Our Team
Vickie Runyon
Board of Directors
Vickie, a resident of the Southeast side of Grand Rapids, has over ten years of experience working in education. As a mother and grandmother, she is concerned about the lack of opportunities for youth in the Southeast side, and is eager to see opportunities emerge for young people in the community through the agricultural work on this project.
John Everett
Board of Directors
John, a resident of the Southeast side of Grand Rapids, holds a Bachelors of Science in Biosystems and Agriculture Engineering from Michigan State University. His experiences include designing and constructing commercial greenhouses, agricultural waste mitigation, farm technical maintenance, designing sustainable growing systems, and growing and selling organic produce on farms across Michigan.
Dale Mitchell
Board of Directors
Dale Mitchell runs an organic blueberry farm that began in 1968 when his parents purchased land in Grand Junction, Michigan. He was twelve years old when he started planting his first blueberries with his father. Their farm was certified organic in 2010. He has served on the Bangor School Board, as well as the Board for Rooted, a nonprofit providing community programs, birth services, and youth enrichment centering on BIPOC experiences.
Nasir “Solo” Weaver
Solo, a resident of the Southeast side of Grand Rapids, never turns down an opportunity to be of service to others. Solo has volunteered for the Midwest Regional Training Institute, working with youth in the community on personal growth and community service initiatives since 2022.
David Douglas
Board of Directors
David has devoted the past thirty years of his career to promoting racial justice and equity in education as a teacher, school administrator, and author of eight publications on race unity. He volunteers as a teacher of virtues-based children’s classes on the Southeast side of Grand Rapids, and is eager to continue collaboration with residents of all ages who are interested in agriculture and environmental justice.