Our Team
Staff
Our staff work together both on-site and off to grow and distribute thousands of pounds of food each year, provide training to new farmers, and build community around food, nature, social justice, and educational opportunities.
Meg Caley, Co-Founder & Executive Director (she/her/ella)
Meg has a passion for bringing people together in the field and around the table, growing food and community simultaneously. The food system is a good lens for looking at all the inequities present in our society, and Meg sees community-scale farming as one platform for building an inclusive and just world for us all. She has been working on a variety of farms since graduating college in 2005, has experience as a classroom and outdoor educator, and loves helping children and adults alike discover their new favorite vegetable. She moved to Denver in 2008 after living and working as Head Cheesemaker at Cherry Grove Farm, a grassfed meat and dairy in central New Jersey. Meg has enjoyed her work in Colorado over the past decade+ on various farm operations, both rural and urban. She believes that farmers have a crucial role to play in setting policies and programs to further the sustainable food movement, and sits on the Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council (mayoral appointee), Jefferson County Food Policy Council, Denver Community Food Access Coalition, and is on the leadership board (and founding member) of the Mile High Farmers, a co-chapter of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and National Young Farmers Coalition. Meg is thrilled to be developing Sprout City Farms to work towards a thriving local food system in the Denver metro area: sprouting city farms, rooting city farmers, and reconnecting folks to the land and food that sustain them.
As “founder and farmer-in-chief,” Meg managed the Denver Green School Community Farm from 2010-2018, and now oversees operations, programs, staff, fundraising, and finances for all of SCF’s farm sites.
She can be reached at meg@sproutcityfarms.org. Habla español.
John Andreoni, Deputy Director (he/him)
John believe that food brings us all together in building a sustainable relationship with our environment. He is a Sprout City Farms’ Community Supported Agriculture shareholder turned staff member! He brings ten years of experience in organizational change and operational sustainability in non-profits, private businesses and government. He has a Master’s in Environmental Justice from University of Michigan which included the study of the conservation potential of cattle ranches in Nicaragua. Most recently, he worked for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service where he managed the budget, grants and contracts for the Soil and Plant Science Division’s national soil survey program and acted as the LGBT+ Special Emphasis Program Manager for Colorado NRCS. He is an avid community gardener and his favorite vegetables to grow are carrots.
He can be reached at john@sproutcityfarms.org.
Lindsay Saperstone, Grants Manager (she/her/ella)
Lindsay was born and raised in Colorado, and has spent time living in both Fort Collins and the Denver Metro Area, where she has strong roots in the food justice community. She has also spent time living in Portland, Oregon and outside the country in Chile, Peru and now Mexico, where she currently lives on a small ranch in Veracruz.
In her varied career she has worked for nonprofits, local government, social enterprises and grassroots campaigns as a community organizer, program administrator and grant writer mostly in the fields of food systems and economic development.
Lindsay is is most passionate about food justice, immigrant justice and community wealth building. Outside of work she loves to spend time with all the animals on her ranch including cows, horses, chickens and her 3 dogs. She also loves to dance, sing karaoke, ride her bike, practice yoga, and cook.
Habla español. She can be reached at lindsay@sproutcityfarms.org.
Camille Shoemaker, Denver Green School Farm Manager (she/her)
Camille Shoemaker (she/her) grew up in Denver, Colorado, and has called it home for most of her life, aside from a few years in New York City where she pursued a Master’s in Food Studies at New York University. She has also spent time in Summit County, Colorado, and the Hudson Valley in New York. A trained chef, Camille has diverse experience in fields such as biodynamic farming, high-altitude greenhouse farming, brewing, private chef services, restaurant work, and education. Passionate about bringing communities together through food, she believes everyone should have access to fresh vegetables and the resources that support them. Camille is excited to apply her varied background to the farm this season and use her skills to make a positive impact on the community.
Camille can be reached at camille@sproutcityfarms.org.
