2021 Organic Farmer Training Program Cohort
Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson was born in Killeen, Texas. His father was active duty Army. Brian would eventually follow suit first enlisting in the Air Force and later transitioning to the Army. He served two combat tours in Iraq and was stationed in Germany along with many other states conus. After 11 years, Brian retired from the Army as a Sergeant First Class (a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer) out of Fort Riley, Kansas and recently relocated to Michigan. Brian has been married to his wife, Kolia Souza, for 12 years and she is a Food System Equity & Advocacy Specialist with MSU Center for Regional Food Systems. They have two daughters: Paris, 18, attends the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Isabella, 15, is a sophomore at East Lansing High School. Brian has a B.S. in Management & Ethics from Manhattan Christian College and a M.S. in Divinity with a counseling emphasis from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Gardening has been something he has appreciated as personally therapeutic and he is excited to finally have a garden again because brings peace and closeness with God. Brian believes faith is the foundation of everything and to live in communion with the earth, using what we need and sharing the rest. According to Brian, if you truly want to get to know someone, share a meal prepared with what you have cultivated in the garden. Food is the great equalizer that brings people’s guard down; it’s how we have been created, it is a biblical foundation. This communion is more than a stale piece of bread and thimble of juice.
Brian Johnson was born in Killeen, Texas. His father was active duty Army. Brian would eventually follow suit first enlisting in the Air Force and later transitioning to the Army. He served two combat tours in Iraq and was stationed in Germany along with many other states conus. After 11 years, Brian retired from the Army as a Sergeant First Class (a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer) out of Fort Riley, Kansas and recently relocated to Michigan. Brian has been married to his wife, Kolia Souza, for 12 years and she is a Food System Equity & Advocacy Specialist with MSU Center for Regional Food Systems. They have two daughters: Paris, 18, attends the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Isabella, 15, is a sophomore at East Lansing High School. Brian has a B.S. in Management & Ethics from Manhattan Christian College and a M.S. in Divinity with a counseling emphasis from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Gardening has been something he has appreciated as personally therapeutic and he is excited to finally have a garden again because brings peace and closeness with God. Brian believes faith is the foundation of everything and to live in communion with the earth, using what we need and sharing the rest. According to Brian, if you truly want to get to know someone, share a meal prepared with what you have cultivated in the garden. Food is the great equalizer that brings people’s guard down; it’s how we have been created, it is a biblical foundation. This communion is more than a stale piece of bread and thimble of juice.
Carly Talsma
Longtime florist and green thumb, Carly first became interested in farming as an intern for the Ruth Mott Foundation. With a few years spent as a florist and urban farmer for the Flint Farmers Market, she became passionate about community supported agriculture. After a few more years of WWOOF-ing and studying, she garnered a passion for growing food sustainably and sharing that experience with others. Relocating to Ypsilanti in order to pursue floral design and greenhouse growing, her dream of a cooperative farming community is closer to becoming a reality. Carly is an avid reader, lover of coastlines, and has a penchant for finding a little magic in everything.
Longtime florist and green thumb, Carly first became interested in farming as an intern for the Ruth Mott Foundation. With a few years spent as a florist and urban farmer for the Flint Farmers Market, she became passionate about community supported agriculture. After a few more years of WWOOF-ing and studying, she garnered a passion for growing food sustainably and sharing that experience with others. Relocating to Ypsilanti in order to pursue floral design and greenhouse growing, her dream of a cooperative farming community is closer to becoming a reality. Carly is an avid reader, lover of coastlines, and has a penchant for finding a little magic in everything.
CJ Pratt
CJ, identifying as he/him, owns and operates Do-vine, an organic landscaping and urban farming business in Lansing Michigan. He is also a published spiritual poet, having written The Wayfarer and the Way Fair Journey: A Dream Lends Magic to Integrity, and he's an established mural artist that has had strong success in doing the work that he feels is a part of the solution to today's unsustainable injustices of society. It is his firm vision to evolve Do-vine into a self-reliant, organic food producer for urban Lansing and its surrounding municipalities, centering the growth around modern and futuristic technology, such as vertical farming, as Do-vine's 10 year, sustainable and achievable goal. Together, we can achieve. Sustainable agriculture is the answer!
