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Our StoryThe Beaches Local Food Network began as a small farmer's market in a parking lot in Jacksonville Beach. With hopes of finding and promoting more local farmers and bringing healthy foods to our community, we chugged along. We discovered that local farms are not that easy to come by in northeast Florida, as we have lost 52% of farmland in Duval County alone in the past four years, mostly to development. With that in mind, we knew we needed to help create a love for growing food and hopefully grow new farmers for the future. Knowing we needed hands-on gardening and educational opportunities, the community garden seed was planted. In February of 2008, we started the process of gaining non-profit status and presenting our ideas to the City of Neptune Beach. By summer, we had tilled the soil in Jarboe Park and had a decently-sized farmer's market with three local farms and many other green products.
We continue to grow the Beaches Green Market and Beaches Organic Community Garden, offering educational workshops and programs through both of these venues. We are also establishing a children's gardening program and further outreach to local schools and organizations.
While this work has been larger than we ever imagined, the receptiveness and excitement of our beaches community has exceeded our wildest dreams. We would like to express our gratitude to our extended volunteer network, who has helped us in creating the garden, raise funds, and manage the green market. Also many thanks to our sponsors and donors. Thank you!
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|  Gretchen Ferrell
Founder/Co-DirectorGretchen was born and raised in Atlantic Beach, Florida. After earning a BBA in International Business/Latin American studies from UNF, she moved to northern California for several years, where her love for horticulture and farmer's markets began. She spent time traveling in Latin America, volunteering on farms and learning to grow food, and eventually moved to Costa Rica for several years in order to work on a permaculture farm. Gretchen helped to create a non-profit in 2003, the Sustainable Solutions Caravan, which traveled throughout Central America, teaching and sharing through educational forums about alternative fuels and sustainable living techniques. Afterwards, she began guiding high school students from North America through the jungles of Costa Rica, with a focus on sustainable agriculture. Gretchen moved back to Jax Beach in 2005, where she has since been coordinating educational travel in Costa Rica, growing an expansive organic vegetable garden with her partner Jonathan, and spending time with her nieces and nephews. While Gretchen continues to learn of the issues we face as a people, her focus is to bring positive solutions to our community.  Laurie Clarke
Community Garden Coordinator/
Green Market Council MemberLaurie has been a resident of Neptune Beach since 2002. She is married to Ernie Clarke, a key cooridinator of BLFN, and is a stay-at-home mom to Ernesto (3), and Cecilia (1). She was born and raised in Baltimore where her parents still reside. Laurie earned a BS degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of Maryland, and an MS degree in biology from California State University. She has worked in various parts of the country in wildlife conservation and management issues for federal and state agencies as well as non-profit groups. Currently, Laurie is an adjunct instructor of biology at FCCJ. Through her work, she tries to emphasize an awareness of natural resource conservation and human interactions with the environment. At home, her focus is a productive organic garden and delicious healthy meals for her family. Laurie is extremely excited to be a part of BLFN and hopes to help expand the mission of healthy communities in northeast Florida.  Green Market CouncilBottom, left to right: Kari Hagedorn, Laurie Clarke, Roy Berry, Terry Welch
Top: Jennifer Keskinen, Teri Methvin, Jonathan Felts, Gretchen Ferrell, Aimee Tous-Parker
| |  Jonathan Felts
Horticulturalist/ Co-DirectorJonathan has been practicing organic gardening methods for the past 12 years, from North Carolina, to Hawaii, to Costa Rica and Florida. 15 years of experience in the horticultural field has given him the opportunity to learn a lot about plant growth and propagation. Jonathan has instructed courses on Greenhouse Production at the community college level, and has co-instructed courses on permaculture and sustainable living. As co-coordinator of the green market and community garden, he wishes to grow new farmers with advice and encouragement. A native of North Carolina, Jonathan has been a beaches resident since 2005. 
Teri Methvin
Donations Committee Head/
Green Market Council Member
A resident of Florida for 20 years, and a beaches resident for the past three. Never living further west than Hodges Boulevard, a move to the beach was a natural progression. After 20 years in the corporate world of mortgage banking, I obtained a culinary degree. When not baking organic, gluten-free, and vegan goodies for a local natural foods market, I spend my time gardening and volunteering with the Beaches Local Food Network and Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol.
Donations Committee/ Green Market Council/ Children's Gardening Coordinator
Aimee is a native of Puerto Rico and has lived in Florida since 1985. She has worked in the public and non-profit sector in the areas of economic development and public education. She holds a BA in Political Science from UCF and an MA in International Relations from FSU. Her areas of interest include developing economies and theories of political and social inequality in the post-cold war era. A gardening enthusiast, Aimee spends her free time gardening at home and at the community garden. She is excited to be a part of the BLFN and helping connect children with each other and our earth. Aimee and her husband, Jason, are parents to Gabriela (4 yrs) and Lucas (2 yrs) and reside in Neptune Beach.
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