Xochitl is a farmer in hiatus with interests in urban agriculture, food accessibility, and intergenerational community restoration. She loves agriculture because she can spiritually connect with her indigenous ancestors while farming in the same urban environment where she was raised. Besides growing and providing affordable organic produce for her community, she is also a board member of the New Haven Environmental Advisory Council and for Urban Resources Initiative. 

Ellie (she/her) is an educator, native Bridgeporter, and deeply passionate about the intersections of urban food growing, collectively run food systems, and building a future where racial equity and food justice are commonplace tenets in Connecticut farming & land use work. She is proud to rep NCTFA on American Farmland Trust's Working Lands Alliance and sit on the Farmland Preservation Advisory Board for the CT Department of Agriculture. Ellie became Green Village Initiative's Executive Director in 2020 after six years of farming. Her main priority in her free time is being the "weird aunt" to four perfect nibblings.

Owner-operator at Lathrop Farmstead in Lebanon, CT

Co-owner and operator of SEAmarron Farmstead in Danbury, CT, established in 2020. SEAmarron Farmstead is. 3.1acre hemp & vegetable farm. Liz joined NCTFA to be a part of a network of farmers, to build community, and to learn more about farming.

Co-owner and operator of SEAmarron Farmstead in Danbury, CT, established in 2020. SEAmarron Farmstead is. 3.1acre hemp & vegetable farm.

Owner-operator at ABC Family Farms in Bridgeport, CT. He is a father, farmer, NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional & Student at Naugatuck Valley Community College pursuing degrees in Horticulture and Landscape Design. Raul began his Agriculture Journey volunteering at Reservoir Farm (Green Village Initiative in Bridgeport, CT) in the Spring of 2019, but has always had a passion for using his hands and getting in the soil. Aside from GVI he has also volunteered with WEPA Farms & at SEAmarron Farmstead, farms both owned by BIPOC individuals in Connecticut. His focuses are Hemp, Herbs & Mushrooms.

Manager of market garden at Trillium Brewing Company in Stonington, CT

Owner-operator of Beets and Blooms Farm, Brittany began farming in 2018 following a career in social services, including the housing coordinator for a refugee resettlement agency and case manager at the state of Hawai’I’s SNAP employment program. Eventual burnout led to a career-change and she hasn’t looked back since. Brittany’s experiences in the social service sector have helped to hone a meticulous attention to detail and a passion for providing healthy food to everyone. You can frequently find Brittany saying encouraging words to baby plants, cooking delicious food for family and friends, and listening to audiobooks while she plants and harvests. Brittany is our resident veggie expert and field manager. When she’s not on the farm Brittany is busy working with other beginner farmers in the state as a Project Coordinator at UConn Solid Ground.

Owner-operator of River Ridge Farm and Market in Putnam, CT. Matt has been farming since 2012, and in Connecticut since 2020. He is looking to change the food culture and landscape of the state for the better.

After an adulthood spent moving, Ella is delighted for the opportunity to take root in Connecticut where she can support all the fabulous new and small (and brilliant and innovative!) farmers this state has. When she's not thinking about ag, she serves on the Manchester Conservation Commission and helps out with local trail systems. Please contact her and the alliance at newctfarmers@gmail.com.

Liz (she/they) lives in Hartford, CT and comes from a background in farming, community organizing, and arts and culture programming. They enjoy river swimming, rollerblading, sci-fi, gardening, making art with friends, and building queer community. You can reach her at nctfaclimate@gmail.com