Staff

	Liz Falk, Director and co-Founder Liz has worked to improve food security and strengthen the local food movement in Washington, DC since 2003. She has designed and facilitated classes for adults and at-risk youth using gardens and fresh foods as a source for learning and living healthy. Liz has a strong background in environmental studies and education and a master's degree in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development. She has worked on organic farms in Virginia, Australia and Costa Rica and received a certification in permaculture design in 2006. When she's not at Common Good, Liz manages the Food Stamp and WIC programs for FRESHFARM Markets, runs with her dog in Rock Creek Park and teaches yoga. Email Liz.
	Spencer Ellsworth, Farm and Market Coordinator A DC-area native, Spencer relishes the opportunity to work in his home community to mold minds and fill bellies. Since graduating from University of Virginia he has been working for sustainability and conservation: he advocated for a clean energy economy with League of Conservation Voters and the 1Sky campaign and learned the ways of dirt and sun from time on organic farms in Virginia and Maine. He loves living things and things that love living!
	Paul Ryan, Farm and Market Coordinator Paul Seamus Ryan is a food enthusiast who, in addition to serving as a board member and committed volunteer for Common Good, also teaches cooking classes at ArtSpace DC, volunteers for the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, shops regularly at local farmers markets, spends a lot of time cooking for friends and family and also spends time behind a camera photographing food and anything else that catches his attention. He makes his living as an attorney for the nonprofit Campaign Legal Center, a DC-based voting rights and election reform organization.
	Carl Rollins, Farm Coordinator Carl is a longtime DC resident. Before beginning a spiritual journey that led him to have a passion for food security and the environment he practiced law and did some energy consulting. Carl is a master gardener trainee and one of the co-presidents of the DC Environmental Education Consortium.
	Dena Blickstein, Farm Coordinator Ever since living on an organic farm in New Zealand, Dena has been interested in farming and the local food movement. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, she joined Americorps to work on land and water based conservation projects on Cape Cod. She has lived in DC for the past six years, working at an environmental consulting firm. A resident of Bloomingdale, she is excited to apply her love of fresh, local food and the environment to help bolster and empower the neighborhood.
	Murray Schmechel, Farm Coordinator Born and raised on a ranch in northwest Nebraska, Murray has been a rehab counselor, shelter workshop manager, business manager and clergy for the United Methodist Church. He has two grown children in and currently lives with his son in LeDroit Park. Gardening was living for Murray. He grew up preserving peas, beans, carrots, pickles, cherries, tomatoes, beets, and jellies. While working for the Texas Department of Mental Health and Retardation in the 60's, Murray was to set up and operate a horticulture therapy project. He took a short course in horticulture and greenhouse operation and established a very successful program that served juvenile delinquents with borderline IQs. Murray's thoughts on tomatoes: "Love 'em". Favorite variety is carmello. Favorite sauce is simple: garlic, basil, olive oil, lots of tomatoes.
	Zachari j. Curtis, Farm Coordinator Zachari is a DC native, gardener and aspiring community supported farmer.
	Abbey Piner, Education Coordinator Abbey has worked for several years with homeless and low-income children and families as a teacher, an advocate, and a community liaison. Her current work focuses on helping build and sustain meaningful communities among people with disabilities. For Abbey, education programs focused on local communities and sustainability are at the heart of creating socially just opportunities. Abbey loves gardening and the outdoors and considers both meaningful tools for fostering empowerment and change.
	Chris Soriano, Education Coordinator Raised on tomatoes, basil, swiss chard, and a never ending supply of zucchini from his father’s garden, Chris developed an appreciation for fresh, locally grown vegetables at a young age. This appreciation for local produce grew while Chris served as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador, where he helped train farmers to cultivate and sell high value vegetable crops. Chris believes in supporting local agriculture and sharing the joy of growing and eating one's own vegetables with today's youth.
	Niko Welch, Education Coordinator Niko was born in Ecuador, raised in New Mexico and has since lived in CO, CA, GA, Thailand, Zambia, and DC. Niko has worked with children in rural Africa on a community gardening program, three years experience farming and gardening in Africa and the US, and over ten years experience in professional kitchens. He is passionate about food and issues surrounding food security and brings this interest to the kids in the Youth Garden Program with Common Good.
	Melissa Hamid, Graphic Designer Melissa Miller Hamid is a national award winning art director, who transforms lifestyle information into beautiful drool-worthy magazine layouts. Currently at a DC custom publishing company, The Magazine Group, she focuses efforts on Web MD Magazine, the leading health publication in the US. Melissa delights in combining her creative talents with her passion for wellness and nutrition. At home in Silver Spring, she lives in a Technicolor house, has started her first serious vegetable garden, and has aspirations of writing a gluten-free cookbook. Melissa is thrilled to contribute to Common Good City Farm with both graphic design and playtime in the dirt.
	Stephanie Willis, Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie’s love of cooking and insistence on quality ingredients led her to seek out the freshest and tastiest produce, meats and dairy. After moving to DC in 2006, she began shopping at the local farmers markets and speaking with farmers. She quickly became passionate about the local food movement and sustainable agriculture. Stephanie writes weekly for numerous food blogs, sharing with readers recipes for in-season produce. Stephanie is also an avid amateur photographer, capturing some of her favorite culinary creations and landscapes in the area. Although she flirted with becoming a professional chef, her interest in political science led to a rewarding career as a public administrator for the federal government.