Our Team

Learn more about the amazing people who keep Lynchburg Grows going and growing.

Staff

Shelley Blades

Executive Director

shelley@lynchburggrows.org

Shelley has been the driving force behind Lynchburg Grows for nearly a decade, transforming the organization through collaborative leadership that puts community voices at the center of every decision. Before joining us, she served as garden coordinator at the Harlem Children's Zone in New York, where she implemented seven school gardens and worked with teachers to integrate them into the curriculum. Under her guidance, the farm has flourished into a dynamic hub of programs that evolve with our community's needs, from expanding educational offerings to deepening partnerships with local healthcare providers. She loves spending time with her husband and dog, hiking, and is secretly competitive about board games.

Jennifer Porter

CSA Manager

jennifer@lynchburggrows.org

Jennifer has transformed our CSA into something truly special, implementing work trade programs, curating amazing add-on items like local tofu and bread, and creating a welcoming vibe that makes everyone feel at home when they arrive. She also manages all composting operations on the farm, including pickups from local restaurants. When she's not working, she loves collecting house plants and antique treasures and searching for rocks.

Whittney Chauta

Assistant Farm Manager

whittney@lynchburggrows.org

Whittney helps run the farm from seed starting to harvest and has become the driving force behind our thriving youth education program. She has developed a comprehensive curriculum for both field trips and Camp Grows, creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that align with educational standards while making agriculture accessible and exciting for students of all ages. Through her dedicated outreach and relationship-building, she has significantly expanded our reach within local schools, bringing the magic of farm-to-table education to hundreds of children each year. When she's not inspiring the next generation of farmers or tending crops, she has a passion for growing flowers and eating croissants.

Barb Sydnor

Administrative Assistant

barb@lynchburggrows.org

Barb has transformed our office operations with her creativity, organizational skills, and keen attention to detail. She brings a collaborative spirit that has strengthened communication across all our programs and has become the friendly voice that connects our community members with the resources they need. Beyond her administrative excellence, she also teaches youth pottery classes for Lynchburg Parks and Rec and is passionate about mushrooms because she's all about fun gals and fun guys!

Susan Robinson

FreshRx Coordinator

susan@lynchburggrows.org

Susan leads our FreshRx program, building vital partnerships with healthcare providers to connect patients with nutrition education and fresh produce. She skillfully guides participants through discovering new foods, meal planning, and developing healthy eating habits that support managing diet-related health conditions. With her master's degree in Holistic Nutrition and background as a nutritionist and autism coordinator at Advocates for Children, she brings both clinical expertise and compassionate care to help individuals transform their relationship with food. When she's not at work, she enjoys hiking with her yellow lab Jackson and making beautiful art and pottery.

Olivia Boyce

Farm Coach

olivia@lynchburggrows.org

Olivia has significantly expanded our Farm Coach Program since starting as a high school intern in 2016, developing it into a model that creates meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth for farmers with disabilities. Her work has elevated the program's profile and connected us to the broader care farming network, bringing innovative practices and new partnerships to our community. With her degree in Sustainable Community Development from UMass Amherst, she brings both academic knowledge and hands-on experience to her role supporting farmers in achieving their goals through skill-building, teamwork, and leadership development. When she's not at work, you can find her taking a nap with her cat Ponyboy, at a rave, or spending time with friends, and her favorite thing is eating cherry tomatoes right off the vine on hot summer mornings.

Ashleigh Kubik

Assistant Farm Coach

ashleigh@lynchburggrows.org

Ashleigh works with farmers with disabilities to accomplish goals while having fun, bringing a compassionate and patient approach that fosters genuine growth and confidence. She consistently develops innovative strategies and solutions that enhance productivity while ensuring each farmer can succeed in their role. As a Lynchburg native with a passion for our city and the people in it, she also loves cooking, gardening, hiking, biking, and rollerskating, and is the mother of four awesome daughters who keep her busy!

Chris Price

Farmer

Chris keeps us all laughing while tackling farm chores, especially tasks requiring extra muscle like turning compost and hauling soil. Originally from Lynchburg and previously worked at Bill's Pastry Shop, he particularly enjoys mowing the grass around the farm and eating a cheesy western all the way.

Chris Matheson

Farmer

A Lynchburg native and E.C. Glass graduate, Chris has been with us since 2005. He's a produce washing expert who also helps in the greenhouse and with CSA setup, known for his ability to remember names and welcome customers. He's a huge Justin Bieber fan and is convinced they are twins separated at birth!

Mariel Hackman

Farmer

Mariel has done everything from planting to customer service. She learned work skills at her family's "Lorraine Bakery" (named after her middle name) and has traveled to ten countries, even walking to the top of the Eiffel Tower. She enjoys going to the YMCA and going on romantic dates with her boyfriend.

Luke Horochowski

Farmer

Luke loves working outside and doing all the jobs that require heavy lifting, though he's not particularly fond of the chickens. When not at work, he enjoys sports, running, and playing guitar, bass, and drums while writing his own songs. Play the right song and you might see this ladies man busting a move around the farm.

Keith KerviN

Farmer

Keith is our resident animal lover and keeps our chickens in good health. He keeps everything organized and keeps us on schedule for when trash and recycling get picked up and when it's someone's birthday. He's a well-known member of the Jameson YMCA, currently working on his "We Fit" certification, and enjoys spending time with his girlfriend.

Murphy

Very Good Boy

Murphy is our most dedicated quality control specialist, conducting thorough inspections of all sunny spots around the farm for optimal napping conditions. His daily responsibilities include bringing good vibes to everyone he meets, supervising farm operations from his various lounging locations, and ensuring that belly rubs are distributed fairly among staff and visitors. He takes his job very seriously, which is why he can often be found diligently resting to maintain peak performance levels.

Belly

Chief Greenhouse Security Officer

Belly is our super chill and highly effective Chief Greenhouse Security Officer, specializing in nighttime rodent patrol. While we rarely witness her in action (she prefers to work the night shift), her excellent track record speaks for itself, our greenhouses remain impressively rodent-free. During daylight hours, she can be found recharging for her nocturnal duties through strategic napping sessions, proving that she truly is the best cat for the job.