Katherine is a Maritimer who is excited about agroecological farming because it is essential, creative, collective, and political. She previously farmed at the Tsawwassen First Nation Farm School, and in Alaska. She is a proud National Farmers Union member and the current Chair of its Farmland Committee. Her MA research through the University of Manitoba analyzed the extent and implications of the financialization of farmland in Alberta. She believes in the farm school model because she believes in a future of far more farmers, and in experiential, community learning. She's often pondering how we can organize to transform our land and food systems as rapidly as possible, and how to make farming less hard. She loves to swim, hike, canoe, read, and write.

katherine.aske@ubc.ca

Kat joined the Farm in 2024 and is excited to take on the role of the Hoop House Assistant. She graduated from the University of Guelph with a BA in Sociology, where she also developed a passion for food security and sustainable food production. Being a recent graduate during the pandemic, Kat was able to explore this passion by volunteering on various organic farms in Ontario and eventually landing a position at a vertical farming facility. Her love for the outdoors motivated her to move out to BC where she can enjoy hiking, climbing, and paddle boarding. On weekends, Kat also enjoys sewing, reading and going out to see live music. She is thrilled to be joining the team at the UBC farm!

Kat.Bianco@ubc.ca

Anna joined the UBC Farm team in 2023 after studying climate change and food systems in the LFS Global Resource Systems program. At the Farm, she coordinates site services including space bookings and Farm tours. She previously held positions at the UBC Climate Hub and the UBC Centre for Climate Justice, and continues to volunteer with community climate and food justice initiatives. She's passionate about sustainable food systems and grassroots efforts to create them. Outside of the Farm, she can be found tending to her City of Vancouver catch basin, which she cares for deeply.

anna.brookes@ubc.ca

This is Jenn's third season at the farm and she is excited to get her hand's dirty in her new role here at the UBC Farm. Jenn is nearing the end of her Agricultural and Environmental degree where she has learned the value of long-term sustainability and food security. Outside of the farm, you can find Jenn participating in all things outdoors, cooking food with friends, or playing with the neighbourhood dogs and cats.

jennifern.bywater@ubc.ca

Rachel is new to the UBC Farm this year and is very excited to take on the Allium and Cucurbit Coordinator role. She is a recent graduate from UBC Okanagan, with a BSc in Earth and Environmental Science. With small-town southern Ontario roots, Rachel found the joy of playing in the dirt at a very young age. From working at a local conservation area to tending to her family's vegetable garden, these experiences sparked a passion for organic agriculture which she has more recently brought out West. Rachel has spent the past couple of growing seasons organic farming on Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island. When she is not in the field, Rachel enjoys playing tennis, hiking, camping, and making sourdough bread amongst other fermentation projects. She is always keen to share and swap recipes to discover and help others find new ways to enjoy delicious farm-fresh veggies. Rachel is thrilled to be a part of the UBC Farm and community!

rachel.chanyaneff@ubc.ca

Divya Chayanam joined the CSFS in 2024 as the LiteFarm product lead. She leads the effort to make LiteFarm a preferred tool for sustainable farm management for farmers around the world. She is an advocate of technology being an instrument for positive change, especially in food production and farming. Previously, Divya occupied key roles in technology and business strategy in e-commerce, logistics and consulting. Divya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA specializing in Finance and Marketing.

divya.chayanam@ubc.ca

Carolina is a UBC Alumni, Canadian-Ecuadorian polyglot, interested in environmental politics and ecosystem services management, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity, land-based education and youth. She joined the CSFS in 2024, managing Professor Hannah Wittman’s Lab. A Latin American woman, having worked in Ecuador, Vancouver, and Uganda, she specializes in team management, individual empowerment and facilitating cross-cultural communication. She applies these skills in Professor Hannah’s three international projects, including the LiteFarm App. She is an avid reader and writer keen on life-long learning and skills improvement. She dreams of a world where humanity and the planet live in harmony and balance, and where all peoples enjoy the same opportunities and share knowledge in peace.