Dóra Wall, Denver Green School Assistant Farm Manager (she/her)
Dora grew up in a farming community in rural Hungary, where a strong connection to food and the land was a part of everyday life. After college, she spent time volunteering across Southeast Asia, including working on a coffee plantation, where she deepened her interest in sustainable agriculture and local food systems.
She went on to spend three years in Australia, gaining experience on both large-scale and small-scale farms. During that time, she also explored traditional food-making practices such as sourdough baking, kombucha brewing, cheese making, and fermenting. These skills became a meaningful way for her to engage with food in a more intentional and holistic way.
In 2024, Dora moved to the United States with a strong passion for helping communities reconnect with healthy, nutritious, and high-quality organic food. She is excited to apply these skills at the Denver Green School Community Farm, where she hopes to support local food systems and inspire others to appreciate the importance of sustainable, farm-to-table practices.
Habla español. She can be reached at dora@sproutcityfarms.org
Jonathan Burnette, DGS Community Program Manager (he/him)
Jonathan was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia and relocated to Colorado in 2019. With seven years of experience in childhood education and agricultural work, spanning five states, his career reflects a dedication to strengthening community ties and enhancing lives across varied settings.
His expertise in nurturing young learners, combined with his practical knowledge of sustainable agriculture, enables him to make a significant impact in both educational and environmental spheres.
In addition to his core fields, Jonathan has engaged with diverse communities and has a background in historical studies and film, which enriches his perspective and approach. He believes that discovering common ground with both allies and opponents is crucial for achieving lasting positive change. Driven by a passion for bridging divides, he is committed to fostering unity and learning from every interaction to support collaborative growth and community development.
You can reach him at jonathan@sproutcityfarms.org.
Katie Ketchum, Jack’s Solar Farm Field + Harvest Manager (she/her)
Katie is a farmer passionate about working at the intersection of food production, climate resiliency, and community engagement. She grew up amongst the lentil fields of the Idaho panhandle and journeyed to Colorado to study geography and international studies at the University of Denver, where she quickly became engrossed in urban farming and food access work. She's worked on a slew of educational farms in Colorado and New York, written for the Eat & Drink section of Denver's 5280 Magazine, and conducted undergraduate research on food security in Northern Uganda. When she's not farming, Katie can be found riding her bike, skiing in the Rockies, or learning to sew.
You can contact Katie at katie@sproutcityfarms.org.
Mira Leibovich, Jack’s Solar Farm Research Manager (she/her)
When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Mira just wanted to be a farmer. Granted, she was thinking more along the lines of Old McDonald and his barnyard full of animals rather than a field full of veggies, but she’s proud to say she’s living her childhood dream. She graduated from Ohio University with 4 years of experience interning on the school’s student farm, a degree in environmental studies, a certificate in food studies, and a thesis on racial inequality in the food and agricultural systems. Then she packed up whatever could fit in her car, and moved out to Colorado to begin her full time career as a farmer.
Mira spent a few years working on organic/regenerative farms around the Boulder area growing fruits, veggies, and mushrooms before learning about agrivoltaics and finding her way to Jack’s Solar Garden. She’s happy to be back for a third season helping with the research Sprout City is conducting in partnership with University of Arizona. When the overalls come off and the soil is washed off her hands, you can find her in the kitchen either cooking or baking bread, reading, at a concert, or camping in the mountains.
Reach out to Mira at mira@sproutcityfarms.org.
Steven Larrea, Jack’s Solar Farm Markets and Outreach Manager (he/him/el)
Health and nutrition is what spearheaded Steven’s regenerative agriculture career. With a passion for natural medicine for as long as he can remember, it struck him one day that the foundation of health is the food we eat and regenerative agriculture is the foundation of the health of our food.
His love for natural medicine combined with love for the outdoors and physical labor led him to nowhere better than becoming a regenerative farmer.
