STAFF AND BOARD

Jackie joined Farmers Rising in 2019 and provides organizational leadership and strategic direction to the organization. She ensures Farmers Rising fulfills its mission by keeping regenerative farmers at the forefront of our work, and through impactful programming, collaborative farmer networks, expanded access to land and local food, and by fostering opportunities for vibrant, food-centered communities to develop. Jackie also operates a 200-acre regenerative farm in Pecatonica, IL, specializing in 100% grass-finished beef. Combining her organizational management skills with practical farming expertise uniquely positions her to create meaningful impact in local food economies and environmental stewardship. She is dedicated to transforming our food system through thoughtful leadership, collaborative initiatives, and implementation of sustainable farming methods that benefit producers, consumers, communities, and the planet.

jackie.b@farmersrising.org

Trisha came to Farmers Rising in 2018 as an On Farm Educator. In 2019, Trisha moved into the role of Administration Director. In the spring of 2023, Trisha transitioned into her current role of On Farm Education Director, where her heart truly lies!

Trisha attended Rock Valley College and Northwestern University, and has a deep passion for Environmental, Social, and Climate Justice. She loves working at the Learning Center and is consistently inspired by her co-workers, saying, "This team of people is dynamic and passionate. Being able to take “Goat Breaks” and to hold and play with baby goats is pretty amazing too."  She also enjoys serving the community in a number of environmental conservation roles including the Trail Stewardship program with the Winnebago County Forest Preserve and as a River Watch participant.

trisha@farmersrising.org

Tedd began working with Farmers Rising as an on-farm educator in 2011. Since 2012 he has worked with the Roots & Wings program in Rockford, first as the Marketing Manager and now as the Program Director. Tedd brings more than 20 years of sales experience to his work at Farmers Rising and has successfully expanded the youth Community Supported Agriculture program from 5 to over 40 CSA share holders, established innovative markets at workplaces of health-minded organizations, and started on and off site market stands at Blackhawk Courts and other Rockford Housings Authority complexes. Tedd recognizes that working within our urban communities in this way can have positive impact, socially, economically, and educationally, while providing food security through urban agriculture.

tedd@farmersrising.org

Kate joined the Farmers Rising team in January 2022. With her husband, Andy, Kate owns and operates a free-range egg farm in Pecatonica, Illinois where they are currently raising their three daughters and 600 chickens. Previously, Kate worked as a high school teacher in Des Moines, Iowa where she taught Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science. Kate holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame where she double majored in Anthropology and Environmental Science. Kate also holds her M.A. in Teaching for Secondary Science from Iowa State University. Working with the team at the Learning Center feels like the culmination of a journey for Kate; bringing together her professional experience with her passions for education and farming.  She says, “I love how we reach a wide range of farmers. I truly believe that everyone, from farmers who are just starting out to seasoned experts, can learn something new to improve their farming business.”

kate@farmersrising.org

AJ studied political science and environmental studies at Augustana College. He joined the Farmer Training department at Farmers Rising in 2018, transitioned to the role of Administrative Assistant in late 2019, and now works as our Administrative Manager. His favorite thing about working at Farmers Rising is hanging out with Ninja, our resident farm cat.

​AJ lives with his wife, Olivia, their dog, Josie, and their three cats: Buffy, Leo, and Julian. When he's not working, he's trying to keep up with his garden, playing music, surfskating, or watching movies (ideally with his pets close by).

andrew.b@farmersrising.org

Jillae is a first-generation farmer,  passionate educator,  and founder of Wanderin' Barefoot Farm,  established in 2016.  With nearly a decade of hands-on experience in organic farming, Jillae specializes in growing nutrient-rich vegetables, providing produce to private clients, and operating a small-scale micro-bakery rooted in sustainable practices.

Her farming journey was shaped by a deep desire to connect people with where their food comes from. Through farm education and community outreach, she aims to empower others to make informed, healthy choices while fostering a love for the land.

Before launching her farm, she spent 15 years in the restaurant industry—an experience that sharpened her understanding of food, flavor, and the importance of quality ingredients. Today, that background continues to influence everything she grows, bakes, and teaches.

At Wanderin' Barefoot Farm, it’s more than just farming—it's about cultivating connection, resilience, and nourishment from the ground up.

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jillae@farmersrising.org

Ritchie hails from the low, red clay and sandhills of North Florida. In his past, he studied environmental science and policy near the dredged sand beaches surrounding Tampa Bay and served amongst the limestone cragged Appalachian foothills of South Middle Tennessee with AmeriCorps.

