Carolyn Brown, Chair

<carolynbro at gmail dot com>

Bio and photo pending!

Bob Gerner, Treasurer

<bgerner2 at comcast dot net>

Bio and photo pending!

Andy Scott, Secretary

<scoandrew at gmail dot com>

Andy was Farm Manager at Hidden Villa for 16 years, and have been involved with farm interns/apprentices for over 30 years. In 2002, under his management, Hidden Villa became a MESA Host for the first time.

Today, Andy continues his work with Hidden Villa as their Assistant Property Manager. Andy is deeply involved with the Biodynamic Association and has been working on their Apprentice Training Program since its inception.

Suzanne Allcroft, Vice Chair

<sallcroft at gmail dot com>

Suzanne Allcroft is the Development Associate for Institutional Donors at the Global Fund for Women, where she works to mobilize significant resources for global women's rights. Prior to working at the Global Fund, Suzanne worked with TransFair USA, a fair trade certification organization, where she gained experience in non-profit fundraising as well as researched the impact of fair trade projects on the working conditions of female laborers. Dedicated to social justice as well as environmental sustainability, Suzanne spends her spare time working with community garden projects, installing urban permaculture farms, and studying Environmental Horticulture. Suzanne graduated from UC, Berkeley with a BA in Development Studies and Spanish, focusing on political economy and post-colonialism in Latin America. During her academic work, she lived and studied in both Mexico and Spain where she examined colonialism from dual perspectives. She is proud to serve on the Board of Directors for MESA.

Sean Gillon, Director

<sgillon at ucsc dot edu> 

Sean Gillon grew up in Iowa interested in the farms, cornfields, and the agricultural product processing industry around him. He began his engagement with sustainable agriculture and food systems managing and interning on small farms and as a produce clerk in cooperative groceries.  He has conducted research projects for non-profit organizations working for social justice in food systems and improving opportunities for farmers practicing sustainable agriculture.  Currently, Sean is a Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz.  His dissertation research focuses on the social and ecological dimensions of US Midwestern corn ethanol production.  This research examines relationships between corn ethanol production, rural economies, and farmers' agricultural and conservation practices, as well as analyzes related agricultural and environmental policy.  Sean has also co-authored work on the politics of organic food regulation and taught courses on building socially just and ecologically sound food systems.