Ellie Thompson (she/her)
Rogue Valley Farm to School, Education Program Manager
Education Hub Lead
Jackson & Josephine Counties
Growing up on a small farm outside of Eugene, Oregon, I have always had a passion for learning and exploration. I studied biology in college and fell in love with plant science and ecology, but as I was finishing up my degree, I felt like I was being drawn to teaching. Everything came full circle while I was pursuing my master’s degree in Environmental Education at Southern Oregon University, where I had the opportunity to work with Rogue Valley Farm to School as an intern in 2017 and then as a staff member starting in 2019. Since then, I have fallen more and more in love with the farm to school movement and the incredible opportunities it creates for students to make meaningful connections with the natural world and the food that nourishes our bodies.
Southern Oregon is such a rich place for children to explore the world around them by getting their hands dirty in the school garden and tasting fresh, local produce grown close to home. Our regional hub provides a place for educators to come together to celebrate successes, share best practices for farm and garden-based education and work together to overcome challenges. Ask me about joining our Community of Practice!
ellie@rvfarm2school.org
Abigail Blinn (she/her)
Procurement Coordinator/RARE AmeriCorps Member
Procurement Hub Lead
Jackson & Josephine Counties
Working in partnership with Rogue Valley Farm to School and Rogue Valley Food System Network, I am in a position to leverage food and farm business, as well as relationships with schools and other institutions to increase local purchasing in the region. I have a background in nutritional science as a Registered Dietitian and have focused much of my work on food access and food systems.
I've worked in community development with a nutrition/health lens since 2018. My passion for contributing to a local food system all community members can be a part of has added energy and capacity towards food access issues in a variety of settings. I've worked with New Hampshire Farm to School program, Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network on the state-wide level, Willamette Farm and Food Coalition, Adams County Food Policy Council in Pennsylvania, and the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition, and now can hone in on my skills/interests here in Southern Oregon. Having a strong farm to school program in the state is a huge asset - and one that can help address wicked, complex problems with the current food system!