carolina.diaz@ubc.ca

Elena has been a dedicated member of the UBC community since 2014 and joined the CSFS in 2019. Bringing extensive finance and administration experience within the education sector, she manages the day-to-day financial operations for the CSFS and UBC Farm. Elena oversees budgeting, grant reporting, and fiscal compliance, acting as a strategic resource for researchers and staff to ensure the Centre’s academic and operational activities are fiscally sound and efficient.

elena.donskikh@ubc.ca

Andrew joined the CSFS in 2022 to coordinate perennial crops and our seed saving initiatives. Andrew grew up on the East coast of the US, where he learned to love blueberries, pawpaws and mushrooms. He had the opportunity to work and learn on a wide variety of farms and is coming most recently from working at a University of Hawaii research farm, where he focused on sustainable agriculture and perennial crops.

andrew.ehlert@ubc.ca

Silvana became fascinated by the complexity and importance of soil health while studying Environmental Sciences in Mexico, her native land. She saw the potential in agriculture to promote environmental and social health and became interested in the organic and biodynamic movement.

Curious about biodiversity, but also about diversity in ideas and cultures, she started her international farming journey. She has worked and volunteered in a diverse array of agricultural settings from medicinal gardens in New Zealand to a coffee field in Peru. She is looking forward to engage with food sovereignty, seed stewardship, plant breeding and crop adaptation.

Today she is the Brassica Field Lead at the UBC Farm. She shared her enthusiasm about the low-till management that the Farm is exploring this year and she is exited to incorporate the students to this process. She feels fulfilled about being part of the Practicum educational farming program and thankful for being part of LFS's wonderful community.

silvana.escalantehidalgo@ubc.ca

Seth has been Practicum Coordinator since 2014, and has coordinated public workshops at the Farm since 2015. He has been involved in environmental education and agriculture for two decades, and holds a master's degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana. In his role coordinating adult educational programming at the Farm, Seth strives to create a space whereby students of all ages will be inspired to connect deeper to the land and towards supporting the development of sustainable food systems.

seth.friedman@ubc.ca

Doris Hernandez brings over a decade of leadership experience across food systems, operations, and people management. Prior to joining UBC, she was a founding partner of a vegetable processing company from 2008 to 2021, where she led operations as Production Manager and later served as HR and Finance Manager—reflecting her entrepreneurial spirit and deep commitment to food system innovation. Doris is a proud UBC alumna, having earned a Master of Food and Resource Economics, and also holds a Bachelor of Engineering from IPN in Mexico and a Master’s degree in Economic and Financial Engineering from Universidad La Salle Pachuca. Passionate about sustainable, nutritious, accessible, and affordable food systems, Doris has found purpose in supporting the most important asset of the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems—its people—by fostering high‑performing, ethical, and collaborative work environments where individuals and teams can thrive.

doris.hernandez@ubc.ca

Christian’s farming roots run deep, he was born and raised on a small organic farm in Chilliwack, where they focus on berries, flowers and bees. He is excited to bring his over 20 years of experience to his new position as the Market Sales Coordinator in the 2026 season. When he isn’t farming, you can find Christian blacksmithing, making candles or learning new methods for curing meat. Christian joined the UBC farm team in 2024 as a Work Learn for the CANOVI project. Here he got to breed and grow carrots, work closely with the other members of the farm and observe the various markets and events that the farm put on. In May of 2025 Christian finished his Bachelors of Environmental Science, with a focus on sustainability as the future of sustainable agriculture is very important to him.

christian.huang@ubc.ca

Jasmine started working at the Farm in the summer of 2024 as a Children's Program Assistant while completing her Master's degree at UBC in the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, researching land-based learning. After an incredibly fun first summer, Jasmine returned the following year as the Children & Youth Program Coordinator! Jasmine grew up on Saturna Island, where she spent most of her time herding sheep, in the garden, or in and around the ocean. After finishing high school in Victoria, Jasmine completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto with a double major in Environmental Studies and Peace, Conflict and Justice. Outside of work, you can find Jasmine with her binoculars, looking for various birds around Vancouver. Now that Jasmine's at the UBC Farm, she's super excited to share her love for nature with the next generations any way that she can!

