Staff
Co-director and LFG founder Bob Bernstein assists individuals, families and organizations with finance, project development, and strategic planning. Bob brings 30 years experience as general contractor, Executive Director and organization consultant along with a Master's degree in Community Economic Development. Bob farms part-time with his family in southern New Hampshire. ____________________________________________________________
Co-director Kathy Ruhf is a nationally recognized leader in farm entry, succession and tenure. She has co-authored guidebooks, managed projects, led workshops and worked closely with farm families on these topics. Kathy also coordinates a regional sustainable agriculture network and works on farm and food policy. Kathy was Director of the New England Small Farm Institute and has Master's degrees in Administration and Natural Resource Management.
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LFG co-founder Craig Oshkello is a Senior Associate with LFG. Craig is a land use planning professional with a Master's degree in Landscape Architecture. He has served on NH planning boards for eight years and runs a private design build company. Craig and his family live and farm on a NH community land trust.
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Erica Fearn, Connecticut field staff, has worked in nonprofit management for over 16 years. She served as Executive Director of the CT Farm Bureau and as the Area Director of Programs & Policy. She began her career as a manager for Agway after receiving a B.S. from the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources from the Univ. of Connecticut. Currently, she is Executive Director for the CT Environmental Council and Irrigation Contractors Associations. Erica raises Boer goats in W. Suffield, CT. ____________________________________________________________
Mike Ghia, Vermont field staff, was a beginner farmer and land seeker from 1997-2007. Now he farms part-time while working as a farm consultant through University of Vermont Extension and the Women's Ag Network. Mike also works through the VT Farm Viability Program as a Farm Business Planner. He coaches beginner farmers on farm and tenure issues and financial planning and assists families with intergenerational transfers. His expertise includes grazing planning and soils. ____________________________________________________________
Penny Jordan, a fourth generation farmer in Maine, grew up on the farm she currently operates alongside her brother, Bill Jr, and sisters, Pam and Carol Anne. She brings personal experience with farm transition planning, selling of development rights and leveraging the talents and capabilities of family members to lead the development and execution of farm transfer plans. Penny has over 30 years experience in project management and business planning. She holds a Masters degree on Social Work, focusing on Community Organizing and Program Design. Penny is actively involved in Maine agriculture and holds a strong belief that taking action to ensure the long term viability of our farm businesses is one way to attract the next generation to the farm.
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