Ritchie has worked with high tunnel horticulture, aquaponics, regenerative grazing, and small organic vegetable operations in a temperate continental climate. He has also coordinated between educational institutions, students, and communities developing and running environmental and food production focused programming. He is a member of the National Young Farmers Coalition and the current secretary of the Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers Chapter.

ritchie@farmersrising.org

Andy has always had a passion for food and nature. He's spent over twenty years in the restaurant industry and has been blessed to work for some of the best chefs in our area.

​In the summer of 2020 Andy opened Man Bundt Bakery which specializes in plant-based baked goods with a heavy focus on locally sourced ingredients. It brings him great joy showing the kids who attend our camps how tasty farm to table can be! Andy thinks it's wonderful introducing kids to vegetables they may not have ever seen before.

In his free time you can find Andy hanging with his family, hiking, or in his garden.

There are no strangers, only friends we haven't made yet.

andrew.s@farmersrising.org

Bertha was born on a farm in Mexico where she lived until the age of 5. Later, Bertha received her accounting degree in Durango, and soon after moved to the United States.  Bertha joined the Farmers Rising as Livestock Manager, caring for our livestock and directing the goat breeding program.

Bertha is passionate about all animals and loves working with them. Her talents extend beyond the flocks and herds at Farmers Rising: Bertha is also our resident soap-maker! Using goat milk from our herd, Bertha creates the deliciously scented, beautifully sculpted bars of soap you can find on our Farm Store shelves. 

bertha.j@farmersrising.org

Randy Mermel has almost two decades of experience working as an Educator at Farmers Rising. He graduated from Arizona State University with a BS degree in Environmental Science. He has a passion for sharing the farm as a living classroom with people of all ages and backgrounds. He specializes in teaching about sustainable/natural building, ecology & restoration, wilderness survival skills and organic gardening (with an emphasis on composting). Randy enjoys teaching about regenerative farming solutions, and especially loves to witness participants very first farm experiences - from sampling fresh broccoli from the garden, milking a goat or splashing in Kinnikinnick Creek! He lives with his family in a geodesic dome in Roscoe and loves to travel and explore the natural wonders of the world.

randy@farmersrising.org

Brad joined the Farmers Rising board in early 2021 after spending much of 2020 cooking at home with the CSA boxes from various local farms. While he has always been a passionate home cook and interested in local food, the pandemic really fertilized (pun intended) this part of his life and drove him to join the board. Brad owns and operates Second Bedroom Studio where he works as music composer and producer in Chicago. He has collaborated on projects with notable artists such as Yvie Oddly (RuPaul's Drag Race Season 11 winner), Shea Couleé (RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 5 winner), and Chris Redd [SNL, Disjointed]. He currently composes music for podcasts with iHeartRadio and has written original music for over 20 musicals that have been produced in New York, Los Angeles and of course, Chicago. Brad is also a member of comedy hip hop trio Handsome Naked (NBC's Bring The Funny, Billboard Comedy top 10, #2 iTunes comedy chart). He loves the Green Bay Packers, his dog Bootsy, and his incredible, supporting wife.

Jamie is obsessed about the food we eat for our health and how we grow our food for the wellbeing of our families and the planet. She is passionate about learning and serving by assisting families and local farmers grow and provide healthy, sustainable food for our community. Jamie is a CPA and has her Masters in Business Administration and works with a local engineering firm.  She is also an educator in the accounting field teaching at various colleges and universities. Jamie and her family have 5 acres of property where they experiment, grow and share their food sources utilizing and learning as much as possible about regenerative farming. 

Part of their land is also registered as a natural pollinator habitat through the Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation. Any extra time she devotes to being out in nature with family, gardening, reading and trying to master the perfect loaf of sourdough bread.

Andy is a Farm Outreach Specialist for the Food Finance Institute and SBDC at University of Wisconsin.  Andy works with entrepreneurial farm businesses in Wisconsin to build farm financial management capacity and access the capital they need to grow.  Andy has expertise in farm business and marketing, agricultural lending, and grantsmanship. Prior to joining FFI, Andy worked as an Agriculture and Commercial Loan Officer at a community bank, providing commercial credit to family farms and small businesses in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.  His portfolio included crop farms, dairy farms, and a wide variety of local food farms.  Before that, Andy worked in university extension in both Iowa and Illinois, providing programming on the business and marketing side of small farms, local foods, and sustainable agriculture.  Andy earned undergraduate degrees from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois, and a Master of Business Administration from Iowa State University.  Andy grew up on a dairy farm, and now lives with his wife and three daughters on a small-scale poultry farm just down the road, where they produce free-range brown eggs for local restaurants, retail stores, and farmers markets.

