technology guru. Our webmaster and newsletter editor, he also produces promotional materials, writes public interest articles, and meets the challenges of the ever-evolving world of technology in a limited-budget, not-for-profit office. Michael is also an avid photographer whose photos elegantly don the pages of FarmFolk/CityFolk, the book. He is a member of the Universal Gospel Choir and a resident of the Fraser Common Farm Cooperative in the Fraser Valley.

Rhys Pender, Okanagan Feast of Fields Coordinator ~ Rhys is a wine educator, freelance wine writer, wine judge and consultant to the industry. Rhys is the instructor for all of the WSETR and educational programs for Wine Plus+. To ensure a full understanding of wine in its key context, with food, Rhys has also completed a professional culinary diploma. Rhys is a regular contributor on wine to publications Wine Access, Scout Magazine, CityFood and Montecristo. In 2008, Rhys was named by Western Living magazine as one of the "Top 40 Foodies Under 40" in Western Canada. Click here to visit the Feast of Fields website

Trudi Simonson, Bookkeeper ~ Trudi has been our bookkeeper for years and when she is not keeping everyone's books, she produces honey and other products with her company, Purple Gold Apiaries.

Diane Thompson, Lower Mainland Feast of Fields Coordinator ~ Diane’s work as both a personal chef and a food blogger (Global Peasant) provides her with frequent opportunities to connect with Vancouver’s vibrant and richly diverse food community.

Interns

Andrew Hale, Youth Eco Internship Program ~ Andrew has been a farmer for the past 7 years at the Yarrow Ecovillage in Chilliwack. Andrew’s internship will be 9 months, starting April 1, 2010. Andrew will be helping us out wherever he can and is hoping to get some experience working with a non-profit organization.