Meet Our Team

I’ve always lived in Staunton and I love the area. I go to Staunton High School, but I was homeschooled before the 9th grade. My favorite subject is math, and I intend to look for a career involving that. I also really like hands-on stuff, so I’m looking forward to learning gardening; I appreciate practicality, and gardening is an extremely useful skill. –Patricia W., 12th grade, Staunton High School

I was born in Newville, PA and have lived in 3 states. My most memorable place I’ve lived in is Staunton. I go to Staunton High School and I heard about Project GROWS from a teacher. When I am not working, I like to cook. -Kyra H., 11th grade, Staunton High School

I’ve lived in Augusta County my whole life, and I go to Fort Defiance High School. I attended a Project GROWS homeschool field trip a few years ago and became interested in the farm. In my free time, I love to make art of many mediums, go hiking, spend time with my big family, and care for house plants. After high school I plan to go to college and study art, psychology, and plants. –Rosie C., 12th grade, Fort Defiance High School

Nichole is a transplant to the Shenandoah Valley from Virginia Beach and after fourteen years is happy to call it home. After graduating with her BA in English and Master of Arts in Teaching from James Madison University, Nichole taught English to eighth graders in Harrisonburg, backpacked with Camp Woolman teenagers on the Pacific Crest Trail in California, and led forest field trips and directed summer camps in the woods as the children’s education coordinator at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. She originally connected with Project GROWS when she brought summer enrichment students to the farm for field trips, and she joined the Project GROWS team in 2018.

Always delighted to learn a new tree or wildflower name, Nichole’s passion lies in connecting young people to the outdoors and to local food production. In her free time you can find her on the trail in the George Washington National Forest, with a field guide in one hand and binoculars in the other.

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Megan comes from the beautiful state of Oregon, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health at Oregon State University. During her time at OSU she discovered her passion for the environment, nutrition, and the food system. Megan moved to Virginia in 2017 where she worked as a nutritionist assistant for WIC and her passion for food access grew stronger. In January of 2018 she found Project GROWS and started her journey as the team’s Food Access Manager.

Megan is often found managing the Farmer’s Markets, but she can also be found helping out on the farm and in the local schools. When she is not working, Megan enjoys cooking, hiking with her dog Moose, and exploring her new hometown in Harrisonburg, VA.

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Clara was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley. Following high school, she moved to the Pacific Northwest where she lived for several years honing her barista skills and exploring glacier lakes. Following a backpacking stint in India and Nepal trying every variation of curry and momos she could, Clara returned to the valley and completed her BA in Sociology with a concentration in Nutritional Science from Bridgewater College in December 2017. While at Bridgewater College, Clara’s passion for food justice as well as local and sustainable food systems was nurtured and ultimately led her to Project GROWS.

When she’s not at the farm, Clara spends her time experimenting in the kitchen while listening to podcasts, playing frisbee with her pup Ginger, and spending time with family and friends – preferably outdoors!

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Robert grew up in Staunton and after college spent time working outdoors with conservation programs in northern New Mexico, Arizona, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After adventuring in Alaska as a dog musher, Robert discovered a passion for farming as an Environmental Educator at the Rock Eagle 4H Center in Georgia, managing the farm at their History site. In 2018, Robert moved back home and is continuing his farming journey.

Robert has a degree in History and a degree in Classical Studies from Hampden Sydney College. He is also a Master Gardener and has a Blue Ribbon for his tomatoes. When he’s not on the farm, Robert is either playing mandolin, trail running, 3D printing, or spending time with his two dogs.

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If you were a vegetable, what would you be?

I would be some kind of Winter Squash, with vines sprawling all over the place. In the summertime, I’d be blossoming all over the place. When fall comes around, I’d be showstopping, popping out some crazy-looking Pumpkins or Squash! Varieties would include Galeux d’Esyine, North Georgia Candy Roaster, or Tromboniccio Rampicante.

Chelsea is a native of New Hampshire. She is grateful to have found a second home and community in the dynamic Shenandoah Valley. She graduated from JMU in 2019, where she became curious about the intersections between sustainability, health, the food system, and sense of place. In the Spring of 2019, Chelsea worked with Project GROWS as an intern focused on education and media. She has experience working at a local food hub in New Hampshire and teaching yoga. During college, she also became a regular at the farmer’s market, and is excited to now be managing the Project GROWS markets!

If you were a vegetable, what would you be?
I would be a cherry tomato embracing the hot summer weather, remembering that each season is a part of the process!

What do you love about farming?
I love that farming nudges…(or should I say demands!) that we work with the seasons, not against them. I am also continuously amazed by the quality and quantity of impact that communities can have when they come together to farm.

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In her own words, Project GROWS is “borrowing” Farmer Price from Radical Roots for the 2021 growing season! Price hails from Charleston, South Carolina. She majored in elementary education from Clemson University, graduating in 2019. While at Clemson, Price founded Clemson Hope, a non-profit with a  mission to empower students and teachers in Title 1 schools near Clemson, SC through relationships, resources, and opportunities. As a developing leader, Price brings a passion for sustainable agriculture, education, and relationship building into her farming practice and commitment to ending world hunger. When Price is not farming, she is sleeping because farming is tough work!

After teaching and doing administrative work at Mary Baldwin University for 28 years, I retired at the end of 2020. During those years, I taught accounting, finance, and statistics. I graduated from Florida State University (FSU) in 1983 with an MBA/Finance and went into the doctoral program in Finance. I left FSU to teach at James Madison University in 1986. My dissertation was never completed, so left JMU in 1992. I started at MBU in 1993. I spent several years as MBU as the Director of the Adult Degree Program (renamed Baldwin Online).