SOWING GROWTH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- President Elect
- Vice President
Ash Wilkie is a current student at MSU College of Law and will be graduating in May 2024. This summer she will be studying for the bar before joining the State of Michigan Court of Appeals as a Research Attorney. With a wild background with everything from being a high ropes instructor and owning a cat hotel, Ash loves exploring new adventures.
Ash has been a vendor for the Eastern Ingham Farmers Market and a prior Board member and is excited to support bringing fresh local food and community to the area.
Carol is a lifetime resident of Williamston, as her parents and their parents were from the area. Her husband, David, is also a lifetime local. Both come from the farming community and have a passion for gardening and "farm to table" programs. They own a small farm in Williamston, which David grew up on. Carol's daughters both live in the area active in both Williamston and Mason doings and raising their families.
Carol has been a care provider and teacher in a home-based preschool called Grandmother's Geese for a few years, as she raised her own children. Then, she worked in Professional Development and Training for three different educational institutes, finishing at Michigan Virtual High School. In 2014, Carol started and still operates a home-based business, Creative Learning Links, LLC. She helps others plan, design, and develop educational programs for adult learning. In her consultant/ public relations coordinator work she helps "marry" talented experts with the people who need them. With extensive work experience in web-based learning services, Carol brings her technology skills to the table. She has held many offices in professional organizations and currently serves as a board member for the Williamston Red Cedar Garden Club and District Director for Michigan Garden Clubs and remains an active member in the Capital Area Master Gardener Association.
Carol is a life-long resident of Ingham County and lives in Williamston with her husband David, and raised 3 children. Carol has been involved in many community and professional organizations. With her farm background, she has grown to love the local farmer's markets and encourages those who have aspirations of being an entrepreneur, to take the risk of creating and managing their own businesses. Carol worked independently from her home based office for almost 20 years. She has been a large part of community collaboration with various community groups.
Jane E. Reagan has been a resident of the City of Williamston since 1984. She has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Farmers Market in Williamston since its inception because of her beliefs of the importance of supporting local businesses, eating healthy food that has been grown nearby, and sustaining the environment with recycling and similar measures. These beliefs align with those of the Sowing Growth Corporation, where she also serves as Co-Editor of the Eastern Ingham Farmers Market e-newsletter. In her free time, Jane enjoys the unlimited fun presented by her large family of 8 siblings and 30+ nieces and nephews, volunteering as a lighthouse keeper, multi-day bicycling trips and traveling.
Farmers Market shoppers are my favorite customers!! They are already in the mindset of buying ‘good for you' things. They are receptive and excited about Beeswax and it makes for a great connection to the community. We LOVE being among the ‘from the earth' vendors and customers that truly appreciate, support and encourage the effort it takes to provide these goods and services; all while working towards a sustainable lifestyle!
Michelle Martin is from Mason Michigan and has two grown children. She lives in the country and has a passion for farmer's markets and gardening. She understands the entrepreneurial mindset and has been self-employed for 22 years as a bookkeeper and has extensive experience working with non-profit organizations, as well as private businesses. Many of Michelle's clients are located in and around the Williamston area.
Michelle has been treasurer for Capital City Film Fest, Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance, and Local 826 Apprenticeship Committee. With a strong network of non-profits in the Lansing area, Michelle can provide guidance and make connections with people that will support the efforts of the Eastern Ingham Farmers Market. Her collaborative efforts promote and raise awareness of the Sowing Growth's mission and improve the organization's financial health.
Ryan Edberg grew up in a small town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where his family had a small cattle
farm. He graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2002, with a degree in Political Science; and is
a 2005 graduate of MSU College of Law. Ryan is a practicing attorney with a background in Criminal Law,
Juvenile Justice, and Child Welfare. He started his career as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Sanilac
County, where he gained experience handling Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare cases. While in Sanilac
County, he also served as Director of the Juvenile Division of the Circuit Court; and as Attorney/Referee
in that same court. Ryan is currently employed as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Lansing area,
Scott Van Allsburg has been active in the City of Williamston for decades. He is a self-taught artist in photography, painting and sculpture. He has been actively involved in creating and displaying works of art since 1979. He founded the Williamston Arts League and has served on the Board of the Williamston Theater (one of less than 20 professional theaters in Michigan). Scott has been elected as a member to the Williamston City Council, served on the City's Planning Commission and most recently was appointed to the Farmers Market Advisory Committee which evolved to the Sowing Growth Board of Directors. For the past several years, Scott has assisted his wife Kate in securing for each Sunday at the Market, volunteer performers, musicians and artists to entertain visitors. He has also created art specifically for display at the Market, including the mascot for the music and performance tent, The Spotted Goat. Scott has been a supporter of the Market since its inception.
Sharon LaPointe has been a resident of Williamstown Township since 1995. After retiring from the practice of law in June 2017, she sought a way to increase community involvement and service. The nonprofit Sowing Growth and its Eastern Ingham Farmers Market program not only fit these objectives to a tee, but also resonated with Sharon's long-time love for farmers markets. Fond childhood memories include Saturday excursions to the original Lansing City Market, followed by all hands on deck for day long canning marathons. While her heart belongs to Sowing Growth and the Eastern Ingham Farmers Market, Sharon loves to visit farmers markets while traveling. Nothing beats the quality and flavor of food fresh from farm to table, or the helpfulness and hospitality of the market community.
Tammy has been a resident in the area for 45 years. She taught high school science at East Lansing High School for 25 years. Currently Tammy is helping to design and make projects for the Seedlings and Sprouts activity station. Farmers Markets are vital to communities and bring people together. Tammy enjoys volunteering at the market and sometimes being a vendor. It is a wonderful way to see old friends and to make new ones.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Co - Owner of the Good Bake Bagel Kitchen and a Vendor
Wendy is co-owner of The Good Bake Bagel Kitchen and a vendor at the Eastern Ingham Farmers Market. She is an avid gardener and cook with a creative bend as demonstrated by her unique specialty bagels and sandwich offerings at the market. Wendy is a graduate of MSU, a proud downtown Williamston resident, and an advocate for farmer's markets and shopping local.