Tracy has served Countryside in multiple capacities since 2012 and was appointed to CEO in March of 2017. She graduated magna cum laude in 2010 with her degree in Political Science from Kent State University. Tracy is passionate about farmland preservation; sustainable agriculture; social and environmental justice and policy; and she is committed to building a resilient food system that ensures equity and viability for all. She's been actively involved in agriculture since 2004. She is a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau, and served as a county Board member, food and animal issues committee co-chair, and a county delegate at the OFBF Annual Meeting. Tracy has been a life-long entrepreneur, small business owner, as well as farmer and outdoorswoman. She lives is Wayne County Ohio on a tiny farm once belonging to her grandparents.
Serena considers herself a lifetime student of books and the world around her. She holds a degree in Conflict Management and Political Science from Kent State University, where she was able to explore her passions of nonviolent communication and social activism. Serena believes in the importance of grassroots organizing and growing local community, and comes from a decade of experience in coffee shops and interning in the non-profit sector. Serena can be found running or hiking the trails of CVNP, daydreaming about her next backpacking trip, or watching detective shows.
Annie joined Countryside after spending the fall and winter of 2016 teaching environmental ethics to high school students in Colorado. With Countryside, Annie hopes to implement sustainable practices and zero-waste programs in our office and at the Countryside Farmers’ Markets. Topics of environmental sustainability have long interested Annie, graduating cum laude from Colgate University in 2016 with degrees in Environmental Studies and Geology. She hopes to use her past experiences and an ever-growing passion for local food systems to continue the mission and goals of Countryside! Annie lives in Hudson, where she spends time gardening and enjoys hiking and biking on local trails.
Alexis grew up in Stark Co. Ohio on her family’s 30 acre organic farm. After a ten year career in logistics she decided to look for something that was a little more in line with her ethic and moral compass. This brought her back to help on the family farm in 2015. Since then she has been apprenticing with her father to learn to grow various vegetables and small grains. Alexis brings to Countryside a passion about farming and local food, as well as extensive management and organizational skills. She most recently studied Business Management at Indiana Wesleyan University. She now lives in Bath with her husband Ellis. They enjoy hiking in the National Park with their three rescue dogs.
Rachel joined Countryside in July of 2018 after earning her master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Case Western Reserve University. Prior, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at a nonprofit organization in Cleveland where she found and pursued her passion in fundraising. Though Rachel has gardened as a hobby for nearly her whole life, she is new to the world of farming and local food – but she is excited to learn in one of her favorite places, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where she spends time hiking, biking, and kayaking whenever possible. Rachel also holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with minors in Business and Latin American Studies from Ohio University. She is an avid traveler and has lived in Ireland and Spain.
Alicia joined Countryside in July 2018 after over fifteen years in hospitality and entertainment management. Working in hospitality not only allowed her to build relationships with the community but with food as well and the way it is respected. Alicia’s passion and hobby for organic gardening and micro-farming led her to Countryside and gave her the opportunity to help connect the community to fresh, local food. When Alicia isn’t at the market you can find her pulling weeds at her micro-farm, cycling nearby trails, or hiking with her dogs in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Jessica grew up in Summit County and returned to the area after her work took her around the country, around the world, and back again. Following the events of September 11th, 2001, Jessica joined the United States Air Force Reserves where she flew as a C130 Loadmaster out of Colorado Springs, Colorado. With a renewed appreciation for the freedoms afforded in the U.S., Jessica returned to the area, completed her bachelor's degree, started a family, and followed her grandfather's example by putting hands to soil. Jessica and her husband found a wonderful rhythm when they established their hop farm and CSA in Aurora. Growing a family and growing a farm community brought a richness to Jessica's life which she will strive to share with the families nearby as the Countryside Farm Educator.
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Cuyahoga Valley Countryside
4965 Quick Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
(234) 334-4622
[email protected]
