Staff
Amanda Shreve
Executive Director | Email
Amanda has been part of the MIFMA team since November 2009. She says, “I am passionate about connecting the public with agriculture and growing awareness of what it takes to produce our food supply in a safe, equitable and environmentally sustainable way. I recognize that farmers markets are a very visible and tangible way to establish, maintain and grow this connection.”
Amanda obtained her Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Michigan State University. She enjoys floral design, gardening, and spending time with her husband and two dogs. Contact Amanda to discuss having MIFMA support an effort you are involved in and to explore partnering with MIFMA (including contracting with us to provide a service, working on a joint grant proposal and/or establishing an in-kind partnership or exchange of services).
Joe Lesausky
Food Access Director | Email
Joe’s experience includes earning a Bachelors of Science degree in Public and Non-Profit Administration from Grand Valley State University and over ten years spent in market management working with food assistance programs. He graduated from the inaugural MIFMA Market Manager Certificate program in 2011 and was recertified in August 2017. Joe joined the MIFMA team in March 2018, inspired by the mission to support Michigan farmers markets through food assistance programs.
Joe says, “Farmers markets are a fundamental community building location- connecting people to farmers, people to food, and people to people.” He is passionate about movies and genealogy. Contact Joe for information about accepting SNAP Bridge Cards, SNAP equipment troubleshooting, and Food Assistance Programs.
Julia Kramer
Assistant Director | Email
Julia joined the MIFMA team in November 2022 after 10 years of varied experience at farmers markets in the Greater Lansing Area. She managed Allen Farmers Market for 6 years and served on the MIFMA Board of Directors for over 4 years.
Julia says, "I am passionate about creating and practicing strategies to move towards equity and justice in the food system." Outside of work time, they enjoy hiking, foraging, and hosting potlucks.
Jenny Radon
Programs Director | Email
Jenny obtained a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Sustainability with a minor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems at Michigan State University. Since joining MIFMA in June 2018, she has focused her efforts on program and event organization and farmers market data collection.
Jenny says, “Farmers markets serve as essential spaces for access to fresh, local, and culturally appropriate foods, as well as places for communities to gather.” Contact Jenny to enroll in the Market Manager Certificate Program, participate in the Farmers Market at the Capitol, and about sharing your expertise with the farmers market community.
Ashley Wenger
Programs Director | Email
Ashley hails from the Midwest, graduating from Purdue University with a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering. She has over five years of on-the-ground experience coordinating and managing farmers’ markets in Massachusetts. Ashley joined the MIFMA team in June 2021, excited to support Michigan’s market managers to create thriving marketplaces for local food and farm products.
Ashley says, “Farmers’ Markets are an essential part of the food chain increasing access to fresh, local food for all community members and serve as important places of connection within a community.”
In her free time, she enjoys DIY projects and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Contact Ashley for technical assistance, membership questions, and to learn more about Produce Prescription Programs!
Hailey Lamb
Director of Communications | Email
Hailey graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography from Kendall College of Art and Design. She joined the MIFMA team in December 2019, inspired by MIFMA’s mission to advance farmers markets to create a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products.
Hailey says, “All people deserve access to fresh, local food. I believe in the potential of the local food movement in Michigan and beyond.” In her free time, she enjoys collecting coffee mugs and spending time with her pets. Contact Hailey with questions about MIFMA communications, including our website, newsletter, and printed materials.
Lori McPhee
Director of Technical Assistance
Lori joined the MIFMA team as the Director of Technical Assistance in January 2024. She previously worked as a program coordinator at Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeast MI and as a food access fellow at the Eastern Market in Detroit. These positions provided her with experience operating and administering USDA Child Nutrition Programs including the CACFP and SFSP.
Lori graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies. She says, "I love working within the food system because the food we produce, eat, and discard impacts everything I am passionate about– people, health, and our natural world."
Bella Pagogna
Produce Prescription Manager | Email
Bella Pagogna is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College, majoring in Social Relations & Policy with minors in Health Promotion and Global Public Health & Epidemiology. She's eager to provide technical assistance and support implementation, evaluation and advocacy for PPR programs across Michigan and around the country.
As an avid farmers market attendee, Bella says, “I am excited to work with MIFMA in expanding the fresh food movement as supporting local businesses, exploring new foods, and increasing food access via farmers markets are fundamental in cultivating an inclusive community.”
Kelly Taylor
Association Manager | Email
Kelly joined the MIFMA team in June 2023 and says “I am passionate about creating and supporting ways for everyone to have equitable access to affordable, nutritious, culturally appropriate foods. Farmers markets are an effective way to connect people within the local food system, strengthen community, and increase positive health outcomes.”
Kelly graduated from Michigan State University with her Bachelors of Science in Horticulture and a minor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. She is excited to be able to support the MIFMA team in the various projects they work on which, in turn, support farmers markets and market managers across the state. Kelly enjoys cooking for other people and playing collaborative problem solving games with her friends.
Student Employees
Keke Griffin
Operations Student Assistant | Email
Keke is a student at Michigan State University’s Lyman Briggs College and plans to major in Human Biology. She joined MIFMA in November 2019, and previously worked for the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm.
Keke says, "Increasing access to fresh, locally grown, and affordable produce in urban and low income areas has always been something I really want to see and be a part of." She enjoys spending time with her friends and family and learning new things. Contact her if you have any questions about Michigan's food assistance programs.
Clara Milarch
Student Assistant | Email
Clara joined the MIFMA team in September 2023 and is studying Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education at Michigan State University. She is a fourth-generation family farmer and previously served as the Michigan FFA State President, where she created and delivered leadership development workshop content at agricultural education programs in Michigan and New York.
Clara says, “MIFMA combines two of the causes I am most passionate about: diversity, equity, and inclusion and agricultural advocacy.” In addition to her studies, she enjoys baking, local theatre, working with her goat herd, and spending time with her family and friends.
Cassie Stone
Student Assistant | Email
Cassie is a student at Michigan State University where she studies Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education. She says, “Working with MIFMA presents an exceptional opportunity to align my values and skills with an organization committed to promoting equity and local connections.”
Before transferring to MSU, Cassie obtained an Associate’s Degree from Lansing Community College focused on American Sign Language and General Education. When she’s not serving her community as a member of the Durand Rotary Club, you can find her mountain biking or cross stitching on her front porch.