CJ, identifying as he/him, owns and operates Do-vine, an organic landscaping and urban farming business in Lansing Michigan. He is also a published spiritual poet, having written The Wayfarer and the Way Fair Journey: A Dream Lends Magic to Integrity, and he's an established mural artist that has had strong success in doing the work that he feels is a part of the solution to today's unsustainable injustices of society. It is his firm vision to evolve Do-vine into a self-reliant, organic food producer for urban Lansing and its surrounding municipalities, centering the growth around modern and futuristic technology, such as vertical farming, as Do-vine's 10 year, sustainable and achievable goal. Together, we can achieve. Sustainable agriculture is the answer!
Heather Munro
Heather was born in Zimbabwe, grew up in South Africa, studied in East Texas, married a German and is currently living in West Bloomfield. Her father always had a kitchen garden and her mother has a green thumb for just about any plant. This guided Heather's passion in nutrition and healing plants. Her vision is to have a Healing Plant Farm in the future. Where that farm will be is still a bit of a mystery but starting to learn about farming at MSU is going to be a great step in the right direction.
Heather was born in Zimbabwe, grew up in South Africa, studied in East Texas, married a German and is currently living in West Bloomfield. Her father always had a kitchen garden and her mother has a green thumb for just about any plant. This guided Heather's passion in nutrition and healing plants. Her vision is to have a Healing Plant Farm in the future. Where that farm will be is still a bit of a mystery but starting to learn about farming at MSU is going to be a great step in the right direction.
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Hope Lovell
Hope Lovell, her name gives you a glimpse of her impact on the lives of others. She delivers on her promises as a transformational leader while coaching people to become their best. Hope’s convictions compel her to pioneer innovative systems of change while tackling difficult problems and encouraging corporate cultures that inspire! As a woman of faith, Hope found herself newly married, jobless, and 3 months pregnant with only one way forward…ownership! With the help of her mother, she pressed forward against all odds in pursuit of her dreams to become a recognized organizational leader and social entrepreneur. In her seemingly most critical time in life her greatness began to peak its head. What started as a small seed of faith, grew into a multi-million-dollar enterprise spanning several counties, creating jobs and serving countless families. Hope’s financial background and astute business practices has afforded her the opportunity to secure diverse funds from local, state, and federal authorities. Additionally, through SBA, Lansing Area Economic Partnership (LEAP), and Michigan Women’s Forward. As a natural born social entrepreneur with a heart for helping others, she established Transformational Advisory Group (TAG) corporation as a resource to educate and empower entrepreneurs across industries in a profound way. TAG has redefined what is means to be an incubator business hub providing not only structure and support but fund development in a meaningful way. Her tireless efforts and relentless fortitude have embraced her technical capabilities to lead complex enterprises in well recognized organizations and groups for nearly two decades. This includes her work on various boards of directors. She has served in leadership positions with ATHENA WIN, a women’s leadership organization affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce, as Treasurer of Jack & Jill of Greater Lansing and Michigan Coalition of Domestic & Sexual Violence, and as a trustee with Tabernacle of David. Currently, Mrs. Lovell is a public official and serves as Chairperson of the Board of the Ingham County Health Centers that provides primary care to nearly 30,000 patients annually. Mrs. Lovell received her Masters’ in Public Health from the University of Michigan. Also, she has a Bachelors’ in Finance from Michigan State University. Mrs. Lovell and her husband, Donald Lovell, have been married for over 15 years and reside in the Greater Lansing Area. Together they have 4 beautiful children. For fun, the Lovells enjoy music, traveling, and boating in the beautiful lakes of Michigan. |
Jacob Cohen
Jacob lives in Lakeview, MI with his SO Kaylee, two dogs (Michonne & Brisco) and cat Starbuck. They own 37 acres of land and have spent the past two years stumbling through fruit & vegetable gardening and animal management but they wouldn’t have it any other way!
Jacob’s goal is to turn their property into a working homestead that not only provides his family with as much food and staples as practically possible, but also allow him to quit his full-time office job and spend his days healing the land!
