Benjamin works to increase access to healthy, local produce in neighborhoods lacking affordable food options, and to promote healthy lifestyle choices. Benjamin joined Arcadia in 2011 after completing a fellowship with Freedom House, a Washington, DC nonprofit. He has extensive experience in both food retail management and kitchen work, including professional food industry development at the Culinary Institute of America. As a former after-school program leader, Benjamin established a campus garden for a local middle school while studying at the University of Florida. Benjamin graduated summa cum laude with degrees in Religion, Political Science, Environmental Studies and European Union Studies. Benjamin is pleased to be joining the honorable rank of School Bus Driver.
Stephen holds the main vegetable production and row crop education for Arcadia. His job and his passion are not only to grow amazing produce and get it into peoples hands and mouths but also to excite people about the delicious, nutritious and downright weird things that can come from the farm. He comes with years of experience managing farms that focus on education and producing this nation’s next generation of innovative farmers. By collaborating with other farmers, researchers, engineers, architects, and others across many fields, he is constantly striving to find original solutions to grow the best veggies possible. His quest to craft the world’s greatest salad mix consumes his every waking moment.
Through cooking demonstrations and one on one customer interaction, Juju strives to improve knowledge of uses for the array of seasonal vegetables and culinary herbs that the Market carries. As SNAP Outreach Coordinator, she discusses eligibility for these and other resources such as WIC and the Senior Commodities Program to increase DC clients' access to food. Juju joined Arcadia in May 2011, drawn by the opportunity to further her passion for nutrition education and food justice. She previously worked teaching gardening, nutrition and cooking to children through the Capital Area Food Bank, designed a project and received a grant for a women's nutrition and financial development program as an Agricultural Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay. She is also currently studying Therapeutic Herbalism and homeschools her two sons.
Pamela comes to Arcadia from Flavor and Foodshed, magazines that focused on increasing the demand for, and the availability of, local, sustainable food in the Capital Foodshed. She cut her teeth in Washington as a career national security journalist -- with side trips to Afghanistan and Iraq -- and a brief foray into politics on Capitol Hill. She brings to Arcadia a deep commitment to its mission, a large and expanding network of farmers and food advocates, and a great reputation within the sustainable food community.
Morgan manages Arcadia’s education programs including Farm Field Trips, Arcadia Farm Camp, and the Get Growing! Workshops. She also helps maintain an inspiring environment in the Groundhog Garden, our educational space for kids. Morgan has a bachelor’s degree in Health & Exercise Science from Wake Forest University where her interest in nutrition first began. Before coming to Arcadia, she spent several years working with low-income families in Appalachia through the Appalachia Service Project. While working closely with these families, she grew to understand the complex issues regarding equal access to healthy foods. She has a passion for combating low-income food issues through improved education, access, and sustainability. Morgan loves watching young minds grow while visiting Arcadia Farm.
Matt is responsible for organizational development, strategic partnerships, and outreach and communication for Arcadia’s programs. Matt spent the last 14 years actively working on environmental and agricultural programs in the DC nonprofit community. His experience as the founding Director of the Accokeek Foundation’s Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship provides a great understanding of the issues at the heart of Arcadia’s mission. His academic experience includes a Master’s degree in Biology, with scientific research in the fields of Ecology, Pollination Ecology, Ornithology, and Herpetology. Matt loves to garden and eat good food, and is excited to have a job that incorporates both of those loves.
Erin got her start in agriculture working on a model organic farm while studying abroad in Costa Rica. Since then she has helped to execute several community development projects with youth volunteers in Latin America as a staff member for AMIGOS de las Americas. When she's not at Arcadia, Erin is an educator and counselor for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Erin's position as a counselor has allowed her to help the individuals that she supports to establish and work towards personal nutrition and wellness goals. Erin is excited about the opportunity to learn more about sustainable agriculture and to share that learning experience with others.
Anne Craig is a Spring Farm Education Intern. She is also a full time mom with two active, nature-loving boys. She was an elementary school teacher in Fairfax County for many years prior to having children. Volunteering at her local schools, including the Outdoor Classroom, has become a way to continue her interest in teaching. She loves to garden, and loves it even more when sharing it with children. Her boys sometimes enjoy the harvesting more than the work in their own gardens. In order to encourage her own children about the importance of eating healthy, she has become interested in local and real foods by visiting Farmers Markets, canning food, and growing her own food.
Cary became involved in community vegetable gardens and experiential education while in college in Saint Louis. He fused the two pursuits when he came home to D.C. by working for D.C. Schoolyard Greening and Living Classrooms. He is passionate about the joy and awe the outdoors and environmental science can inspire in inner city children, and seeks to incorporate his background in design into all areas of environmental education.
Jenny recently graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an MS in Environment and Development. Her studies primarily focused on food justice issues and sustainable food systems. Jenny has always been passionate about education and cannot wait to continue to inspire kids to be interested in the environment and science through hands-on field trips. She is thrilled to be joining Arcadia for the spring season!
Aisha is currently pursuing a PhD in food science from Kansas State University. She graduated from Virginia Tech with degrees in Biology and Psychology and received a Masters in biodefense from Georgetown University. One might say she loves to learn. She also loves to eat. Aisha hopes to understand food from ‘farm to fork’. She has interned as a food and wine reporter, worked in the restaurant industry, crop-mobbed, and volunteers at the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Aisha is looking forward to getting her hands dirty on Arcadia Farm while teaching the next generation of farmers and gastronomes.
Gretchen is very interested in nutrition and excited about the opportunity to teach children about nutritious foods. She has worked as a Nutrition Intern and Dining Educator for UVa Dining and as a Chef Assistant at the Charlottesville Cooking School, and also spent a summer working on a small rural farm. Last spring, she graduated from the University of Virginia, and has recently moved to the DC area.
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