Chris Plemmons- Chair, Chef/Educator at Olympic College and restaurant owner.
Chris is interested in farmers’ markets and all sources of food in Kitsap as well as educating others on growing and consuming local food. Chris was recently invited to the White House to join an elite group of 100 chefs from all over the United States to participate in Michelle Obama’s Chefs Move to Schools program.
Erika Anderson, Farmer and Owner of Sunshine Acres Family Farm.
Erika is a farmer on a small farm in Port Orchard. She believes teaching people the importance of growing their own food and its ability to nutritionally support their bodies is integral to building strong communities for today and tomorrow.
Jerry Darnall, Farmer.
Jerry raises pasture-raised pork operation in Kingston. He was initially inspired to start farming by his then 8 year-old son. Jerry wants to see more people involved in understanding where their food comes from and to work on public policy and regulations that support farming.
Monica Downen, Monica’s Waterfront Bakery and Cafe owner (Silverdale).
Monica is passionate about local sustainable and fresh foods. She hopes to see a local food market that is easily accessible, affordable and tasty for everyone.
Shannon Harkness, WSU Educator and Farmer.
Marilyn Holt, Family farmer of Abundantly Green.
Marilyn raises organic produce, cattle is passionate about farming any size plot. She feels it is important for Kitsap to return to its farming roots, and wants to promote common sense in doing so.
Melanie Keenan, Hydrogeologist and avid gardener.
A rookie Master Gardener, Melanie has always grown food for her family together with her children. She is connected with local politics on Bainbridge Island, especially making sure that recent code changes do not adversely affect agricultural interests and existing farm-related codes.
Vicky McGarrity, Farmer/Owner of Little Rascals Farm and Hansville Creamery.
Vicky, her husband and daughter operate a fully licensed whole raw goat milk dairy. Their products are sold in local stores and at local farmer’s markets.
Fran Miller, Community Nutritionist, Suquamish Tribe.
A registered dietitian, Fran promotes diets based on whole foods produced in a sustainable manner, both for health and environmental benefits.
Cynthia Mora, Farmer, Rodstol Lane Farm (Southworth).
Cynthia raises blueberries, produce and experimental crop of truffles. She is involved in the development of a food co-op in Kitsap County. Cynthia’s passion is to make sure we continue to learn how to farm and to keep farming rights active.
Council members Melanie Keenan and Jean Schanen
Jean Schanen, Urban farmer and Manager of Fresh Local (Bremerton).
Jean is passionate about promoting the up and coming urban farming movement, especially encouraging local food production by opening a market for it: “Here’s a market: Grow more!”
Joe Serka, Vintner and Owner of Olalla Valley Vineyard and Winery. (Olalla)
Joe, and his wife Connie, produce and serve wines out of their Tasting Room in Olalla from grapes and fruit grown on their 8 acre vineyard. Joe has been growing grapes for 22 years.