Jacob lives in Lakeview, MI with his SO Kaylee, two dogs (Michonne & Brisco) and cat Starbuck. They own 37 acres of land and have spent the past two years stumbling through fruit & vegetable gardening and animal management but they wouldn’t have it any other way!
Jacob’s goal is to turn their property into a working homestead that not only provides his family with as much food and staples as practically possible, but also allow him to quit his full-time office job and spend his days healing the land!
Jessica Mazzoli
Jessica has grown up and lived in southeast Michigan her whole life. She has many happy memories of visiting and helping on her uncles dairy farm growing up. Unhappy with her current career and wanting to lead a more purposeful life connected to animals and nature, she’s pursuing farming for the chance to live a more sustainable and grounded lifestyle. She is excited for this new chapter!
Jessica has grown up and lived in southeast Michigan her whole life. She has many happy memories of visiting and helping on her uncles dairy farm growing up. Unhappy with her current career and wanting to lead a more purposeful life connected to animals and nature, she’s pursuing farming for the chance to live a more sustainable and grounded lifestyle. She is excited for this new chapter!
Julia Majewski
Julia Majewski was introduced to farming during her undergraduate studies at GVSU. She graduated from GVSU with a bachelors in Nursing and minor in Environmental Science. During her college career she interned at GVSU's Sustainable Agriculture Program (SAP), a small learning farm, where she was introduced to the basic aspects of farming. From there her love and understanding of farming and agriculture grew. After becoming an RN, the pandemic made her priorities shift and started her journey into agriculture. She is now employed in the upcoming 2021 season as a farmhand at Blandford Nature Center. She wants to continue her farming experience by working under seasoned farmers until she is prepared to start her own farm.
Julia Majewski was introduced to farming during her undergraduate studies at GVSU. She graduated from GVSU with a bachelors in Nursing and minor in Environmental Science. During her college career she interned at GVSU's Sustainable Agriculture Program (SAP), a small learning farm, where she was introduced to the basic aspects of farming. From there her love and understanding of farming and agriculture grew. After becoming an RN, the pandemic made her priorities shift and started her journey into agriculture. She is now employed in the upcoming 2021 season as a farmhand at Blandford Nature Center. She wants to continue her farming experience by working under seasoned farmers until she is prepared to start her own farm.
Katie Sampson
I have recently moved to Rochester, Michigan from London, UK where I was the head gardener at a urban community farm in central London. Originally from northern Michigan, my husband and our three children made the move to southeast Michigan, where we now live on 14 acres with hopes of setting up some sort of community oriented farm. I am passionate about connecting people with the land and where their food comes from. I am particularly interested in sharing my love of growing with kids and passing on both the knowledge and joy of getting your hands dirty!
My other interests include pottery, walks in the woods and cooking! I especially love cooking the food I grow or raise.
I have recently moved to Rochester, Michigan from London, UK where I was the head gardener at a urban community farm in central London. Originally from northern Michigan, my husband and our three children made the move to southeast Michigan, where we now live on 14 acres with hopes of setting up some sort of community oriented farm. I am passionate about connecting people with the land and where their food comes from. I am particularly interested in sharing my love of growing with kids and passing on both the knowledge and joy of getting your hands dirty!
My other interests include pottery, walks in the woods and cooking! I especially love cooking the food I grow or raise.
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Kristin Bunte
Kristin Bunte has worked on a flower farm for two seasons. She has a bachelor's degree in natural resources & environment from U of M, and is interested in the health, nutritional, and environmental benefits of organic farming. |
Melissa Holahan, DVM, DACVECC
Melissa is a Southeast Michigan native. She’s a small animal veterinary specialist living a large animal farm life. In 2016, she and her husband purchased a 10-acre farm property. Before they closed on the house, Melissa had already put deposits down on four Nigerian dwarf goats. Four goats, turned into many more and a micro dairy was born. This passion quickly took off into a small business (Goat Melk Soap Co.) featuring all natural products from her farm at Chubb E Acres. Melissa has a continual thirst for knowledge and believes we should never stop learning. She is always striving to put evidence-based research into her everyday practice on the farm both with her livestock care and organic market gardening. She is looking forward to OFTP and continuing to work towards her dream of opening a cafe in her hometown, which would feature an airbnb, an onsite market garden & a small livestock farm with a focus on connecting the community through food and education.
