Our Crew
Board
In the mid 70’s, Christine discovered Waldorf Education and pursued a teaching career, first with Waldorf high school students and later in a residential community for troubled youth in California. In 1979, with her husband, David, she moved to NY to raise their family of four in a Waldorf Community at Threefold Foundation. It was here that she first began volunteering at a co-op buying club. Before long, she was part of a small group that transitioned the garage buying club into a full service retail market, specializing in organic and local fresh food. As General Manager, Christine’s interest in the politics of food became a passion, and supporting small, local farms a mission for the Hungry Hollow Co-op. In 2007, Christine and David moved to Maine, because of the developing Maine Coast Waldorf High School initiative. From 2008 until her retirement the summer of 2018, Christine served as MCWS’s Administrator. She is thrilled to be focused again on her passion for building community through the love of family, food, farms, and service.
As one of the Co-Founders and Board Members at Growing to Give, Patty is usually the “lead” regarding events on the farm, grant-writing, and much more. Patty started her career as a pediatric physical therapist, and early on she combined her love of horses with her skills as a therapist, starting a nonprofit in 1993 for people with disabilities called Riding to The Top (RTT) Therapeutic Riding Center, which is now located in Windham, Maine. Since then, she has worked at RTT as the executive director, volunteer coordinator, program director, board member, and riding instructor. Patty has also worked a massage therapist. In addition, she has served as a coordinator for numerous nonprofit fundraising and community-building events, and most recently, she began a new career tutoring dyslexic children in reading skills, while continuing to host farm-stay guests at Scatter Good Farm. For fun and relaxation, Patty enjoys cross country skiing, kayaking, singing, campfires, board games, and spending time with family and friends.
Barbara has lived in Maine for over 35 years. From childhood days when she would go for walks with her uncle finding acorns to grind into flour, identifying different types of plants, and making ink from berries, Barbara has enjoyed nature and all it has to offer. After living two hours from New York City for many years, she and her husband moved to Maine for a different pace of life for their growing family. She has volunteered and worked at Maine Coast Waldorf School, most recently, as the Finance Director. Now she volunteers at the St. Vincent Soup Kitchen in Portland as well as the food pantry at Freeport Community Services. She has a passion for gardening, hiking, bicycling, playing piano and spending time with friends. She is excited to be part of this wonderful organization and looks forward to participating in more events at the farm.
Liv works on the finance team at The Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland. Originally from New Hampshire, she moved to Maine in 2017 after a decade in New York City working in various nonprofit development and operations roles. Most recently, Liv served as the Interim Executive Director for Maine GearShare, a nonprofit outdoor gear lending library, where she steered the organization’s incorporation, launch, and transition to long-term leadership. Her background also includes a year working as an English teacher in rural China and travelling across Asia. Liv passionately believes in the power of the nonprofit sector, especially its impact on local communities, economies, and environments. She is honored to support the continued growth of Growing to Give to help address food insecurity in our community. She is a proud graduate of Skidmore College, where she studied government, and University of Southern Maine, where she studied accounting. Liv lives in North Yarmouth with her husband, two kids, and a sleepy dog named Rufus.
Moving to Maine in 2021, after living most of her life in various urban and suburban Midwest locales, has been a dream come true for Arlene. Her long standing affinity for New England and enjoyment of outdoor activities have her enjoying a lifestyle she always wanted! Largely through her involvement with Growing to Give, Arlene is grateful to be engaged with many dynamic and conscientious people in our local community. As a former family physician and current high school math educator, Arlene’s motivation to teach has always been present, as has her enthusiasm for volunteerism and her focus on a variety of social justice and environmental issues. When she’s not out birdwatching, hiking/walking, biking or kayaking, she’s generally reading, on zoom with friends and family, or enjoying homemade bagels and a delicious dinner prepared by her husband Andy.
Matt moved to Maine in September 2016 to attend Bates College, where he graduated in May 2020 with degrees in economics and psychology. He currently lives in Portland, where he works as a Resident Service Coordinator for Avesta Housing. As a RSC, he helps over 200 low income households establish and maintain stable tenancies with Avesta. As part of that work, Matt has helped distribute rescued groceries and produce from Wayside Food Programs, Cultivating Community, and the Locker Project to his residents in Portland’s Bayside and East Bayside neighborhoods. Matt has also helped the City of Portland’s SNAP-ED team organize Cooking Matters classes for residents of three Avesta communities.
David has worked in local agriculture for the last ten years, including as the Co-owner of East of Eden Flower Farm. With his wife, Julia, he operated the farm full time for four years, selling flowers at the Downtown Brunswick and Crystal Spring Farmers Market, as well as Morning Glory Natural Foods. They downsized the business slightly in 2020 after their daughter was born and David eventually transitioned to working at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention in Brunswick in 2023, where he manages the Food Bank and the Merrymeeting Gleaners. David and Julia live in Bowdoinham where they are kept busy and more than a little bit overwhelmed by a farmstand, a dog and two kids under five.
