Ellen

Ellen grew up in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and attended Cleveland State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and a Certificate in G.I.S. She spent a summer in Iceland learning about renewable energy and sustainable resources, and spent a few months in India volunteering in a nursery school and exploring the many sights and experiences it has to offer. Ellen then worked for the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio for a few years teaching environmental education, running a summer camp, helping with office duties, and then worked for a few years as a Guest Services Manager helping people put on corporate events, weddings, parties, and other events within the National Park.

Ellen left Ohio in 2012 and moved to Sparta, Wisconsin to work on an organic produce farm for the summer and live in an old 12x15 pump house to help determine if a lifetime of farming and vegetable production was right for her. It was a hot and dirty summer full of hard work, sparse living conditions, lots of vegetables, cooking on a Coleman stove, and great memories. Her journey brought her to the Student Organic Farm in late summer 2012 for a visit and a tour, and she knew the  Organic Farmer Training Program was the next step! She moved to Lansing in late 2012 and worked at ELFCO while part of the 2013 cohort. Ellen spent last year working in the Teaching House and the late brassica field, and is excited to be the SOF CSA Manager for the 2014 season!

When not at the SOF, she can be found gardening, cooking, creating new vegetarian dishes to share with loved ones, hiking, running, reading, traveling to Ohio and Minnesota to visit family, and relaxing at home.