David Beller (Founder, Director)
David has fifteen years of experience in horticulture, agriculture, food policy and community food projects. He earned a bachelors degree in agroecology and sustainable agriculture from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a masters from the University of California, Berkeley. He also holds a certificate in ecological agriculture from the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. He has consulted and served as an instructor for a range of organizations domestically and internationally including Oregon State University and Merritt Community College. David previously managed the California Polytechnic State University Organic Farm and was an analyst for the California Food Policy Advocates. He has a background working with small and large agricultural businesses including Driscoll’s and Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo. David was an active leader on the Portland Multnomah Food Policy Council. His work buildin Mercy Corps Northwest’s agriculture project has helped 50 local refugee farmers improve their skills and incomes.
Jean Zondervan (Community Gardens Coordinator)
Jean has a decade of experience working for two local non-profits, The Portland Art Museum and The Library Foundation. She brings seasoned communications and project management skills in addition to her background growing up on a farm in Minnesota. Jean has a bachelor degree in English and Communications from Dordt College and a master degree in English from Austin State University. Jean has a passion for gardening and especially enjoys gardening with her two children. She has been active in their school garden in North Portland.
Seth Belber (Growers Alliance Lead Grower)
Seth is a Reed College graduate with a decade of organic farming and marketing experience. He was previously the farm manager at Persephone Farm in Lebanon, Oregon. He has also worked with Growing Gardens, Skyline Farm and Naomi’s Organic Farm Supply. Seth leads the education and marketing efforts at the Damascus farm in addition to the Growers Alliance sales at the Portland Farmers Market. He also contributes to other Grow Portland’s education and community-based efforts.
Brooke Hammond (Growers Alliance Lead Grower)
Brooke is a licensed social worker and has worked in agriculture and social work for over a decade. She started working with refugees 13 years ago as a social worker in Arizona and then Connecticut. She was drawn originally to farming as an outlet from the intensity of helping refugees who had experienced trauma in their home counties and at the same time faced deportation the US. Brooke was drawn to helping refugees grow food because many of the refugees she has helped as a social worker were farmers in their home countries and felt lost and out of place living in a congested city with no way to grow food. Brooke learned to farm by apprenticing on organic farms in Connecticut and California. She then co-ran a small CSA farm in Ridgefield, WA. She also works as a therapist doing trauma treatment and art therapy. Brooke has a bachelor degree in Psychology from Boston University and a Masters in Social Work from University of Washington.
Weston Miller (Board Member, Oregon State University Extension Service)
Weston serves as Community and Urban Horticulturist for Oregon State University Extension Service for the tri-county Portland metro area. Part of his duties inlcude managing the Master Gardener and Organic Gardening Certificate program to educate the general public about small-scale food production and ecological landscaping. Weston served as chair of the Portland Multnomah Food Policy Council in both 2008 and 2009. He brings a wealth of experience to Grow Portland as a farmer, landscaper, and educator. Weston lives in SW Portland with his wife and 2 young sons where he likes to garden and hike.
Nellie McAdams (Board Member, Friends of Family Farmers)
Nellie is a graduate of Lewis and Clark Law School. She serves as the iFarm Director and Policy liaison with the Friends of Family Farmers. Her work focuses on helping new farmers to access land and resources. She also advocates for federal and state policies which support sustainable agriculture and family farmers. Nellie grew up in Oregon and helps with her families’ hazel nut farm. She has also worked in the organic supply business and with Dancing Roots Farm, an organic operation in Troutdale.
Bill Kabeiseman (Board Member, Garvey Schubert Barer)
Bill Kabeiseman has practiced Oregon land use and municipal law for over 15 years. He has represented cities, developers and neighbors in multiple forums, including representing planning commissions, city councils, as well as arguing before the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals, the Oregon Court of Appeals and Oregon Supreme Court. He is of counsel to Garvey Schubert Barer and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Oregon for Land Use Law. Bill serves as general counsel for cities and other governmental entities, addressing the wide variety of issues that arise in land use, public contracting and election law. Before entering private practice, Bill clerked at both the Oregon Court of Appeals as well as the Oregon Supreme Court. He also spent two years representing the territory of American Samoa in environmental affairs. Bill’s community work has included service on the Multnomah County Planning Commission and other civic organizations including chairing the Oregon State Bar Task Force on Sustainability, resulting in the formation of the Sustainable Futures section of the Oregon State Bar.