Rebecca was first introduced to community gardens in her youth.  Seven years ago she rediscovered her love for gardening with a small balcony garden. About 5 years ago she started maintaining a spot in her local community garden, so she really understands how needed and useful these gardens can be. She believes there is a vital connection between the food we eat & our overall health.

​Rebecca earned her MBA from Florida A&M University and is a proud Rattler. When she is not working, she loves helping the community & participates in many service projects with her sorority and other community organizations.

Charles Johannsen grew up working in his family’s greenhouse business and, later, spent a few years doing organic gardening and farming. His love of plants, the natural world, and good farming runs deep.

​He has been a small-scale filmmaker for 50 years, putting together numerous pieces about conservation and education subjects. Beginning in 2007, he made a number of videos for Farmers Rising. He has a B.A. from Stanford University and an MA in Teaching from Rockford University.

​Cliff joined the Farmers Rising board in July 2014.  He is the founder and head farmer at All Grass Farms LLC, a regenerative livestock farm producing grass fed beef, raw Guernsey milk, and pasture-raised pork, chicken, turkeys, and ducks on approximately 560 organic acres with farm locations in Dundee, Illinois and Elkhorn, Wisconsin. 

​He is passionate about rebuilding a local food system that prioritizes nutrient-dense, chemical free foods, grown in healthy soils, and produced in a manner that respects the community, the environment, and the animals that feed us.  Prior to starting his transition to farming in 2011, he worked in the insurance industry in Chicago for over 20 years.

Gina Polito Jahn grew up in the area and lives just a few miles from the Farmers Rising campus with her husband, two daughters and two Labradors. She first discovered Farmers Rising when she was looking for a summer camp for her girls and has been a big fan ever since! Gina has a MS in outdoor education and has worked at several environmental education centers. She was part of a team at the Field Museum in Chicago that developed the Underground Adventure exhibit on the diverse and interconnected life found in the soil. She then moved into higher education as a community college biology and environmental science instructor and earned an MS in biology. From there she transitioned to a career in university research administration and grant writing. Currently Gina works at a non-profit in Wisconsin which provides research development and grant support to the UW system campuses. Gina spends her free time shuttling kids to and from their activities and trying to maintain a small herb garden. She is excited and honored to be able to contribute to the local gem that is Farmers Rising.

Steve was born and raised on a family farm in DeKalb County. He has his BS in Engineering from University of IL and an MBA from Northern Illinois University. He worked on the Faivre Family Farm for 20 years during which time he helped develop one of the first commercially available yield monitors. He was then recruited by Case Corporation (now CNH Global) to manage the development of Case's advanced farming system products. In 2000 he joined Deere and Company's Agricultural Equipment Division where he served as Director of Innovation for John Deere AgriServices. Over the years he has been awarded 21 patents for precision farming concepts and products.

​Upon retirement he has been active locally serving on the DeKalb County Board, DeKalb Area Heritage Association, and the DeKalb County History Center. His model train layout and woodworking shop also keep him busy!

​Shelby has a passion for promoting local food systems and regenerative agriculture.  Shelby has a multi-disciplinary background in conservation, sustainability, communications, research, planning, policy, and economics.  She holds a BSc in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and an MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College London. 

​Shelby currently works for American Farmland Trust (AFT) as their Midwest Senior Program Manager.  Prior to AFT, Shelby worked for a local government agency and several conservation non-profits.  When not at work,  you can find her testing out new plants and perennials in the garden and spending time with her baby Arlo and farmer husband Mike.

With over 17 years of experience in youth development, K-12 social-emotional learning, and community services, Annie is dedicated to helping young leaders grow and thrive. She believes that fostering youth growth is a shared responsibility and that every young person deserves the chance to explore and succeed in the field of their choice.

Throughout her career, Annie has held various roles, including Youth Services Manager, Manager of K-12 Student Leadership, and Impact & Partnerships Lead. Today, she connects partners with schools and communities to support children’s health, education, and sense of community through food education.

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When she's not making an impact in the world of youth development, Annie enjoys sinking a shot in billiards, discovering the next great Netflix series, or whipping up new and exciting recipes in the kitchen.

​Shelby currently works for American Farmland Trust (AFT) as their Midwest Senior Program Manager.  Prior to AFT, Shelby worked for a local government agency and several conservation non-profits.  When not at work,  you can find her testing out new plants and perennials in the garden and spending time with her baby Arlo and farmer husband Mike.