Staff
Executive 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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Vermont field staff Mike Ghia 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.
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Maine field staff Jo Barrett has been farming and homesteading in Maine since 1983. Jo taught in public and independent schools for over 25 years. She helped host and instruct farming apprentices over a 20 year period at her family’s farm, King Hill Farm in Penobscot. Recently, she and her husband transferred ownership of the farm to a young farming family. . ____________________________________________________________
New Hampshire field staff and Project Coordinator, Melissa Blindow spent the past 18 years working in the field of sustainable community development. In 1998, after studying ecology and organic farming, she worked on organic and bio-dynamic farms in New Hampshire and Germany, and as project manager on straw bale construction projects. Melissa transitioned the Lagunitas School district in Marin, CA hot lunch program to organic, locally sourced food and taught local foods based after-school cooking and gardening classes to elementary school children. Melissa and her family own and operate a small organic raw milk dairy in Bedford, NH.
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Business Manager
Jan Mackey's keen interest in nutrition and its effect on health began as a teenager. Her concern with the impact of chemicals used to maintain freshness during food shipment underscores the importance of locally produced food. Being a part of Land For Good gives Jan the opportunity to have a small part in keeping food sources close to home and her community healthier. She is a Certified QuickBooks Pro-Advisor and has worked in bookkeeping for 15 years.
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Operations Manager
Barb Jackson,
grew up in Western New York State, in the farming and fruit growing region surrounding Lake Ontario. She has lived in New Hampshire over 30 years and is excited to be involved with Land For Good. Barb feels that the services and programs offered by Land For Good not only help small farms and farmers in New England, but inspire similar organizations all over the country. Barb’s background in project coordination and data management help her juggle the various requirements of a growing non-profit.____________________________________________________________
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