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Agricultural Guild Board
- Elaine Kendall, Co-Chair, representing the San Juan Farmers Market Association. Elaine is a co-owner of Sweet Earth Farm with her husband Ron Zee.
- Mark Madsen, Co-Chair, member at large. Mark Madsen has a diverse background, split between academic research, environmental compliance, and entrepreneurship in the software and telecommunications industries. He is trained as an anthropologist and evolutionary biologist, with a focus on the economies, ecological strategies, and fates of prehistoric societies. His business experience includes founding several software companies, including Allrecipes.com, which was founded in 1995 and operated until sale to Reader's Digest recently. Allrecipes was and is the leading community-generated food and recipe source on the internet. Mark is also a Trustee on the San Juan Island Library Board.
- Candace Jagel, Secretary, representing Washington State University Extension, San Juan County, organizes ag-related seminars, keeps local farmers updated on events and developments in ag, and works on a number of projects, such as ag plastics recycling, goat-powered weed control, and farm-to-school initiatives. Candace and her family have a small farm and raise goats for meat, milk, and fiber. Candace is also an author and editor.
- Richard Anderson, Treasurer, member at large. Richard has a 30-year background in financial analysis and information technology. Retired, he owns and operates Westcott Bay Cider and as a volunteer supports the San Juan County Agricultural Resources Committee as a member on the Farmers Enrichment subcommittee.
- David Bauermeister, representing the Northwest Agriculture Business Center. David was raised on a dryland wheat farm in Eastern Washington. He attended Washington State University and graduated with a BS in Agronomy, Business Management option and has 25 years agricultural experience working in private sector. David is Executive Director of the Northwest Agriculture Business Center (NABC), which provides Northwest Washington farmers with the skills and the resources required to profitably and efficiently supply their products to consumers, retailers, wholesalers, foodservice operators and food manufacturers. Through these efforts NABC contributes to a sustainable, environmentally and economically sound agricultural industry thereby preserving our region’s farming heritage for future generations. NABC’s work is made possible by support from government, the agricultural industry, the community, and from consumers who share NABC’s values and vision.
- Jane Burton Bell, representing the Agricultural Resources Committee. Passionate advocate and consumer for local food, intensified by seven years as manager of the San Juan Farmers' Market (2000-2007).
- Bruce Gregory, representing the San Juan Islands Conservation District. He and his wife, Colleen Howe-Gregory, have owned and operated Mitchell Bay Farm & Nursery for eighteen years. Bruce is a member of the San Juan County Noxious Weed Board, a member of both the Agricultural Resources Committee of San Juan County and the San Juan County Economic Development Council. In addition, he is a board member of the Island Grown Farmer’s Cooperative and of the Northwest Agricultural Business Center.
- Rick Hughes, representing the Orcas Farmers' Market. Rick is President of Ray’s Pharmacy in Eastsound, and was a board member of Outward Bound Wilderness and the National Outdoor Leadership School. Prior to moving to Orcas Island, Rick was the Northwest Director of Advertising Sales for ESPN.com
- Madden Surbaugh, representing San Juan County food service establishments. Madden grew up in Olympia, graduated from the New England Culinary Academy, and is the Chef/Owner of the Quilted Pig at Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. Madden was previously the Chef/Owner of Steps Wine Bar in Friday Harbor. He was voted one of the “Northwest’s Best Chefs” by KCTS Channel 9 Public Television in 2008, recently awarded the Wine Enthusiasts Award of Unique Distinction and was featured on the television show Rachel Rays Vacations. Chef Madden enjoys putting fun twists on classic dishes as well as creating innovative new cuisine ideas using locally grown, seasonal foods. “Working closely with local farmers is paramount to my business. It insures that we are using goods produced organically, sustainably, safely and humanly. The products raised and grown in San Juan County are world class in quality and we are lucky to have them available right next door.”
- Rob Waldron, representing the Island Grown Farmers Cooperative. Rob attended Cornel University studying agriculture, then joined the Peace Corp and served in Chile for six years. He moved to San Juan Island in 1972 and has managed various agricultural operations since. Currently Rob is managing Talking Horse Ranch which includes a sheep flock and cattle herd, a produce garden, pasture raised eggs, firewood and compost. Rob is a familiar face at the San Juan Farmers’ Market, selling locally raised, organic, grass fed lamb and beef plus garden produce. Sons Ben and Noah work as EMTs on San Juan Island and help with the 40 acre home ranch which includes sheep and cattle.
- Susie Wampler, member at large. Susie has lived on San Juan Island since the early seventies. She has a BS degree in Organizational and Mass Communications from Eastern Washington University and holds a degree in Residential Design from the Art Institute of Seattle. Susie is very active as a wife, mother of two daughters, a private chef, event coordinator, and interior designer. For 19 growing seasons Susie has sold her gorgeous flower bouquets at the San Juan Farmers’ Market, Kings Market, and Roche Harbor Resort.
- Peggy Karp Weir, represents the San Juan Farmers’ Market Association. She is the owner/operator of Wonders of Nature, a small producer of farm products. Prior to moving to San Juan Island 12 years ago, she was involved with the design and development of internet-based systems and products, since its inception in the early 70s. She holds a BS in mathematics from Marywood College, MS in Information Science from the University of Chicago and did advanced degree studies and research at Stanford University.
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Former Project Director and Current Volunteer
Lovel Pratt moved to San Juan Island with her family in 1991. Previously Lovel was the Executive Director of the San Juan Community Home Trust and the WSU Extension Food Systems Education Coordinator hired through a grant from the USDA’s Food Security Program where she participated in the creation of the first in the nation USDA inspected mobile meat processing unit; and developed and implemented programs, conferences, exhibits, brochures, surveys, newsletters, and articles to educate both consumers and producers in San Juan County about locally produced foods. Lovel was elected to the San Juan County Council in November, 2008, and also volunteers in the schools, with the San Juan Public Schools Foundation, and on San Juan Island Community Foundation Critical Needs Task Forces.
Project Architect
David Waldron received his architectural license in 1980 and moved to San Juan Island in 1982. Before moving to San Juan Island, David worked on the architectural teams that designed the Seattle Aquarium and the Woodland Park Zoo. David has designed numerous island residences and commercial buildings. David has been a member of the Town of Friday Harbor Historic Preservation Review Board since its inception, is on the Board of the Spring Street International School, and is the Leader of Cub Scout Pack 90.
Project Supporters
Project Supporters include 306 donors to date! In addition, Richard Hobbs, AIA, has led the project design charettes; Pete Kilpatrick, Ravenhill Construction, has provided construction technical assistance; the Northwest Agriculture Business Center (NABC) has provided technical assistance for planning, design, fundraising, the feasibility study and the business plan; and David and Nancy Jones and Steve Hushebeck have provided invaluable assistance on the Brickworks Business Plan.