Melissa is a Southeast Michigan native. She’s a small animal veterinary specialist living a large animal farm life. In 2016, she and her husband purchased a 10-acre farm property. Before they closed on the house, Melissa had already put deposits down on four Nigerian dwarf goats. Four goats, turned into many more and a micro dairy was born. This passion quickly took off into a small business (Goat Melk Soap Co.) featuring all natural products from her farm at Chubb E Acres. Melissa has a continual thirst for knowledge and believes we should never stop learning. She is always striving to put evidence-based research into her everyday practice on the farm both with her livestock care and organic market gardening. She is looking forward to OFTP and continuing to work towards her dream of opening a cafe in her hometown, which would feature an airbnb, an onsite market garden & a small livestock farm with a focus on connecting the community through food and education.
Michelle Adams
Michelle Adams is an editor and marketing consultant specializing in the home decor industry. After 15 years of working for magazines and helping brands design and sell home goods, Michelle is looking for work that has more meaning. She is new to farming, and excited to learn how to integrate sustainable practices with her love of design. Michelle has degrees in advertising and textile design from MSU, and enjoys antiquing, skiing, traveling, and hiking with her goldendoodle.
Michelle Adams is an editor and marketing consultant specializing in the home decor industry. After 15 years of working for magazines and helping brands design and sell home goods, Michelle is looking for work that has more meaning. She is new to farming, and excited to learn how to integrate sustainable practices with her love of design. Michelle has degrees in advertising and textile design from MSU, and enjoys antiquing, skiing, traveling, and hiking with her goldendoodle.
Miles Wood
A previous owner of Gallery Snowboards LLC based out of Grand Rapids and terrain park manager at Cannonsburg Ski Area. Firmly believes plants, fruits, mushrooms, and herbs are medicine and for the healing of the nations. Believes in a time when humans will come together and put aside their differences to solve these “unsolvable” world problems and wishes to be a part of the positive changes. Also a lover of Labrador Retrievers.
A previous owner of Gallery Snowboards LLC based out of Grand Rapids and terrain park manager at Cannonsburg Ski Area. Firmly believes plants, fruits, mushrooms, and herbs are medicine and for the healing of the nations. Believes in a time when humans will come together and put aside their differences to solve these “unsolvable” world problems and wishes to be a part of the positive changes. Also a lover of Labrador Retrievers.
Miller James McComish
Miller is a graduate of Hope College receiving a degree in sociology and studio art. Professionally, Miller has spent his time working in in-patient residential care for teens with autism and developmental disabilities, as well as being a commission based painter. Over the past few years, Miller has grown a passion for sustainable agriculture through urban homesteading, gardening, and volunteering/part-time work on an organic farm in the Grand Rapids area. Miller hopes to use the OFTP to continue to grow this passion for sustainable agriculture and to further his ability to accomplish his ultimate goal of starting his own organic farm and outreach organization.
Miller is a graduate of Hope College receiving a degree in sociology and studio art. Professionally, Miller has spent his time working in in-patient residential care for teens with autism and developmental disabilities, as well as being a commission based painter. Over the past few years, Miller has grown a passion for sustainable agriculture through urban homesteading, gardening, and volunteering/part-time work on an organic farm in the Grand Rapids area. Miller hopes to use the OFTP to continue to grow this passion for sustainable agriculture and to further his ability to accomplish his ultimate goal of starting his own organic farm and outreach organization.
Mollie Phukan
An Iowa Native and Michigan transplant, Mollie Phukan was first exposed to gardening as a little girl, helping her grandpa and aunts and uncles on the farm. As an adult, Mollie has been working on strengthening her green thumb through volunteer work and with her own backyard garden. She is excited to keep building on what she’s learned and hopes to someday own a small scale organic farm.
An Iowa Native and Michigan transplant, Mollie Phukan was first exposed to gardening as a little girl, helping her grandpa and aunts and uncles on the farm. As an adult, Mollie has been working on strengthening her green thumb through volunteer work and with her own backyard garden. She is excited to keep building on what she’s learned and hopes to someday own a small scale organic farm.
