Evans Jumba, Chair

I am from Kenya, I came here as a migrant ten years ago. My family used to farm back in Kenya. When we came to the U.S. we wanted to continue farming and we looked for a place. That’s when we got involved with the farm in West Springfield for refugees who wanted to plant their indigenous plants. We have been farming there for quite some time and been joined by many more over the years. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and am fluent in English and Kiswahili, and I regularly interpret in hospitals for refugees in Springfield and Connecticut.

Phil Korman, Treasurer

My work has always focused on creating a world better than the one we were born into. I have been the Director at CISA for over a decade and its mission is to strengthen farms and engage the community to build the local food economy. I try to do all my work with a bit of humor, a lot of listening and never ending learning.

Dugsiya Kahlif Ahmed

I am from Somalia. I went to Kenya as a refugee. I was in Kenya for 11 years. I have been farming since I was 7 years old, for 11 years in Africa, including three years in the U.S. On March 28, 2004 I came to the U.S. I was a Board Member of the Somali Bantu Community Association and am a leader in the Somali Bantu farmer cooperative.

Shemariah Blum-Evitts

I live and grow food with my family in Deerfield, Massachusetts. I work with Land For Good, a non-profit organization that provides advising, education, research and advocacy to help more farmers access more land to start or grow their farm businesses. From 2008-2015 I worked in the greater Springfield area assisting new Americans who wanted to start farming through a program called New Lands Farm. I'm happy to be reconnected with these communities in a role as a board member.

Russell J. (Rus) Peotter

Rus is retired from a 42-year career in public media. He served as Vice President of the WGBH Educational Foundation and General Manager for WGBY, Springfield; Public Television for Western New England since 2001. Previously, he was Vice President for marketing and development at Maine Public Broadcasting (MPB). At MPB, he also served as production and promotion manager for almost fifteen years, during which he received a New England Emmy and the Elmo Award from Sesame Workshop. He was named PBS Communications Professional of the Year in 1999 and PBS Development Professional of the Year in 2003. Rus is a corporator or board member of many regional organizations including: PeoplesBank, Double Edge Theatre, The Springfield Central Cultural District, The Hilltown Land Trust, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, The Trustees, MassCreative, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Plan for Progress. He is Chesterfield town moderator and chairs the Mass Moderators Association Communication Committee. Rus resides in Chesterfield, Massachusetts with his spouse Jennifer as well as a Vizsla, several Kinder goats and horses, many chickens, and much cranky farm equipment including an 81-year-old Ford 9N tractor. His interests include agriculture, civic affairs, conservation, music, the performing and visual arts, as well as food, wine, and the outdoors.

Bollo Mohamed

My name is Bollo Mohamed. I was born in Somalia. I came to the refugee camp in Kenya and was there for 15 years. I came to America in 2004, been here 18 years, and I’m a farmer. I grow tomatoes, collard greens, okra, chilis, African corn, American corn, watermelon… We joined All Farmers as a group of Somali-Bantu farmers who was farming from back home. I joined the Board, because the people in my group voted for me, and they accepted me. I’m also on the leadership committee. I like to work with All Farmers because they are helpful, they communicate good with me at the Board meeting, and they are good people.