Our Board
VGFA’s Board of Directors manage the budget, oversee member activities and outreach, help organize the annual grazing and livestock conference, and represent grass-based livestock farmers at the state and regional events/activities.
Bruce Hennessey
President
Bruce grew up in the Finger Lakes of NY where he had lots of adventures hiking, skiing and biking, and with horses. After earning degrees in anthropology and mathematics, and a masters in education, he spent a number of years teaching in the classroom and in alternative settings. He also was a ski and mountain guide in the Rockies and abroad before starting an adventure travel business with his partner, Beth Whiting. He and Beth finally settled on grass farming after starting a family, and have now worked Maple Wind Farm for over two decades.
What I value most about VGFA:
We value connecting and sharing ideas with our farm and local food community. We continue to learn to graze through this organizations many programs and initiatives. But VGFA doesn't end with grass and soil, it goes beyond to help farmers bring their products to market, become better business people, and spur research into more effective processes.
Emily Finnegan
Vice-President
Emily works at the Caledonia County Natural Resources Conservation District in St. Johnsbury. As the District Manager, Emily works with agricultural producers (primarily small dairy producers) to write and update nutrient management plans, manages the district's conservation rental equipment program, organizes workshops and outreach events, and works on other natural resources projects. Prior to starting her position at the district in 2018, Emily earned a Master’s Degree in Community Development and Applied Economics from the University of Vermont. Emily also has experience in environmental education, and spent several years working for vegetable farms in Maine and Vermont. Emily is committed to protecting the natural resources of the Northeast Kingdom, while also ensuring the economic viability of the region’s agricultural producers. Emily lives in Lyndonville with her husband Finn, daughter Mae, and dog Ida.
What I value most about VGFA:
The incorporation of managed livestock grazing into the farm management systems of Vermont has the potential to enhance farm environmental sustainability and economic viability. VGFA, with their educational mission and steadfast support of grass-based livestock farmers, plays an integral role in this transition.
Steven Schubart
Treasurer
Steven Schubart owns and operates Grass Cattle Company, a grass fed beef operation in Charlotte. A graduate of Vermont Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Diversified Agriculture and an Associates degree in Dairy Herd Management, Steven has worked both in the beef and dairy industry in genetic and reproduction consulting and management, grass fed beef cooperative management, and in pasture-based meat supply chains. Steven volunteers on the boards of the Vermont Grass Farmers Association and Charlotte Land Trust, and is dedicated to keeping Vermont’s farms, ranches, and working landscapes in agricultural production.
What I value most about VGFA:
What I value most about VGFA is the opportunity to learn everyday!
Matthew Garcia
Secretary
Laurie Beyranevand
Director
Carol Degener
Director
I get to help Vermont farmers and food makers tell their brand story. This is about discovering why you do what you do and connecting that to what consumers care about. A clear strategy and a meaningful brand story is what fuels business success and lasting consumer connection. I have had the pleasure of working with the Vermont Food Hubs, NOFA and the famers they support, the Vermont Land Trust and VHCB and more. I have called Vermont home for the past 5 years. Prior to that I was the VP of Innovation for Pepperidge Farm.
What I value most about VGFA:
VGFA is a group of hardworking, kind-hearted people who are quietly doing the right thing...raising animals in a way that helps to regenerate the earth and feed people nourishing food.
Sara Armstrong Donegan
Director
Christine Lazor
Director
Ben Nottermann
Director
Jascha Pick
Director
Baird Swift
Director
Maureen Whitney
Director
Jenn Colby
Non-voting Advisor
Jenn Colby has operated Howling Wolf Farm, LLC a diversified meat livestock farm, in the Randolph, VT area since 2000. After participating in the Ranching for Profit (RFP) School and follow up board development program Executive Link, Jenn is actively growing her farm business using the RFP principles. In early 2021, she transitioned to farming full time.
On a part-time basis, Jenn is the project leader for the New England Grazing Network, and the co-Executive Director of the Northeast Pasture Consortium.
Previously, Jenn spent over 25 years helping livestock farmers find success and quality of life. Under this overarching theme, she was part of the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture’s Pasture Program for sixteen years, leading the program for ten. Jenn served as the Vermont Grazing and Livestock Conference coordinator, and led pasture and livestock-based educational activities, research and technical assistance around the state. She managed a UVM team providing technical assistance in the Long Island Sound Watershed (Connecticut River), was the co-chair of the Vermont Farm to Plate Network’s Production and Processing Working Group, and served on the boards of the East Central Vermont Development District and the Vermont Farm Show. Jenn has taught grazing and livestock courses at Sterling College and Vermont Technical College as well as regionally. In her local community, she is an advisor for the Randolph Technical Career Center agriculture program and volunteers for several community-school committees.
What I value most about VGFA:
More than anything, I value the culture of Grass Farmers. From the day I attended my first Grazing Conference 24 years ago, I felt welcome. This is a group who wants to learn more about the world and each other. There is a natural interdependence like an ecosystem. Unlike other groups I've experienced, there is a minimal feeling of competition or holding back...it's more about helping all grass farmers do better and be better, together.
Kimberly Hagen
Non-voting Advisor
As a member of the Pasture Team at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture, UVM Extension, for nearly a decade, and owner of a sheep farm in central Vermont for 32 years, grazing has been central to my daily life on both a professional and personal level.
What I value most about VGFA:
The meeting of minds, the exchange of ideas about grazing practices that work best for small and medium farmers in the northeast.
Colene Reed
Non-voting Advisor
Colene Reed is an advisor to the VGFA Board through her work with the University of Vermont's Center for Sustainable Agriculture Program. As Pasture Program Assistant Colene supports outreach events for the grazing and livestock community. Looking for any excuse to add dogs to her pack, Colene has an English Shepherd to herd her home flock of sheep and goats, a Hunt Terrier to mouse under the chicken grain bin and a rescue dog to greet homestead visitors. In addition to the homestead focused on rotationally grazing a diverse collection of livestock for food and land management, Colene raises meat rabbits for her home and community as Tipsy Fulcrum Rabbitry.
What I value most about VGFA:
I value Vermont Grass Farmer's Association as a community of farmers with rich experiences, and variety in farm size, livestock and grazing styles who find commonality and connection through a commitment to healthy soils, bio diverse ecosystems and viable farms.