Staff and Board of Directors
Bob and Kathy work with LFG office support staff, consultants and organizational partners to assist clients and implement projects throughout New England.
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.
LFG’s Board of Directors
David Ames, Ames Realty Trust, MA
John Bliss, Broadturn Farm, MEClem Clay, Trust for Public Land, MA
Susan Hay, Haywood Search LLC, NH
Billy Horton, LFG founder, Dublin School, NH
Annette Lorraine, Attorney, VTSusan Malan, Sound Advisory Management - Principal, CT
Andrew Marshall, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Assoc., MEElisabeth Moore, Connecticut Farmland Trust, CT
Michael Smolak, Smolak Farms, MA
Paul Wood, Shelterworks, Ltd., President, LFG Board of Directors, NH
Associates
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) 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) 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.
News and Updates:
We have redesigned our website. Take a look around at some of our new features and come back and visit us soon.
Erica Fearn (Connecticut)
and Mike Ghia (Vermont),
new Field Staff
read more »
Monadnock Region Farm Project Underway read more »
