Meet The ADCG Board

"Combining my love for teaching children, growing gardens, sharing community and knowing Alan Day himself, I have happily been a board member since the idea was conceived. My favorite activities I have done at the garden are working with kids from school groups and at the Friday market, offering annual pesto making workshops with my friend Lisa Moore, and generally exciting people about growing and enjoying eating vegetables. I have worked on everything from growing seedlings to weeding to counting squash. The aspect that pleases me most is seeing the multigenerational community coming together in this safe, welcoming and bountiful place." -Cyndy

"I grew up in Oxford County and after living out of state for several years, when I moved back to the area I was really looking for a sense of community and to reconnect in a meaningful way. I was connected with ADCG through Norway Savings Bank where I work and I really found that sense of belonging to a community when I joined the garden. I always look forward to volunteering at our Community Markets in the summer, where I can connect with farmers, volunteers, youth leaders, and members of the community. I always leave with my heart and stomach full." -Cheryl

"In 2007 my dad moved my sister and I into a white house on Maple St. in Norway. That house backed what is now the Alan Day Community Garden. It has been such an incredible experience to be a part of the evolution of that abandoned lot into the vibrant community project it is today. I love seeing the garden full of families, kiddos, farmers, friends, laughter, music, art, yummy meals and connectivity. Cultivating compassion and care along with great veggies, this project is full of potent remedies. I am honored to be a board member and serve as the development chair. Plus, I know my dad is grinning ear-to-ear, he would love it!" -Emma

"Erika has spent most of her life in Western Maine and will be putting down roots in Otisfield with her husband, Ian. Erika joined the board in 2017 with no gardening experience and limited knowledge of ADCG. In fact, Erika never thought she would be a gardener. After joining the board, Erika realized that not only can she garden, but that she felt a sense of belonging with ADCG that she had not felt before. This feeling of belonging has helped Erika dedicate herself to the mission of Alan Day Community Garden and in 2020, Erika stepped into the role as Chair of the Board. Erika works at The Progress Center and supervises the Children’s Case Management Team. In her spare time, Erika is working on building a home in Otisfield and obsesses over her cat, Finan." -Erika

"I am from Maine but spent most of my life living out of state and moved back about 8 years ago. I live in Casco with my husband, Bobby. In my free time, I enjoy gardening and kayak camping. My background is in public health, nutrition/wellness, and ecoGastronomy and when I learned about the garden, I was really drawn to its mission and the thoughtfulness and care that the organization put into making it a welcoming space for everyone in the community. At the time, I was working for a local Head Start program, and my initial connection with the garden was born out of a desire to share this wonderful resource with the children and families in our program. That has continued as I have worked to support outreach to SNAP recipients in my previous role as a Community Nutrition Educator and my current role as Director at Healthy Oxford Hills. I joined the board in 2020 and serve as Board Secretary. I also participate on the Education and Outreach team and the Executive team. I feel truly blessed to be part of such an amazing organization and to have the pleasure of working alongside such a dedicated team of board members and staff." -Hollie

"Three and a half years ago, I moved to Norway, Maine with my husband, Jeff. We were looking for a less stressful life in a rural community surrounded by a beautiful natural setting. A few weeks after moving in, we walked down Whitman Street to explore our neighborhood. Seeing the sign outside the garden, we walked down the path leading to the old rustic barn, not knowing what we would find. What we found was a gem nestled in our community. Since then, the Alan Day Community Garden has become a big part of our lives. I serve as a Board Member, on the Development and on the Education and Outreach teams. I teach some of my Snap-Ed cooking classes there, under the pavilion. We have had a garden share, a garden plot, helped build the pizza oven, and cooked pizzas at the Community Market. Being a part of ADCG has rooted us in this wonderful community." -Holly

“As a renter, I started to grow food at the community garden because I lacked the space at home. I’m relatively new to gardening so it was very helpful to be around other people who had more experience than me and who were happy to answer my questions and give advice. Over the years I’ve seen the community garden grow to emphasize the “Community” part of its name by creating a welcoming and inclusive space, and working hard to provide value for local people that extends far beyond local, healthy food. The ADCG is an important part of what makes this community special, and makes me happy to be raising a family here.”
-Brendan

"I first learned about the Alan Day Community Garden from my niece. It was the spring of 2018, and she was gathering ideas on how to raise money for the Garden. I had just retired from running a nonprofit school and she was wondering how our school raised money. Eventually, the conversation turned to the Light the Garden gathering and auction and I offered to donate a couple items to auction off. My husband and I attended the event that June and, even in the pouring rain, the auction was great fun. From the enthusiasm of the attendees, the great food and entertainment, and the collegial bidding on auction items, the sense we got was of a strong community in action. Over the next few years, as I learned more about the Garden and its contributions to the community and especially the opportunity for emerging adults in the Youth Leadership Program, I felt this was an organization well worth my on-going support, which I have mostly done behind the scenes. I was honored to be asked to join the board this past summer. I hope my experiences in running a non-profit will be helpful to the organization. I also hope to be a more visibly active member of the community in the coming years!"
- Meg

"I moved to Norway 12 years ago from Tulsa, Oklahoma with a collection of books on sustainable agriculture and an idea of slowing down and growing things. I’ve spent most of my time nurturing the growth of my children, while feeding a variety of garden creatures I didn’t previously know existed (I’m looking at you tomato hornworm!). During that time I’ve seen the expansion of the Alan Day Community Garden and have felt lucky to live in a community that values locally grown food. Over the years, I have benefited from the wonderful produce in our CSA Garden Share, the sense of connection at the Friday night Community Market, and the learning opportunities for my children around nutrition and cooking. I am honored to serve on the ADCG Board."
- Matt