jasmine.lambert@ubc.ca

With a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Publicity, and a background in advertising and event sales management in the hospitality industry, Melissa draws on a range of organizational and communication skills in her work at UBC Farm. After taking part in the UBC Farm Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture in 2024, she continued supporting the farm throughout the market season. It was during this time that she rediscovered the joy and excitement she once felt as a child, spending time on her grandparents’ farm. Those special memories came flooding back, and she realized she could bring that same energy and passion into her professional life. She joined the UBC Farm team in March 2025 as Market Sales Coordinator, and following a successful season, she was promoted to Lead Sales Coordinator in December 2025. In her current role, she is excited to contribute to the success of UBC Farm’s market programs and help connect the community with local, organic, and sustainably grown food. Outside of the farm, she enjoys gaming, knitting, and diving into books on symbolism.

melissa.mercangul@ubc.ca

Cassie studied horticulture at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and has been farming, beekeeping and gardening in urban and rural spaces for over a decade. Most recently, she's been a cooperative member/farmer at Glorious Organics and Fraser Common Farm and formerly worked for The Sharing Farm and a non-profit beekeeping and pollinator gardening social enterprise. Cassie brings curiosity and reverence for the natural world, a deep appreciation for the connective power of food, and is delighted to explore farming and growing with new farmers through the practicum program. Outside of farming, you can find Cassie swimming in the North Shore rivers, riding bikes, and trying to improve her chess game.

cassie.plotnikoff@ubc.ca

Yoshi grew up in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, with deep roots in his maternal family lineage that trace back over 10,000 years to the village of Miyaguchi. He studied French Literature at Shinshu University in Nagano, where he developed a passion for bushcraft, stream fishing, snowboarding, and mountaineering. After working eight years in a major corporation office, a chance encounter with master apple orchardist Mr. Fujiwara led him to spend six years learning fruit cultivation and rural life. In 2006, Yoshi moved to Vancouver, pursuing photography and teaching traditional darkroom techniques, while working various jobs. His interest in trees, however, led him to arboriculture, earning certification through Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2016. He later completed an undergraduate degree with honours in Urban Forestry and a Master of Science in Socio-Ecological Systems at UBC. Today, Yoshi is the Landscape and Maintenance Coordinator at UBC Farm, where his diverse experiences converge. His deep appreciation for nature and its interconnectedness inspires his commitment to fostering reciprocal connections with all encompassing relations.

yoshinori.tanaka@ubc.ca

Chris Thoreau has been engaged in research and educational projects at UBC Farm since 2008. In his current role he is developing an online farming program to complement the in-person Practicum at the Farm. Over the past 20 years, Chris has been a small-scale organic farmer, microgreens grower, seed grower, and researcher. Chris is a registered BC Agrologist with a degree in Agroecology and a Masters in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems - both from UBC.

chris.thoreau@ubc.ca

Kyne has been a part of the farm sales team since the summer of 2019. His contact with the UBC Farm began after volunteering with the UBC Christmas Tree Farm while he was still in his undergrad within the faculty of Forestry. He is responsible for coordinating the CSA program, which includes registering members, coordinating weekly box contents, handling member inquiries, distributing boxes, and preparing weekly newsletters. When he isn't doing CSA-related tasks, he can be found helping market operations, coordinating and liaising food donations, rotating culls, and pressure washing crates. If you're curious about what sparks joy for him, he'd talk about the way people's faces light up when they see the marvelous veggies that are a combined result of the passion, love, and effort put in by the most amazing people on earth.

kyne.tsai@ubc.ca

Dakota’s farming journey began in the Interior of British Columbia in 2012, starting as a WWOOFer and quickly transitioning into an internship that same season. That first experience sparked a deep curiosity to learn from as many seasoned farmers as possible. Eager to broaden her perspective, she spent the growing season in Canada working in vegetable and fruit production and eventually followed the sun each winter, farming in warmer climates around the world.

Over the years, Dakota has worked on and managed farms in Central America, Australia, Ireland, and multiple provinces in Canada, gaining experience with diverse production systems and climates. In 2021, she joined the UBC Farm team, eager to expand her focus into research and more structured agricultural education.

dakota.varen@ubc.ca