Our Staff & Board

The Youth Garden Project relies on a team of people to carry out our programs & events, grow the garden, and achieve our mission. The core of this team includes five full-time staff members, one AmeriCorps State member, seasonal programs instructors, our high school summer Seed Crew members, and dedicated volunteers serving as our Board of Directors. Find out our more about the staff and board of YGP below.

Interested in joining our team? Check for job openings.

Meet Our Staff

Our Staff, Youth Garden Project
Emily

Executive Director

Emily has been Executive Director of YGP since Fall 2021, after having first spent a season as a garden intern and then two years in the Outreach & Development Coordinator role. Emily sees the garden as an invaluable asset to the Moab community. She’s excited to continue developing YGP as a place where people of all ages can learn new skills and foster meaningful relationships to their local environment, the food system, and with each other.

Contact: 
emily@youthgardenproject.org

Our Staff, Youth Garden Project
Katie

Youth Programs Director

Katie joined the Youth Garden Project team in Winter of 2024 as the Youth Program Director. Having spent a few seasons in Moab before, she is very excited to be back and working alongside the Moab community! Katie values community connections and spaces. She believes gardens are wonderful places to bring people together all while having fun, learning, and caring for the earth and ourselves!

Contact: 
katie@youthgardenproject.org

Our Staff, Youth Garden Project
Jessie

Outreach & Development Coordinator

Jessie first joined YGP as an AmeriCorps VISTA member from 2020-2021, and returned as Outreach & Development Coordinator in January 2022. She is excited to further foster connections between YGP, the Moab community, and the natural world. 

Contact:
jessie@youthgardenproject.org

 

Our Staff, Youth Garden Project
Sarah

Produce Manager

Sarah first joined YGP as a Farm Intern in 2020. She returned the following season as YGP’s Produce Manager. Sarah sees local food as a valuable tool in nourishing our community’s health and resiliency.

Contact:
sarah@youthgardenproject.org

 

Our Staff, Youth Garden Project
Ben

Farm Manager

Ben moved to Moab to be YGP’s Farm Manager in winter 2022. Ben is ready to put down roots here to grow a community and explore all that Moab has to offer. He is looking forward to getting his hands in the dirt and sharing his passion for nature with all.

Contact:
ben@youthgardenproject.org

 

Meet Our 2023 AmeriCorps Member

Our Staff, Youth Garden Project
Abby

2023 AmeriCorps State Food Education & Access Coordinator

Abby joined YGP in winter 2023 through the AmeriCorps program. She has studied food systems and nutrition and is passionate about connecting people to their food through gardening and cooking. She’s excited to work in the garden and hike around Moab.

Meet Our Board of Directors

Desiree Westfall
Chair

Physician Assistant, Moab Regional Hospital

Anne Clare Erickson
Vice Chair

Sales Director

Tim Graham
Insect Ecologist

Ellie Keyser
Full time Mom & Former Teacher

Joyce Marienfeld
School Counselor, Retired

Laura Harris
Development Specialist, Housing Authority of Southeastern Utah