Laddy grew up on a small farm in Aurora Maine and lived there until she moved to Worcester Massachusetts to attend Clark University. She graduated in 2020 and got involved with the Regional Environmental Council in Worcester where she worked on their YouthGROW program, an agricultural focused, youth development and employment program. She then returned to Maine and began working at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention in Brunswick, where she currently works, to coordinate the door-to-door food delivery program. She is excited to be a part of the Growing to Give community and support the organization in continuing to achieve its mission.
Thacher currently works on the policy & research team at Maine Farmland Trust. In the fall, he will be attending the University of Maine School of Law, where he plans to focus on land use and environmental law. Thacher has a great appreciation for Maine’s farms and farmers and is excited to help advance the mission of Growing to Give. His previous experience includes working as a daily newspaper reporter and as a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s backcountry Hut Crew in the N.H. White Mountain National Forest. Thacher grew up in southern Maine and now resides in Portland. He enjoys cycling, hiking, and spending time in the great outdoors.
Michelle is a lifelong Mainer with deep ties to the land. As a proud Mi’kmaq and member of Eskasoni First Nation Canada, she is passionate about preserving Indigenous traditions and supporting the community. Her connection to the land and her Mi’kmaq heritage inspires her to work with organizations like Growing to Give, where she is dedicated to addressing food insecurity and promoting sustainable agriculture. She and her husband own and operate Doherty’s North Freeport Store for over 30 years, serving as a cornerstone of the local community. With a background in paralegal and customer support, Michelle brings a wealth of experience in the legal research, client relations, team management and operational efficiency. She is actively involved in her community, volunteering with (MCHPP) Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, serving on a Wabanaki steering committee, and supporting other local nonprofits. When not working, volunteering or spending time with family, Michelle enjoys time outdoors gardening, trail walking, mountain hiking, and immersing herself in her Wabanaki culture through traditional arts and crafts such as creating medicine bags, beadwork, and recently completing a medallion.
Lisa has been a neighbor to the Scatter Good Farm property for over 30 years where she has lived with her husband, Burnham, and raised her two children. She has watched it transform from a lovely open field to a vibrant and abundant farm, to what is now the home of Growing to Give, bustling with volunteers, staff and interns. Lisa became involved with Growing to Give as a Merrymeeting Gleaner during its first season and has continued to volunteer by planting, watering, weeding, washing or harvesting anything vegetable related. When not at Growing to Give, Lisa can be found in her own garden or walking on trails. Lisa was the Garden Coordinator and Educational Liaison for the Tom Settlemire Community Garden where she organized workshops and field trips for first graders in the Brunswick school system.
Aside from loving to have her hands in the soil, Lisa has been a public elementary school educator for over 30 years in Maine and New Hampshire. Trained as a Reading Specialist, Lisa spends most of her school hours helping students engage in literacy and math learning. Whenever possible, she shares her passion for growing things with her students hoping that they will grow green thumbs too.
Aside from loving to have her hands in the soil, Lisa has been a public elementary school educator for over 30 years in Maine and New Hampshire. Trained as a Reading Specialist, Lisa spends most of her school hours helping students engage in literacy and math learning. Whenever possible, she shares her passion for growing things with her students hoping that they will grow green thumbs too.
Tami Goodrich found herself coming to Maine in 2010 from the hills of southern Indiana where everyone has time to drop in for conversation on the front porch swing and waves as they pass on the road. Her grandparents instilled gardening and food preservation in her childhood alongside caring for her neighbors by sharing in the wealth of healthy produce. There has not been a year that has gone by in her life where planting of gardens, eating fresh produce, and sinking her hands into the earth has centered her soul. Tami’s background is diverse as she has spent time as a graphic designer, instructional designer, college lecturer, and for the past 10 years a real estate agent, investor and consultant. Tami lived much of her childhood not knowing where food would come from outside of the garden and help from the community. Growing to Give provides an outlet for Tami to have the community aspect that her family instilled in her: giving love back to the community by helping provide healthy food to those in need. As a sponsor and Board Member, Tami is excited at the opportunity to share her knowledge and skills to help Growing to Give continue its growth trajectory.
Jamie works for the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and the Merrymeeting Food Council in agriculture-focused roles. She and her husband co-founded and own Flight Deck Brewing in Brunswick. Jamie previously worked for MOFGA on the Common Ground Fair team, worked in local agriculture, and spent years working in the veterinary and hospitality industries. She volunteers with the SNAPMatch Program at the Bath Farmers’ Market, serves on city committees in Bath, and volunteers with a handful of other non-profits in the area. She and her husband live in North Bath.
Jeff originally hails from the central coast of California, where fresh, natural food is a way of life. Growing up in a mixed household of eastern and western cultures that both highly value cuisine, he finds his greatest sense of community in the kitchen and around the dinner table. He lives with his wife, daughter and cats in Portland, where his door is always open for friends to stop in for a meal. He is a longtime insurance agent, and owns a Farmers Insurance agency in South Portland. When he’s not in his office, he can be found cooking, painting or hiking the many wonderful trails of Maine. Jeff first joined Growing to Give as a volunteer, and has been honored to contribute further in grant writing and community outreach and development.
Staff
Molly Cooper is a nonprofit leader who believes big impact starts with strong teams, clear vision, and purpose-driven strategy. Known for her steady leadership and ability to navigate change, she brings both strategic thinking and heart to her work.
Molly has been appointed Executive Director of Growing to Give, stepping into a newly established role to guide the organization into its next chapter of growth and impact. She focuses on strengthening organizational foundations, deepening community connections, and ensuring thoughtful, sustainable growth while honoring the heart of the mission.
With more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, outdoor and agricultural education, and community-centered programming, Molly has built a career grounded in operational excellence and mission-driven growth. She has led initiatives at Wolfe’s Neck Center and the YMCA, expanding programs, guiding teams, and strengthening organizational capacity.
Passionate about food access and community health, Molly has supported initiatives that expand equitable access to nutritious, locally sourced food and strengthen Maine’s small farm and community food networks. She focuses on developing strong teams and implementing systems so organizations can grow with clarity and purpose.
When she’s not leading organizational growth, she can often be found exploring Maine’s coast, woods, and waters, grounded by nature and letting the outdoors restore and inspire her.
Lindsay moved back to New England and to Maine in 2021 after living in the Pacific Northwest for almost a decade. After farming with small-scale organic vegetable and flower operations for more than five years on the West Coast and then taking a four-year pause to stay home with her little ones, she is delighted to have her hands in the soil again. She is passionate about regenerative farming, dismantling barriers to high-quality produce, building community, and all things relating to food and flowers. She graduated from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina, in 2011 with a BA in Creative Writing and then moved to Oregon and spent several years working odd jobs before she found her way to farming. She currently lives in Auburn, Maine with her little family, where they care for their ever-expanding vegetable, medicinal herb, and flower gardens. When she’s not at the farm, Lindsay is baking, gardening, creating, exploring the woods and coasts or restoring the old home she shares with her husband and two curious little boys who like to be a part of everything.
Martha has lived in North Yarmouth for 24 years. A former 4th grade teacher, Martha’s more recent volunteer pursuits have involved serving as a member and chair of MSAD #51’s Board of Directors, tutoring newer Mainers in language and citizenship, and leading social justice and education ministries at the Congregational Church in Cumberland. She and her husband have three children and are fortunate to live on a property that allows for a big vegetable garden, an orchard and bee hives. Martha started and currently runs a granola company called Martha’s Maine Mix, selling small batch granola (made with her own organic honey and maple syrup!) which sells at local natural food stores. Her passions include gardening, vegetables, education, outdoor activities, and political advocacy.
Allie fell into the world of food systems while working on an oyster farm the summer after she graduated from college. Since then, she’s worked on a mushroom farm, at a food security hub, and has obtained a master’s degree in equitable local seafood systems from the University of Maine. She is excited to venture into vegetable farming at Growing to Give. Outside of work, Allie finds joy in cooking, searching for new ocean swim spots, and sewing (a skill she acquired in graduate school!).
Carol was raised in Connecticut where she has memories of picking beans and weeding in the family garden. She graduated from Ithaca College with an accounting degree, became a mother, ran a child day care from her home, and worked as an independent insurance agent until retiring in 2017. Besides spending time with her grandchildren she has found a sense of purpose volunteering in retirement. She has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Healing Garden and Café at Midcoast Hospital, and the Merrymeeting Gleaners, where she served as Team Leader, and Growing to Give before joining staff in 2023. For fun Carol likes to spend time wandering the woods and beaches with her husband, Stu, and their goldendoodle, Kaylee, as well as boating, traveling, and having dinner with friends.
Coming to Maine from the lakes and mountains of New Hampshire, Meghan has always felt a connection to the environment in this part of the world. After graduating from Colby College in 2020, she spent 10 months farming in Hawaii before moving to Sacramento to work as an ocean conservation advocate for Environment America. The promise of real winters brought her home to the Northeast and back to Maine, where she worked for two years as communications manager at Maine Conservation Voters. She’s thrilled to continue working on climate action and community engagement from another angle at Growing to Give — this time with her hands in the soil.