New Haven Farms is very pleased to announce the appointment of Russell Moore as Executive Director beginning February 6, 2017. Russell’s broad and deep nonprofit leadership encompasses local, regional and national organizational experience. His diverse experience and expertise in organizational development, fundraising and program development will be a tremendous asset as New Haven Farms continues to engage more local residents in urban agriculture, nutritional education and effective chronic disease management. Charles Negaro, New Haven Farm’s Board Chair stated: “We had a deep pool of talented applicants but what separated Russ’s candidacy is his demonstrated experience in growing nonprofit organizations and his passionate commitment to issues regarding food security and food justice.”
As a collaborative and visionary leader, Russell’s outstanding work began at the University of Vermont where he and several students initiated a food co-op in a low-income neighborhood to ensure better access to healthy food. Also at the University of Vermont Russell served as a University Year in Action Vista Volunteer with a local nonprofit dedicated to housing, food access and health care equity for low-income residents. Russell also worked on national and international food security projects while working for Oxfam America. He spent five years as the Executive Director, American Diabetes Association, Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter orchestrating all program, fundraising and advocacy activities. Most recently, Russell served as Interim Executive Director, Poughkeepsie Farm Project, a member-supported 12 acre farm, providing education about food and farming and improving access to healthy locally-grown food to the community.
Russ shared his perspective of why New Haven Farms resonated so powerfully with him in terms of a professional opportunity: “I am truly excited and energized by the mission, leadership and programs of New Haven Farms. Its innovative approach to collaborating with local health care providers to demonstratively improve the lives of people living with chronic disease is path-breaking and inspiring. By combining access to healthy produce, nutritional education and engagement in growing food in an urban environment, NHF serves as a catalyst to promote healthy living and effective disease management to some of New Haven’s most economically disadvantaged residents.”
James Jenkins will be stepping down as Executive Director in advance of his family’s relocation to the Boston area in the coming months. He leaves New Haven Farms having opened the Ferry Street Farm with a year-round greenhouse, affordable farm stand, and Incubator Garden partnership with the New Haven Land Trust. James also developed the Community Advisory Board and Community Health Ambassador Program to increase resident involvement in New Haven Farms’ mission. Advancing partnerships with health providers, James also built relationships in the Hill neighborhood, where a farm expansion and increased wellness programs are planned. “It has been my privilege to serve New Haven Farms and our city’s residents alongside our staff, board members, volunteers, and community partners. Our farms embody collaborative, transformational spaces where exceptional people work hard to improve their lives, as well as their families and neighbors. I look forward to spending spring in New Haven–a home I cherish–in the dirt as Jacqueline’s #1 farm volunteer.”
Two additional personnel announcements accompany the excitement around New Haven Farms’ increased capacity and collective leadership–Jacqueline Maisonpierre, in her fifth growing season, has been promoted to Farm Director; and Liz Marsh, in her third year, will become the first Wellness Program Manager. Both Jacqueline and Liz bring tremendous institutional and community knowledge to the New Haven Farms Leadership Team.
New Haven Farms promotes health and community development through urban agriculture. The Farm-Based Wellness Program provides cooking, gardening, and nutrition education to medically referred patients and their families at risk for diet-related chronic disease. For inquiries, email info@newhavenfarms.org.