Ellie (she/her) is an educator, native Bridgeporter, and deeply passionate about the intersections of urban food growing, collectively run food systems, and building a future where racial equity and food justice are commonplace tenets in Connecticut farming & land use work. She is proud to rep NCTFA on American Farmland Trust's Working Lands Alliance and sit on the Farmland Preservation Advisory Board for the CT Department of Agriculture. Ellie became Green Village Initiative's Executive Director in 2020 after six years of farming. Her main priority in her free time is being the "weird aunt" to four perfect nibblings.

Owner-operator at Lathrop Farmstead in Lebanon, CT

​Nicole (she/her) has previously worked on vegetable farms in MA and CT, and she’s currently part of the Vegetable IPM team at UConn Extension. In navigating all the questions that go along with starting a new farm, she’s realized she really can’t imagine anything without being in community with others.

Co-owner and operator of SEAmarron Farmstead in Danbury, CT, established in 2020. SEAmarron Farmstead is. 3.1acre hemp & vegetable farm.

Co-owner and operator of SEAmarron Farmstead in Danbury, CT, established in 2020. SEAmarron Farmstead is. 3.1acre hemp & vegetable farm. Liz joined NCTFA to be a part of a network of farmers, to build community, and to learn more about farming.

Owner-operator of Beets and Blooms Farm, Brittany began farming in 2018 following a career in social services, including the housing coordinator for a refugee resettlement agency and case manager at the state of Hawai’I’s SNAP employment program. Eventual burnout led to a career-change and she hasn’t looked back since. Brittany’s experiences in the social service sector have helped to hone a meticulous attention to detail and a passion for providing healthy food to everyone. You can frequently find Brittany saying encouraging words to baby plants, cooking delicious food for family and friends, and listening to audiobooks while she plants and harvests. Brittany is our resident veggie expert and field manager. When she’s not on the farm Brittany is busy working with other beginner farmers in the state as a Project Coordinator at UConn Solid Ground.

Owner-operator at ABC Family Farms in Bridgeport, CT. He is a father, farmer, NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional & Student at Naugatuck Valley Community College pursuing degrees in Horticulture and Landscape Design. Raul began his Agriculture Journey volunteering at Reservoir Farm (Green Village Initiative in Bridgeport, CT) in the Spring of 2019, but has always had a passion for using his hands and getting in the soil. Aside from GVI he has also volunteered with WEPA Farms & at SEAmarron Farmstead, farms both owned by BIPOC individuals in Connecticut. His focuses are Hemp, Herbs & Mushrooms.

Sarah Layton owns Wild Hill Farm in Deep River, a cut flower, veggie, and chicken egg micro-farm. She's also Agricultural Programs Coordinator for Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development Area (CT RC&D), and primarily works on the Climate Smart Agriculture Grant, CT Veteran Grown, and CT Soil Health initiatives. She is a Certified Compost Operator, steering committee member of the CT Compost Alliance, and co-president of the Deep River Garden Club. Sarah loves strong coffee, tacos, and any activity that allows her to be outside.

Manager of market garden at Trillium Brewing Company in Stonington, CT

Howard has been a farm advocate since he and his wife Sheryl moved to Warren in 2000. They manage two farm properties and opened The Smithy in New Preston to create a greater sense of awareness on the part of the community of the rich agricultural heritage of our area. Out of their efforts with The Smithy grew the Farmer’s Table dinner. Since its first dinner in 2011, the Farmer’s Table has grown into a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the regional food system by providing its local farmers with the tools that they need in order to thrive. The Farmer’s Table conducted its 13th annual dinner in 2024 at Angevine
Farm.

Owner-operator of River Ridge Farm and Market in Putnam, CT. Matt has been farming since 2012, and in Connecticut since 2020. He is looking to change the food culture and landscape of the state for the better.