by Ashley See, CFSA Communications Manager | Friday, Aug. 19, 2022 –

Close up of a light-skinned person wearing a hat and a light shirt holding a young child, looking down at a strawberry

Mary Beth, CFSA Education Coordinator, enjoying strawberries with her son Ash at Okfuskee Farm during the 2022 Piedmont Farm Tour.

Here at CFSA, we want to let readers get to know our staff better. Beyond job titles and duties, what interests, passions, and hobbies do the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association staff have?

Next up in the series, we’re introducing Mary Beth Miller, CFSA Education Coordinator.

If there’s a big event at CFSA, then Mary Beth is the one making it happen. She’s whip-smart, has advocated for the planet since she was in knee socks, writes the sweetest thank-you notes, and stays on top of the latest in sustainable food and farming. She also has a small farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, two young children, and their big ol’ flock of sheep. While it’s hard to say who invented the phrase “cool as a cucumber,” we’re confident Mary Beth is its embodiment. Here’s to hoping we have this cucumber for many more conferences and farm tours!

We’ll hand it over to Mary Beth now that you’re loosely acquainted.

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by Ashley See, CFSA Communications Manager | Friday, Mar. 5, 2021 – 

Marianna Spence and her family on a farm

Here at CFSA, we’ve been wanting to give readers an opportunity to get to know our staff better. Beyond job titles and duties, what interests, passions, and hobbies do the staff of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association have?

For this post in the series, we’re introducing Marianna Spence, CFSA Membership Coordinator. Her background in journalism, heart for our members, and ability to get anything done with a smile (and in half the time requested) leaves us in awe. And her banana pudding is something to write home about. We count our stars on a daily basis that we’ve managed to have this behind-the-scenes gem on staff for six years while she balances having a young family.

Now that you’re loosely acquainted, we’ll hand it over to Marianna.

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by Ashley See, CFSA Communications Coordinator | Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 – 

Cheryl Ripperton Rettie in the Linville Gorge

Here at CFSA, we’ve been wanting to give readers an opportunity to get to know our staff better. Beyond job titles and duties, what interests, passions, and hobbies do the staff of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association have?

For this post in the series, we’re introducing Cheryl Ripperton Rettie, CFSA Finance, Administration, and HR Director. As CFSA’s most senior employee (14 years!), Cheryl is one of the few of us born and raised on a farm in North Carolina. While HR is in her title, make no mistake, she’s hardly the fun police. As the best hugger and storyteller on staff, Cheryl’s warm demeanor, legacy knowledge of our organization, and knack for finance are at the heart of CFSA. 

Now that you’re loosely acquainted, we’ll hand it over to Cheryl.

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by Ashley See, CFSA Communications Coordinator | Monday, Dec. 7, 2020 – 

Matt Kneece standing in front of a lake

Here at CFSA, we’ve been wanting to give readers an opportunity to get to know our staff better. Beyond job titles and duties, what interests, passions, and hobbies do the staff of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association have?

For this post in the series, we’re introducing Matt Kneece, CFSA South Carolina Policy Coordinator. Originally from South Carolina, Matt lives in Columbia and is integral in our state advocacy. His penchant for grammar, telling entertaining stories, asking great questions, and catching our staff up to speed on regional policy issues in a succinct, lively, and engaging way is unparalleled.

Now that you’re loosely acquainted, we’ll hand it over to Matt.

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by Ashley See, CFSA Communications Coordinator | Monday, Aug. 10, 2020 – 

Mark Dempsey presenting at OCLC 2020

Here at CFSA, we’ve been wanting to give readers an opportunity to get to know our staff better. Beyond job titles and duties, what interests, passions, and hobbies do the staff of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association have?

For this inaugural post in the series, we’re introducing Mark Dempsey, CFSA Farm Services Manager. As one of our two staff members in Asheville, North Carolina, Mark provides one-on-one consulting to farmers looking to transition their farms to certified organic. He also writes Conservation Activity Plans, which help farmers who are interested in transitioning to organic production by addressing the natural resource concerns on their farm. In between helping farmers directly, Mark can be found conducting research and collecting data at various farms across western North Carolina (including our very own Lomax Farm).

Now that you’re loosely acquainted, we’ll hand it over to Mark.

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by Ashley See, CFSA Communications Coordinator | Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 – 

Claire McLendon in front of a papaya tree at the Duke Farm

Here at CFSA, we’ve been wanting to give readers an opportunity to get to know our staff better. Beyond job titles and duties, what interests, passions, and hobbies do the staff of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association have?

For this second post in the series, we’re introducing Claire McLendon, CFSA Grants Coordinator. Originally from Weaverville, North Carolina, Claire works out of CFSA’s headquarters in Pittsboro—normally, anyways—and currently lives in Carrboro. She plays a critical role in helping sustain CFSA’s fundraising efforts. How we managed to get someone with an equal love for sustainable farming and spreadsheets, we’ll never know! 

Now that you’re loosely acquainted, we’ll hand it over to Claire.

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