Kerry Mcgrath Email & Phone Number

California, United States

Sonoma County, California, United States

North Coast And Bay Area

Oversees FarmLink’s programmatic activities in the counties north of San Francisco, particularly Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Mendocino, Lake and Humboldt. Supports Farmlink’s role as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) helps low-resource, beginning and immigrant farmers to access land and capital. Conducts outreach to farmers, organize and facilitate workshops, small group meetings and one-on-one assistance on business and financial planning, land acquisition, financing strategies for agricultural loans, agricultural leases, innovative farm transfer techniques, securing conservation easements and mentorship between beginning and experienced farmers. Helps advance projects in collaboration with partner groups to facilitate public investment in land access for the next generation of family farmers.

Primary interface between the organization and the local community. Sole liaison to Marin Organic’s 40 producer members. Recruited and trained new producers, offering individual business consulting, marketing assistance and guidance on improving environmental stewardship. Designed, conducted and led public and targeted educational events and workshops such as events featuring Michael Pollan; Food Safety 101 workshops for farmers; “Sow a Row” for Schools, a program for farmers to grow specific organic produce to be sold directly to schools; led income-generating farm tours and events. Organized, managed and coordinated fundraising and community events such as, Bounty of Marin Organic and West Marin GMO labeling event. Managed organization’s publicity and communications via social media, email and other formats. Lead Marin Organic’s partnership with three local food banks, West Marin’s Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program and West Marin School, assisting with their local food distribution model. Lead National Gleaning Day with organizations from Hawaii to Kansas City participating. Oversaw and managed organization’s program budgets with Executive Director. Volunteer and Intern coordinator for organization; recruited, trained and supervised volunteers at events and trainings.

Nick'S Cove, Marshall, Ca

Developed and oversaw a $50,000 budget to furnish restaurant with organic produce and flowers. Designed, implemented and cared for a two-acre vegetable garden to supply the restaurant’s kitchen and seven individual cottage gardens roughly providing 1,000 pounds of produce a week along with weekly floral designs for restaurant and cottages during the growing season. Hired and managed staff and apprentice. Taught them sustainable small-scale farming. Coordinated a seasonal menu with chefs, growing 20% of the produce used by the restaurant and purchasing directly from 10 local producers. Initiated, organized and maintained the on-site compost program for the restaurant and lodge.

Marshall, Ca

Led a variety of kayak trips ranging from half day to overnights on Tomales Bay and Drake's Bay. Facilitated informative beginning paddling instruction along with natural history lessons of the Tomales bay.

Walker Creek Ranch, Petaluma, Ca

Science instruction for trail groups (20-25) 5th and 6th graders, including original andCalifornia science framework-based experimental lessons in ecology, botany, biology,astronomy, earth sciences and geology. Facilitated personal growth and responsibility with students, employed a variety of instructional techniques. Led, in conjunction with others, weekly night hikes and campfire programs. Successful team-building skills; highly effective working with diverse populations including staff, students, and colleagues/teachers.

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Led presentations on the natural history of both insects and butterflies found in the Monteverde area. Facilitated and led school group tours of the gardens. Assisted with bat research investigating bat-feeding habits in the cloud forest.