Tasha Ardalan is a rural San Diegan who grew up immersed in agriculture and the equestrian industry. She has over a decade of experience as a farmers’ market vendor, manager, and operator. Tasha loves farmers’ markets and supporting local food systems. She is dedicated to building resilient agricultural structures, increasing access to locally grown produce, and improving food justice and equity through education and incentive programs such as Market Match. Tasha is an expert at leading projects, developing actionable solutions, and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders (farmers, nonprofits, and government agencies). Tasha Ardalan’s love for her college graduation gift, a corgi puppy with terrible allergies, led her to develop holistic pet products. She quickly went from selling her products at farmers’ markets to becoming a market leader known for her compassion and care in helping vendors succeed. In 2012, Tasha began a career managing and operating farmers’ markets as well as coordinating fundraising events across Southern California. Additionally, Tasha served on the 2023 California Small Farms Conference Steering, Workshop, and Awards Committees and was elected to the Farmers Market Coalition Board of Directors this year.

Elizabeth Bowman is co-manager of the Hollywood Farmers’ Market – a 25-year old certified farmers’ market with nearly 200 vendors. In 2012, Elizabeth worked with Altadena Farmers’ Market founder to develop the [Sub]Urban Farming Project. In this capacity, she helped local, backyard farmers and gardeners start their farmers’ market businesses. This work culminated in the development of a regulatory guide for first time urban farmers selling at Certified Farmers Markets inLos Angeles. Elizabeth now owns and operates the Altadena Farmers’ Market. Elizabeth has an MA in Urban Sustainability from Antioch University, Los Angeles.

Portia Bramble has been the Executive Director for the North Coast Growers’ Association since 2008. Portia is a founding member of the Alliance,  helped establish the CA Market Match Consortium, and is an appointed member of CDFA’s Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee. Portia earned a Masters Degree in Social Sciences from Humboldt State University in 2009 with a project exploring the implications of California’s Direct Marketing agricultural regulations on farmers’ market management and operations. Portia grew up in Berkeley, CA, and received her Bachelors Degree in Political Studies and Environmental Policy from Pitzer College in 2006.

Emma has worked with Alchemist CDC in Sacramento since 2017, where she has grown and developed the CalFresh at Farmers’ Markets and Market Match programs to expand food access in the Farm to Fork Capital. She oversees CDSS Fruit and Vegetable Pilot project sites, the People to Produce accessibility project, Market Match partnerships with farmers’ markets and farm stands in the region, and 8 CalFresh Access booths at Sacramento County farmers’ markets.

Catt Fields White is the Director of San Diego Markets, developing thriving farmers’ markets in urban neighborhoods, and consulting with emerging markets throughout San Diego County. She encourages entrepreneurship and value added opportunities for farmers through monthly Vendor 101 classes and writes about food, farms, restaurants and marketing. Serving on multiple Boards of Directors including the California Restaurant Association, the Little Italy Association, Just Call Us Volunteers and now the CA Small Farm Conference she is actively involved with Slow Food Urban San Diego, Les Dames Escoffier, and other professional associations and charitable foundations. Find her at www.sdweeklymarkets.com

Ben Palazzolo oversees operations for all Certified Farmers’ Markets run by Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association in Santa Clara County. He has worked with PCFMA since 2011, previously as a farmers’ market manager operating farmers’ markets throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and as a regional manager overseeing all PCFMA markets in Santa Clara County. Working with a variety of farmers, city officials, organizations, and regulating bodies, Ben strives to create and maintain spaces in a variety of communities where California farmers can sell produce they grow to the public.

Erin established and farms Irish Ridge Ranch, an integrated layer flock and rare apple orchard located south of Half Moon Bay, in 1997. Erin is also the founder of Coastside Farmers’ Markets, bringing the first Certified Farmers’ Market to Half Moon Bay in 2002,  to Pacifica in 2007, and Pescadero in 2010.  Erin is an inaugural member of the California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets, the San Mateo Food Systems Alliance, a founding director of The HEAL Project, and  served on the Technical Review Committee of the CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant program from 2008 through 2016. Erin was named Farmer of the Year in 2017, an honor entered in to the Congressional Record by Congresswoman Jackie Speier.

April is a central valley native who grew up in the small agriculture rich town of Dinuba, California.  April is the founding Director of the DownTown Visalia Certified Farmers Market, a small Farmers Market primarily consisting of historically underrepresented populations. April is a mother, an Herbalist, and a business owner in the historic DownTown District of Visalia, California.  April credits her success in part to her relationship with the Visalia Farmers Market Organization which spans more than 8 years, and includes service to the organization as the member elected Executive Secretary. April believes that Farmers Markets are integral components of a healthy community, and she is passionate about advancing the Farmers Market industry while cultivating new generations of producers.

As AIM’s Chief Operations Officer, Tanya oversees the operations and management of AIM’s 7 certified farmers’ markets. Tanya grew up in the small town of St. Helena, and got her start in agriculture at an early age picking grapes and helping her family make wine. Tanya has 13 years of market management experience, having managed all 7 of AIM’s farmers markets at different times in her career. She enjoys knowing and talking with the people who grow and raise her food, interacting with the community at farmers markets and helping farmers and vendors grow their businesses.