Steven started his farming journey in Southern Florida and then he went as far west as he could to Pauma Valley, California, then back east a bit to Colorado where he has been with Sprout City Farms at Jack’s Solar Garden since 2023. He is stoked to continue to grow our community relationships through photos, videos, storytelling and eating food together. Steven runs the Longmont Farmers Market (since 2024) and that truly helps close the loop for him, from planning to growing to harvesting and finally seeing our community members enjoy the harvest. It is truly an honor for him to be able to help people on their journey back to health and back to the land.
Other than farming, he seeks Colorado’s highest mountains (14ers) on days off, skateboards with friends, and looks for wildlife to photograph with a sony a7iii. When rest is needed, you can find Steven cuddling with his beagle Snoopy, and binging movies with some snacky snacks.
Habla español. He can be reached at steven@sproutcityfarms.org.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is made up of passionate food access advocates from our community. We are actively seeking board candidates who bring new perspectives to our team!
Mondi Mason, President (she/her)
Mondi is passionate about social justice and food access. For many years she worked closely with migrant farmworkers and community leaders in Colorado and other states to increase access to health care, transportation, and fresh foods. Currently, she works at the City and County of Denver’s Department of Public Health & Environment where for eight years she served as Food Policy Administrator. During that time, she partnered with community members and local organizations like SCF to develop, implement and evaluate efforts to increase access to fresh foods. Mondi is an applied anthropologist who is extensive experience in community-based participatory action. She has a doctorate in Health and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Colorado at Denver and a Masters in Public Health from the University of Northern Colorado.
Jordan Macknick, Vice President & Treasurer (he/him)
Jordan has a long history of working with the agricultural community on multiple angles of sustainability. In the past he worked in the Netherlands to develop joint venture partnerships among sustainable farmers, logistics companies, food processors, and retail establishments. In Minnesota, he worked for Windustry, an organization that facilitates education and discussions for farmers interested in wind energy. In his current role with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, he is working with farmers throughout the country to integrate solar energy into agricultural operations. Jordan has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Environmental Science from Hamline University and a master’s degree in Environmental Science from Yale University.
Rubea Stouppe (she/her)
Rubea is a passionate public sector professional and sustainable agriculture enthusiast. She currently works as a Program Analyst for FEMA in Region 8. Rubea completed her Master's in Public Administration from Indiana University's O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs in 2018, where she focused on Nonprofit Management. While in graduate school, she worked part-time at the Bloomington Community Orchard in Bloomington, Indiana. She dedicates much of her free time to integrating into Denver's food justice and agriculture community. Rubea is a lover of all things food (growing food, fixing food systems, and eating good food) and a true nerd about fundraising and puzzles. Rubea is excited to share her knowledge, skills, and network with Sprout City Farms.
Daniel Gargan (he/him)
Dan is a Client Portfolio Manager at Great-West Financial in Denver. In his prior work, he has been involved in various start-ups focused on agricultural supply chains and sustainable farming practices. He received his MBA in The Netherlands from Tias School for Business and Society in 2008, and his bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Environmental Policy from Colorado College. Dan loves the mission of Sprout City Farms and its positive impact on the local communities.
Joe Horton (he/him)
Joe is a multidisciplinary designer based in Denver. Throughout his career, Joe has worked with clients across various industries, including government agencies, food and beverage, hospitality, and nonprofits. He has worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver International Airport, Colorado Department of Human Services, the National Parks Services, and several Denver-area art initiatives, among others. In his free time, Joe is a passionate backyard gardener with a focus on sustainable practices, you can also find him at the climbing gym or exploring outside. Joe is excited to be on the board of Sprout City Farms, share and spread their mission, and participate in the communities the organization serves.
