Meet the Garden Managers
Mike Rahe: Illinois State Fairgrounds Community Garden
Mike Rahe is a manager at the Office of Natural Resource Management for the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Office: 217-785-5594
Mobile: 217-370-0369
Email: mike.rahe@illinois.gov
Mike Rahe is a manager at the Office of Natural Resource Management for the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Office: 217-785-5594
Mobile: 217-370-0369
Email: mike.rahe@illinois.gov
Marnie Record: Lincoln Land Green Center Community Garden
Marnie Record is a Workforce Specialist at Lincoln Land Community College focusing on the development of a value-added local food certificate program, and other local food initiatives for the college. Marnie holds a master of science degree from Antioch New England in Environmental Studies. She has been dedicated to advancing the local food system for the past eight years in various roles of business, non-profit, and government organizations, and fell in love with beets working on her first farm.
Phone: 217-786-4993
Fax: 217-786-2463
Marnie Record is a Workforce Specialist at Lincoln Land Community College focusing on the development of a value-added local food certificate program, and other local food initiatives for the college. Marnie holds a master of science degree from Antioch New England in Environmental Studies. She has been dedicated to advancing the local food system for the past eight years in various roles of business, non-profit, and government organizations, and fell in love with beets working on her first farm.
Phone: 217-786-4993
Fax: 217-786-2463
Julius Simmons: Springfield Community Federation 'Garden of Eaten'
Julius Simmons Jr. works as the Executive Director for Springfield Community Federation (SCF), has a Bachelor Degree in Accountancy, with experience in accounting and information systems, program directing, consulting and supervising. He also has 10 years of experience in working with African-American target populations through direct services at the Springfield Urban League as a Field Consultant, Springfield Community Federation as a Program Administrator and Board Member as well as his current position as Executive Director of SCF. Mr. Simmons also has experience in administering Federal, State- IDPH Center of Minority Health Services, and Private Foundation Grants. Mr Simmons is also a childhood cancer survivor who has been in remission for 30 years and regularly participates in nation-wide cancer research and promotes healthy eating.
Mr Simmons works to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and families in the Springfield area. Accomplishments include coordinating volunteers, staff and participant efforts in the community garden. SCF is known as a "one stop shop" that provides services on site or directs people in the community to resources," and Mr Simmons has been instrumental in making that possible. New services that he helped make possible include programs such as positive parenting workshops, financial planning tools, income tax assistance on Fridays, free clothing giveaways on Thursdays, Social Security Payee assistance on Wednesdays and daily access to computers to help individuals look for employment and community gardening.
Office: 217-679-0629
Mobile: 217-331-3100
Fax: 217-679-0568
www.springfieldfederation.org
Julius Simmons Jr. works as the Executive Director for Springfield Community Federation (SCF), has a Bachelor Degree in Accountancy, with experience in accounting and information systems, program directing, consulting and supervising. He also has 10 years of experience in working with African-American target populations through direct services at the Springfield Urban League as a Field Consultant, Springfield Community Federation as a Program Administrator and Board Member as well as his current position as Executive Director of SCF. Mr. Simmons also has experience in administering Federal, State- IDPH Center of Minority Health Services, and Private Foundation Grants. Mr Simmons is also a childhood cancer survivor who has been in remission for 30 years and regularly participates in nation-wide cancer research and promotes healthy eating.
Mr Simmons works to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and families in the Springfield area. Accomplishments include coordinating volunteers, staff and participant efforts in the community garden. SCF is known as a "one stop shop" that provides services on site or directs people in the community to resources," and Mr Simmons has been instrumental in making that possible. New services that he helped make possible include programs such as positive parenting workshops, financial planning tools, income tax assistance on Fridays, free clothing giveaways on Thursdays, Social Security Payee assistance on Wednesdays and daily access to computers to help individuals look for employment and community gardening.
Office: 217-679-0629
Mobile: 217-331-3100
Fax: 217-679-0568
www.springfieldfederation.org
Sean Dickerson: Jefferson Park Community Garden
E-mail: seandickerson@springfieldparks.org
E-mail: seandickerson@springfieldparks.org
Adam Castelli: Seeds of Possibility Garden, Washington Middle School Garden, Feitshans Elemantary School Garden, Lee Elementary School Garden, Douglas School Garden, Vachel Lindsay Elementary School Garden, Wilcox Elementary School Garden, Blackhawk Elementary School Garden
Vera Garret: Springfield Community Garden Family Fit Centers
Vera Garrett is a resident of Springfield, IL for more than 27 years. She is currently employed with the USDA/FSA. Vera is a professional who recognizes the importance of community support & empowering it’s residents by educating neighborhoods on local health and wellbeing. Vera continues to work part time as a nurse promoting & teaching nutritional values of fruit and vegetable gardening as this serves as strong
indicators that links scientific research to community needs. A current graduate student in the Management and Organizational Behavior Program. As Vera moves forward in completing her M.S., she strives to establish an organization that exhibits positive collaborations producing community gardens that are successful & necessary.
Vera Garrett is a resident of Springfield, IL for more than 27 years. She is currently employed with the USDA/FSA. Vera is a professional who recognizes the importance of community support & empowering it’s residents by educating neighborhoods on local health and wellbeing. Vera continues to work part time as a nurse promoting & teaching nutritional values of fruit and vegetable gardening as this serves as strong
indicators that links scientific research to community needs. A current graduate student in the Management and Organizational Behavior Program. As Vera moves forward in completing her M.S., she strives to establish an organization that exhibits positive collaborations producing community gardens that are successful & necessary.
Candace Silas: Brandon Outreach Center Community Garden
Cory Blackwell: The Neighborhood Garden, The Neighborhood Garden IIThe Neighborhood Gardens is a partnership between Kumler Outreach Ministries, the Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association, and the Springfield Art Association. Our gardens are maintained by people who grow fresh food for their own households, for the Kumler food pantry, and for their neighbors.
Our vision is to foster an environment where people from all walks of life can come together to grow high-quality produce, learn how to garden, and create relationships with one another. In his, we strive to value the dignity of our neighbors and to understand how foundational nutrition is to a healthy and whole life.
Our vision is to foster an environment where people from all walks of life can come together to grow high-quality produce, learn how to garden, and create relationships with one another. In his, we strive to value the dignity of our neighbors and to understand how foundational nutrition is to a healthy and whole life.
Erica T. Austin: Invest an Acre Harambee Garden, Invest an Acre Unity of Faith Garden
