Brien Darby
Executive Director

Brien supports the staff and programs and keeps the wheels turning by keeping the focus on our core mission and strategic plan. Brien is passionate about urban farming, community building and spreadsheets.

Favorite vegetable: Kale!

Alicia Alferman
Communications & Events Manager

Alicia shares the work of Cultivate KC through email, newsletters, our website and social media channels. She facilitates connections and helps events run smoothly. She may not know the answer to your farming or policy question, but she’s happy to help you find the people who do.

Favorite vegetable: Cabbage (so underrated!)

Molly Baurain
Graduate Support Specialist

Molly makes sure our New Roots graduate farmers feel supported in their efforts beyond Juniper Gardens – from garden management to government grants, she’s there to help!

Favorite fruit: Plums!

Laura Blankenship
Site Caretaker, Westport Commons Farm

Laura supports the Westport Commons Farm Site Manager, in maintaining the grounds area, assisting in farm stand sales, and providing on-site guidance to visitors, farmers, and staff.  Outside of Cultivate KC, Laura enjoys teaching piano lessons and singing at open mic nights.

Favorite fruit: Cherries!

Jovan Brown
Program Manager, Juniper Gardens Training Farm

Jovan co-manages the New Roots for Refugees program by assisting the refugee farmers on-site. Basically making sure everything at Juniper Gardens runs smoothly!

Favorite veggies: Hard to pick a favorite, but avocados are right up there on the list!

Jessica Cooney
Program Manager, Food Access

Jessica manages our Cultivate KC’s Food Access programs and works to develop new and innovate programs to continue building food security for all members of our community.

Favorite fruit: Olives!

Haley Drake
Farmer Trainer, Juniper Gardens Training Farm

Favorite veggie: Sugar snap peas!

Ami Freeberg
Assistant Director of Strategy & Partnerships

Ami works to help develop urban farms and community-based food projects to build a strong local food system and a supportive community of growers.

Favorite veggetables: Hakurei turnips!

Mark Gawron
Program Manager, Westport Commons Farm

Mark manages, cultivates, and harvests a wide range of activity at the Westport Commons Farm. Mark assists in program strategizing, budget planning, and community volunteer coordinating.

Favorite fruit: Blueberries! Love the challenge to grow in our area, beautiful unique flowers, and oh so tasty. Loved in smooties, pies, on cereal, and in all kinds of sauces!

Courtney Hattaway
Community Engagement Specialist

Courtney assists in establishing and maintaining our critical partnerships through community outreach, fundraising initiatives, event organizing, volunteer programming, and facilitating farm site tours.

Favorite vegetable: Basil! Because it’s never let me down!

Bawi Hmung
Land and Facilities Manager, Juniper Gardens Training Farm

Bawi ensures that the farm is looking good and functioning as it should. Bawi manages landscaping work, implements infrastructure improvements, and fixes things when they need fixin’  

Favorite vegetable: Carrots!

Dylan Kingsley
Dotte Mobile Grocer Specialist

Dylan manages operations for Cultivate KC’s newest Food Access project, the Dotte Mobile Grocer, a retrofitted grocery store on wheels. You’ll find Dylan out in Wyandotte County bringing fresh and affordable food to our neighbors. If you’re out and about and see Dylan and Dottie, make sure to say hi!

Favorite fruit: Okra! Yes its a fruit!

Kaitlin O’Malley
Administrative Assistant and Accountant I

Kaitlin enjoys putting her analytical mind to use, by managing various accounting matters, and passionate mind to use, by supporting the administrative functions of Cultivate KC.

Favorite fruit: Strawberries! Funky texture on the outside, sweet surprises on the inside!

Eli O’Sullivan Kurtz
Farmers Market Specialist, Food Access

Eli supports our Food Access programming. First he collects data from farmers markets about Double Up Food Bucks and Market Match. Then he wrangles that data to clearly show the value of building relationships between local food production and folks in need.

Favorite fruit: A really good pear!

Ca Saw
Site Caretaker, Juniper Gardens Training Farm

As the Site Caretaker, Ca Saw supports the Land & Facilities Manager as needed and ensures that the farm is opened up and closed down each day of the growing season.

Favorite vegetable: Cabbage for planting and broccoli for eating!

Linda Siemens
Director, Finance & Administration

Linda oversees annual budgeting process and monitoring, human resources, information technology, and the database.

Favorite vegetable: Cherry tomatoes!

Ladan Soleimani
Development Manager

Ladan has heavy hand in our grant writing proposals, fundraising campaigns, donation management, and oversees our annual events, and so much more!

Favorite vegetable: Eggplant!

PJ Quell & Larry Davis
Volunteers Extraordinaire

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