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
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
Erin
Youth Programs Director
Erin recently joined the YGP team as the Youth Programs Director in summer 2021. She has led youth programming and taught outdoor education seasonally around the country for the past few years and is excited to settle down in Moab for a while. Erin is looking forward to seeing youth learn about their food and connect with their local environment in a hands-on way.
Contact:
erin.v@youthgardenproject.org
Sarah
Produce Manager
Sarah first joined YGP as a Farm Intern in 2020. She returned the following season as YGP’s Farm Produce Manager. Sarah sees local food as a valuable tool in nourishing our community’s health and resiliency.
Contact:
sarah@youthgardenproject.org
Ben
Farm Manager
Ben moved to Moab to be YGP’s new Farm manager starting 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
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 about the opportunity to further foster connections between YGP, the Moab community, and our shared planet.
Contact:
jessie@youthgardenproject.org
Meet Our 2023 AmeriCorps and Seasonal Staff Members
Emily R.
2023 Secondary Programs Instructor
New to Moab and to YGP, Emily brings a background in natural resources, entomology and agricultural research. She enjoys nature, through hiking, bug spotting, yoga and cooking healthy meals from the garden. As our Secondary Programs Instructor, she is eager to have a part in instilling her values of environmental stewardship and responsible recreation in the next generation.
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.
Cara
2023 Elementary Programs Instructor
Nicole
2023 Elementary Programs Instructor
Excited to explore nature with kids, Nicole is coming to YGP with a background of working with youth in schools. She loves (and is always happy to chat about) trauma-informed care, yoga, her dog Tina and the outdoors. Nicole is eager to be a part of such a community driven and youth focused organization!
Meet our 2022 Seed Crew
From Left: Jackson, Emily ‘Bugz’ (YGP Seed Crew Lead), Leylia, and Carlos
Meet Our Board of Directors
Desiree Westfall
Chair
Physician Assistant, Moab Regional Hospital
Anne Clare Erickson
Vice Chair
Sales Director
Jen Sadoff
Treasurer
CEO, Moab Regional Hospital
Nan Marquardt
Secretary
Psychologist, Retired
Tim Graham
Insect Ecologist
Ellie Keyser
Full time Mom & Former Teacher
Joyce Marienfeld
School Counselor, Retired
Marcie Vargas
Health Equity Specialist, SEUHD