Tasha Hill (they/them)
Tasha currently is working for the Denver District Attorney's Office as a Grant Administrator, supporting Victim's Rights, Diversion, and Cold Case programs. They have experience in grant writing, fundraising, communications and program development. Their career choices have been defined by service, capacity building, and empowerment. Before coming to the District Attorney's Office, Tasha was working as a caregiver in the Denver community and surrounding areas, helping people with different needs and abilities achieve independence in their everyday life. Tasha also has experience working in development positions at both Sprout City Farms and Denver Urban Gardens. Tasha is a creator at heart, and spends their free time writing, knitting, sewing, and collaging with their two cats.
Thank you to our past staff!
MAP Community Farm: Jordan Gorrell (2014-2016), Katie Huszcza (2016-2018), Noelle Trueheart (2019), Katie Falkenberg (2019-2020), Andréa Wilkins y Martínez (2021), Clara Burke (2022-2023)
DGS Community Farm: Chad Hagedorn (2011), Meg Caley (2011-2018), Hannah Perez-Postman (2018), Charles Woodward (2018-2021), Lauren Pearce (2022)
Dahlia Campus Farm: Faatma Mehrmanesh (2016); Renee Marcoux (2017-2018)
Jack’s Solar Farm: Brittany Staie (2021); Liza McConnell (2022-2024)
Development: James Hale, Development & Planning Coordinator (2011-2012); Alison Hatch, Director of Development & Outreach (2013-2015); Laura Lavid, Executive Director (2015-2017); Alisha Wenger, Development Coordinator (2019); Tasha Hill, Development & Outreach Coordinator (2020-2021); Brooks Hosfeld, Development Coordinator/Director (2021-2024)
Outreach: Frank Afflitto, 2014 MAP Community Outreach Coordinator; Sara Santa Cruz, 2019 Program & Outreach Coordinator; Naveed Heydari, 2021 MAP Community Navigator; Stefan Karg, 2021-2022 Program Manager; Jess Cunningham, 2022-2024 MAP Community Navigator; Myranda Dominguez, DGS Asst Manager/Education Programs Manager 2022-2024; Paula Cuevas, Community Navigator/Program Director 2021-2024
Apprentices: Jamie Yeast (DGS), Renee Marcoux (MAP), John Bauman (MAP), Charles Woodward (DGS), Adam McClure (DGS), Jennifer Dennehy (MAP), Lauren Pearce (DGS), Katie Falkenberg (MAP), Ashley Garfias (MAP), Will Nichol (DGS), Carina Gaz (MAP), Angelica Marley (MAP)
Co-Founders: Chad Hagedorn, James Hale, and Meg Caley
Thank you to past board members!
Donna Baker-Breningstall
Ronda Belen, DGS parent
Neysa Bermingham
Jeff Buck, Denver Green School
Matt de Caussin
Matthew Chavkin
Giselle Diaz Campagna
Milan Doshi, Queen Anne B&B
Jim Dunn, Environmental Protection Agency
Tori Ford, Denver Urban Gardens
Jordan Fouts
Jessica George
Dan Goldhamer, Colorado State University Extension
Elaine Granata, Granata Farms
James Hale
Sandra Jalufka, CPA
Marijke Jongbloed, Rocky Mountain Institute
Ryan Kaszycki, TIAA-CREF
Stephanie Krause, Natural Grocers
Jeni Lamb Rogers, PSL Law Group
Dr. Jill Litt, University of Colorado
Laurel Mattrey, Denver Public Schools
Dr. Tim Noe, University of Colorado
Elizabeth Poole Woodward, Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe
Sarah Roth, Colorado Academy of Family Physicians
Gloria Rubio-Cortes, National Civic League
Matthew Saks
Haley Sammen, Sunnyside Up Farm
Joe Sammen, Center for Health Progress
Daisha Versaw, Small Beans LLC
Jack Yeh, Turing School of Software and Design
Sasha Cueno, Checkr
Hillary Barrett-Osborne, Gates Corporation
Curran Hughes, Renegade Plastics
Rachel Cernansky, Vogue Magazine
Katy Rossiter, Northwood Investors
Cindy Troy, o9 Solutions