Over the next several weeks, we will be introducing the new Maine Foodscapes Board of Directors. Our Board is highly involved in every aspect of Maine Foodscapes. Board members are critical for executing the various aspects of our organization. Our Board consists of enthusiastic gardeners dedicated to building community around growing food, and we'd love for you to get to know them. If you attend an event, participate in a Garden Project build, or volunteer, you're likely to meet one or many members of our Board, but we're going to dedicate some space to digging deeper with each of them here on our new blog! 

For Part 2 of this series, you'll be hearing from Board Treasurer Sarah Warren! 

Sarah! Introduce yourself! 
I was raised in Southern Maine with a passion for the outdoors and an affinity for natural spaces.
I graduated from Lesley University with a degree in Global Studies and a received a minor in Spanish via a year at La Universitat de Barcelona. Through my time in Boston and abroad, I came to appreciate the importance of local solutions to global problems. This principle, along with my aptitude for technology, systems thinking, and nonprofit data management led me to my role as Director of Technology & Data for United Way of Southern Maine. Like many at the onset of the pandemic, I started my first garden & made a home for my first batch of chickens, furthering my interest in being in close relationship with food sources. I currently sits on the Freeport Shellfish Conservation Commission and believe that we must ensure responsible stewardship of natural resources to benefit all living beings.

What are your hobbies and interests?
Raising chickens, making candles, making soap, making things out of concrete and mica, gardening, indoor plant rescue, hiking, travel, and generally learning new things! I have been taking skills classes with a close friend and have learned how to make fire cider, tisanes, soap and more.

Why did you want to join the board of directors?
I wanted to join a smaller non-profit and be a hands on board member, and Foodscapes' mission spoke to me.

What makes you most excited for the upcoming grow season?
Getting my hands dirty! Meeting the garden recipients and engaging in community.

How did you get first introduced to Maine Foodscapes?
Margaret reached out when I posted on the MANP Board Explorer site
 
What do you enjoy most about gardening?
How much it increases joy and mental wellbeing; I first started gardening (like many people) at the onset of COVID. I am hooked :)

What kind of impact are you hoping to make on the organization and/or your community this year?
I hope to lend my skills here to help increase capacity and together with the rest of the board launch Foodscapes into its next chapter. I also hope to be a good steward of all natural spaces I come into contact with and increase access for marginalized communities.

If you're inspired by Sarah and looking to get more involved because you also have a passion for being a good steward of all natural spaces, enjoy getting your hands dirty, and have an interest in local food systems, you've come to the right place! We have so many opportunities for volunteering, engagement and partnership. Even a simple donation goes a long way to supporting our mission. 

Over the next several weeks, we will be introducing the new Maine Foodscapes Board of Directors. Our Board is highly involved in every aspect of Maine Foodscapes. Board members are critical for executing the various aspects of our organization. Our Board consists of enthusiastic gardeners dedicated to building community around growing food, and we'd love for you to get to know them. If you attend an event, participate in a Garden Project build, or volunteer, you're likely to meet one or many members of our Board, but we're going to dedicate some space to digging deeper with each of them here on our new blog! 

For Part 1 of this series, you'll be hearing from Vice President Lee Klarman! 

Lee! Tell everyone a little about yourself. 
Hello, my name is Lee and I have been involved with Maine Foodscapes for about 3 years.  My current role is vice-president on the board of directors.  I have 2 young daughters, 2 older step children, a loving wife, a dog, a flock of chickens, a couple thousand bees and we all reside along the Saco River.  

What are your hobbies and interests?
I love to grow garlic and play in the woods.  

Why did you want to join the Foodscapes Board of Directors?
Foodscapes plays a unique role in connecting people to their own sustainable food source.  I wanted to help expand on that model to support my neighbors and community.   

What makes you most excited for the upcoming grow season?
Witnessing the joy that is created when the first sprouts of a new garden bed begin to emerge.   

How did you get first introduced to Maine Foodscapes?
I helped coordinate the build of 3 new garden beds for a youth after school program.  
 
What do you enjoy most about gardening?
Walking out to the garden for ingredients rather than driving to the grocery store.

What kind of impact are you hoping to make on the organization and/or your community this year?
I hope more kids in the community are able to get their hands dirty and enjoy fresh food.  

If you're inspired by Lee and looking to get more involved because you also have a passion for growing garlic, abstaining from the grocery store when possible, and supporting youth gardening in your community, you've come to the right place! We have so many opportunities for volunteering, engagement and partnership. Even a simple donation goes a long way to supporting our mission.