Board & Advisory Members

Board Members

Board Members can be reached at board@sjiagguild.com

Sarah Pope (SJI) – Co-Chair

Sarah grew up on San Juan Island. She received a BA in Environmental Studies, Anthropology, and Education from Bowdoin College in Maine and worked for more than a decade in Portland, Oregon writing curriculum for K-8 students at a school focused on community and place-based education. She and her family returned to the island in 2017 to take up stewardship of Oak Knoll Farm and its flock of North Country Cheviot sheep. Member since September 2018.

Candace Jagel (SJI) – Co-Chair/ Recorder

Owner of a small farm on San Juan Island, where they raise dairy goats, chickens, and rabbits.  Candace previously served as Washington State University Extension Agricultural Program Coordinator for San Juan County and also as co-manager of the San Juan Island Farmers Market. Candace is currently a member of the Food Hub Steering Committee.  Before moving to the islands, Candace co-founded a non-profit to preserve and manage publicly owned farmland on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Member since December 2019.

Tim Barrette (SJI) – Treasurer

Co-owner, with his wife, Laurie, of The Market Chef.  Tim and Laurie started their business as vendors at the San Juan Island Farmers Market and have been long-time supporters of local farms and food as providing the freshest ingredients for their fine fare. Chair of the Brickworks Committee.

Rob Waldron (SJI)– Member at Large

Attended Cornell University studying agriculture, then joined the Peace Corps and served in Chile for six years. He moved to San Juan Island in 1972 and has managed various agricultural operations since. Currently Rob is managing Talking Horse Ranch which includes a sheep flock and cattle herd, a produce garden, pasture raised eggs, firewood and compost. Rob sells at the at the San Juan Island Farmers’ Market.

Ande Finley (Lopez) – Member at Large

Living on Lopez Island and an active board member of the Lopez Locavores, Community Rights San Juan Island, and steering committee of Transition Lopez and Huddle Lopez Island. Member since March 2020.

Marcy Montgomery (Orcas) – Member at Large

A grant writer and founder of “One Canoe” local and healthy food programs that connect low income families with fresh produce and she is currently working with the Fresh Bucks program in San Juan County. She is also volunteering to form and foster the San Juan Makers Guild. Before moving to San Juan Island, Marcy operated a small farm in Hawaii for 15 years and is now starting a value-added enterprise on Orcas Island. Member since December 2019.

Chance Black (Orcas) – Member at Large

Chance has a Bachelors in Environmental Studies and has been working on several Orcas Island Farms five years. He is currently working Warm Valley Farm and as a construction worker. He interested in activating the San Juan Islands Food Hub. Member since December 2019.

Dr. Brook Brouwer – Advisory Member

Brouwer is the director of WSU San Juan County Extension.  He received his PhD from WSU in crop and soil sciences. His dissertation was on plant breeding for regional food systems in Western Washington. Dr. Brouwer is a member of the WSU Farm and Food System Team, San Juan County ARC, and leads planning and delivery of the San Juan Islands Ag Summit. He has worked with diverse producers in the region since 2009 as a farm and grew up on a small sheep farm on Lopez Island.

Amanda Sparks – Member at Large

Staff:

Lars Sorenson – Brickworks Manager

Chelsea Thorpe – Farmers-to-Farmland Coordinator

Kristen Arnim – Project Manager