Land and Labor

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Dawn is a A former chef specializing in farm to fork cuisine and working with local urban gardens & currently owns Rain Shadow Nursery & Hardware.

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"I love all things Farm to School! It gets our kids eating fresher, healthier food while connecting them directly to Whidbey Island agriculture through hands-on learning—from kindergarten through 12th grade—builds true "food courage" and makes nutrition exciting for students. It’s a huge, visible win that shows how much our kids and community benefit when we teach them about growing food."

Angie began professional life on Ebey's Prairie by working on a local farm in a small bookkeeping position. Working along that farmer and staff, seeing the ins and outs of farming - the seasonal aspect of it - aligned her personal and professional goals to be a supporter of our rural programs and our community.

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"Coming from a supporting position of community resiliency, I find it very valuable that we have the program reminding our community of our connection with our local food systems."

Rainy's background is in education, mental health, and community organizing. Rainy is a mother of three Coupeville Wolves and currently serve as Executive Director of the WhidbeyHealth Foundation, where her work centers on relationships and raising resources to support healthcare in our community. Rainy is also an avid backyard dahlia grower and have served in many local leadership roles.

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"I care about Coupeville Farm to School because it is local, hands-on, community-minded, and centered on kids. There is something powerful about helping children understand where their food comes from and giving them a meaningful connection to the land and people around them. CF2S honors Central Whidbey’s agricultural heritage while investing in the next generation. It’s easy to be an ambassador for Coupeville Farm to School’s work and mission because its impact is so tangible and meaningful to our community."

Laura has a BS in Nutrition, a Masters in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition, and is a registered Dietician and Nutritionist. Laura served as the Assessment and Healthy Communities Director for Island County Public Health for 7 years and is currently the DFood Service Director for the Coupeville School District Connected Food Program. She is also a parent of two wolf pup students.

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"The research shows that introducing kids to new foods through hands-on experience like gardening, changes how they eat for the long-term. That is a powerful impact that has ripples across families and generations. But Coupeville Farm to School doesn't just teach kids about vegetables because they are healthy for them. CF2S teaches them about how food in relationship to themselves, to their family, to the community and to the health of our planet. In a place like Coupeville that is so grounded and shaped by agriculture, this organization has an important role in raising a generation of kids interested in food and wanting to participate in their community."

Liz has a Masters degree in teaching reading and helped run a farm business.

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"What I love about CF2S is the opportunities for students to have experiential learning; where does food come from? Are the learning opportunities something that can benefit the students throughout their lives? Is there a conduit from school to family? I especially like the bridge from garden to The Connected Food Program." 

Leslie holds a BFA in Fine Art from Cornish College of the Arts with a double major in Painting and Photography. She has been a full-time painter for the last 20 years and before that was a full-time professional nanny for 13 years. Most importantly Leslie is the mother of two Coupeville Wolves.

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"My experiences working with a variety of children, including my own, have taught me the importance of exposing children to a wide variety of foods from an early age. When my children were young, we planted a garden together, and they were excited and delighted to be part of the experience. I noticed that they were much more open to trying foods they had helped grow themselves. I feel strongly that everyone should be aware and knowledgeable about where their food comes from, and Farm2School is providing this for all Coupeville students. What could be better than visiting a farm, helping to plant and harvest vegetables, and then getting to enjoy them through the school's hot lunch program?"

Michelle holds a Masters degree in Nonprofit Management. Since retiring as a nonprofit Director, Michelle has served on several nonprofit boards. She currently serves on the Whidbey Health Foundation Board alongside her service with CF2S.

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"As a member of Whidbey’s community, I have the responsibility to help build and protect the resources available to everyone. The land and all it can produce is one of the richest of resources we have. To encourage young people to put their hands in the soil and participate in growing items to eat is a great way to support all of the students in our town. I wish I had been able to participate in such a program when I was in school."

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