Molly Jo Barnes
About me….
My husband and I bought a 10 acre farm in Grant, MI (West MI). We have been growing gardens, cutting and baling hay, and boarding horses here for about two years. ALL of our produce not consumed by us was given to families in need. We are striving to start farming for profit, we want to do a Lavender farm, make our own salsa and hot sauce. We plan to start keeping bees as well.
About me….
- 34yo Navy Veteran, married to a wonderful husband who is a Army Veteran
- mother of two amazing little kiddos, Adaline & Hayden
- survivor of Lyme Disease. Since Dec 2019
- Outdoor Enthusiast to include, hunting, fishing, farming, foraging, horses, hiking, & camping.
My husband and I bought a 10 acre farm in Grant, MI (West MI). We have been growing gardens, cutting and baling hay, and boarding horses here for about two years. ALL of our produce not consumed by us was given to families in need. We are striving to start farming for profit, we want to do a Lavender farm, make our own salsa and hot sauce. We plan to start keeping bees as well.
Myung bok Shin
Born in South Korea he came to U.S when he was 9 years old, grow up Canton Michigan. After high school he decided he wanted to travel around the world, so he decided to join U.S. Army. He got a chance to be station at Bamberg Germany for 2 years, South Korea for 1 year, 6 month in Kosovo, and rest remaining service in West Virginal. Till this day he still misses the military life and all the great experience he encounter and honored to serviced in U.S. Army.
Myung Bok grow up where his family have small sustainable farm, his dad started farming over 30 years where his son learn and carried out his methods on farming gaining important knowledge of farming and understanding about the farm. He join the MSU OFTP to get better understanding and coexist old ways and new ways of farming.
Born in South Korea he came to U.S when he was 9 years old, grow up Canton Michigan. After high school he decided he wanted to travel around the world, so he decided to join U.S. Army. He got a chance to be station at Bamberg Germany for 2 years, South Korea for 1 year, 6 month in Kosovo, and rest remaining service in West Virginal. Till this day he still misses the military life and all the great experience he encounter and honored to serviced in U.S. Army.
Myung Bok grow up where his family have small sustainable farm, his dad started farming over 30 years where his son learn and carried out his methods on farming gaining important knowledge of farming and understanding about the farm. He join the MSU OFTP to get better understanding and coexist old ways and new ways of farming.
Remi Harrington
Russell Peacock
Sean Gies
Sean is a native of Chicago who, after graduating from Lawrence University in Wisconsin in 2019 (studying International Relations and Arabic, among other things), found himself returning to farm work during the all-consuming pandemic. Since then, he’s developed a deep conviction about the transformative power of soil biodiversity, ecology, and locally-based business practices in agriculture. He hopes to build a successful farm business with his father in the coming years and to continue branching out from there. Most importantly, he’s very excited to contribute and learn from the OFTP community!
Sean is a native of Chicago who, after graduating from Lawrence University in Wisconsin in 2019 (studying International Relations and Arabic, among other things), found himself returning to farm work during the all-consuming pandemic. Since then, he’s developed a deep conviction about the transformative power of soil biodiversity, ecology, and locally-based business practices in agriculture. He hopes to build a successful farm business with his father in the coming years and to continue branching out from there. Most importantly, he’s very excited to contribute and learn from the OFTP community!
Vianne Robinson
She is an Army Veteran and Native to Detroit. In 2020 Life inspired her with a challenge to start a charity based agricultural organization built around many components of farming and Apiary education. Her desired goal is to get more veterans involved in agriculture and expose more community members multiple forms of farming while providing them with the opportunity to garden on our property. She is a mom of three and serves as an active member in the community As a Girl Scout Troop Leader and District Support Liaison with Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan.
She is an Army Veteran and Native to Detroit. In 2020 Life inspired her with a challenge to start a charity based agricultural organization built around many components of farming and Apiary education. Her desired goal is to get more veterans involved in agriculture and expose more community members multiple forms of farming while providing them with the opportunity to garden on our property. She is a mom of three and serves as an active member in the community As a Girl Scout Troop Leader and District Support Liaison with Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan.