Our Committees
Our DEUFFC sub-committees are small working groups that allow DEUFFC to accomplish it’s mission by tackling projects and events focused around a particular topic. You can view a summary of each committee down below. If you would like to join or learn more about any of the committees, please contact that listed chair person in the description.
Current Steering Committee
Made up of committee chairs and appointed members this committee acts as the board of the Coalition by providing oversight and guidance to the group. Current members of the Steering Committee include:
Madison Walter - Urban Agriculture Coordinator, New Castle Conservation District
Dr. Riue Brown - Adjunct Professor, Goldey Beacom College and Founder/Executive Director of the Innersource Wellness Center and Urban Regenerative Sustainability
Elisa King - Owner, Cultivate Forward Consulting
Lydia Sarson- Executive Director, Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids
Acacia Blassengale - Owner/Farmer, Rabbits 4 Good
Karen Curtis- New Castle County Master Gardener
Carlos Charriez - Science Teacher & Organic Garden Manager, Westtown School
Karen Igou- Senior Project Manager for Community Engagement, Green Building United
Jamie Shanklin - Owner, Messiah’s Market
Governance Committee
This standing committee exists to develop and maintain a mode of governance for the Coalition including the development of organizational structures and the creation of new committees. Most recently they have work on the re-structing of DEUFFC based on membership feedback.
Contact Dr. Riue Brown with questions at innersourcewellnesscenter@gmail.com
Policy Committee
Our policy committee’s focus is to evaluate and improve the way that DEUFFC activities are supported, allowed, and otherwise permitted by the political process.
Key responsibilities include:
Evaluating the variables that constrain effective accomplishment of DEUFFC mission, vision, and goals
Prioritizing strategic focus areas and recommending strategies to achieve a positive outcome
Participating in the political process and advocating for policies which will enhance the ability of the DEUFFC and its member organizations to operate
Issuing white papers to raise awareness about target issues and help readers understand problems and potential solutions in a clear and concise manner. Recently, the committee finished the development of a Urban Agriculture Zoning Brief focusing around the City of Wilmington.
Additionally, the committee has also been working to provide support to the DDA’s Advisory Council on Farm and Food Policy.
Contact chair Karen Curtis, kacurtis@udel.edu, with questions or learn how to join!
Education and Outreach Committee
The Education and Outreach Committee is a standing committee which exists to develop marketing strategies and provide linkages to educational resources that support the mission, vision, and goals of the DEUFFC.
Key responsibilities include:
Connecting with the community to increase awareness of local healthy food access points (such as produce retailers, farmers’ markets, farm stands, community gardens, CSA’s, and/or other healthy food enterprises or services providing programming around access and availability)
Cooking demos at local food stands (Summer)
Monthly Flyers for Farmers Markets/Food Pantries (Spring/Summer)
Connecting with the community to increase awareness of nutrition education resources aimed at increasing voluntary adoption of healthy food choices
Help to coordinate Urban Ag Session during Delaware Ag Week
Summer Camp Collaboration
Prepare and deliver food education lessons aimed at introducing healthy food options to youth (Summer)
Are you interested in contributing to our efforts, sharing ideas, or joining the committee in another capacity? Contact committee chair Carlos Charriez with questions at ccharriez@yahoo.com.
The Community Garden Committee exists to connect new and existing community gardens to a variety of resources in order to support and sustain their activities. We are looking for ways to make this committee work for all to create an environment and and resources that will not only expand the reach of community gardens but also create a connected community for those with a passion for community gardens.
Key responsibilities include:
1) Create and maintain a compilation of resources to be used as a comprehensive point of reference, including the “The Northern Delaware Community Garden Toolkit,” and covering areas such as:
Technical assistance (horticulture, integrated pest management, and soil/water/nutrient management)
Organizational structure, administration, and guidelines
Coordinating membership, volunteerism, and outreac
Development and funding opportunities for ongoing sustainability and growth
2) Provide support to groups planning for the formation of new community gardens (setting realistic goals and expectations, engaging with the community, site selection and preparation)
3) Identify common challenges and barriers faced by community garden groups and recommend strategies to mitigate those barriers
4) Facilitate conversation between community garden stakeholders and encourage the cross-pollination of ideas through networking and social events like our spring “Ready, Set, Grow!” event and our fall “Golden Gourd Awards” event.
Would you like to join the committee, share ideas or participate in other ways? Contact Linda Ulmanis, Community Garden Committee Chair at lulmanis@msn.com
Community Garden Committee
Urban Farming Committee
For the first time in DEUFFC history, we’ve established an urban farming committee! The Urban Farm Committee aims to cultivate a network of urban farms and provide essential resources to enhance and sustain their impact on the community. Our goal is to create a vibrant environment that fosters a connected community passionate about urban farming, expanding its reach and influence in our area.
Key responsibilities include:
- Curating a comprehensive database of resources spanning technical guidance in horticulture, integrated pest management, and soil/water/nutrient management.
- Offering guidance on organizational structuring, administration, and operational guidelines.
- Supporting groups in establishing new urban farms by assisting in goal setting, community engagement, and site selection.
- Addressing challenges faced by urban farm initiatives and proposing solutions to overcome them.
- Fostering communication and knowledge
-sharing among urban farm stakeholders through networking events.
For those interested in learning more or joining this committee, contact Jamie Shanklin, Co-Chair of the Urban Farm Committee at messiahsmarket@gmail.com.