(May 2022) Farm Commons is pleased to announce the addition of three new staff and one promotion to support the non-profit’s commitment to empowering agricultural communities to resolve their own legal vulnerabilities within an ecosystem of support.
In December, Farm Commons promoted Eva Moss to Education Program Director and welcomed Bonita Croyle as the Communications Manager. In the spring, Farm Commons welcomed Chloe F. Johnson as Staff Attorney and Kate Cowie-Haskell as Farmer Education Associate.
“Adding these incredible people to our team will allow us to quickly respond to our community’s needs for legal education that is accurate and actionable. We are in an amazing position to help farmers and agriculture advocates build their power and live into the wisdom they already have through business law,” shared Farm Commons Executive Director Rachel Armstrong.
Previously managing the team’s educational outreach, Moss will head the educational curriculum and strategy for Farm Commons. An experienced trainer and facilitator, Moss will apply those skills to continue building a supportive environment for farmers and ranchers throughout the nation.
“While education is our means, action is our goal. Farmers and ranchers nationwide have the creative power within themselves to take action in farm law by leading, supporting, and creating authentic legal agreements that can help avoid the worst and stand prepared for when it happens. This is about empowerment towards legal resilience,” said Moss. “I am excited to lead our educational curriculum further in this direction as Education Program Director.”
Bonita Croyle joined the team with a background in legal marketing, certifications in Human Rights, Language Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and agriculture. Croyle received her A.A. from Hesston College and was recognized as Lark of the Year. She also received her B.A., magna cum laude, from Millersville University and was recently recognized as Young Alumna of the Year from Lancaster Mennonite High School for her efforts in anti-racism within Mennonite and anabaptist communities.
Chloe F. Johnson joined Farm Commons with a robust farming and agricultural law background. She also has experience litigating as a public defender in Athens, GA, and developing equity programs for lawyers and court systems in Raleigh, North Carolina. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree from New College of Florida and went on to study law at the University of Georgia School of Law in Athens, GA. As an agricultural attorney in Hillsborough, NC, Johnson has advised farmers on small business formation, zoning, and real estate issues. Johnson most recently worked at the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) as the Local Foods Systems Manager. At CFSA, she led market access efforts and provided technical assistance to growers on GAP certification and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
Kate Cowie-Haskell has a background in agriculture and public media technology. Their interest in social systems led them to a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Rochester, followed by a year as a Fulbright Fellow in Bulgaria. Public radio spoke to them as a powerful medium for storytelling and community conversations, so they started their career supporting the daily production of a talk show at WXXI in Rochester, NY. After returning to their home state of Massachusetts, Kate began working closely with producers hoping to launch new podcasts and broadcast shows at PRX.
Each new team member joined Farm Commons with a background in agriculture and unique skillsets that will strengthen the non-profit’s programming and resources.
About Farm Commons
Farm Commons is a national nonprofit organization specializing in legal education for farmers. Our mission is to empower farmers to resolve their own business law issues within an ecosystem of support. Through education, leadership development, and community-based problem solving around business law, agricultural communities become stronger and more resilient. The result is a legacy of sustainable farms and a community-based food system for everyone. At Farm Commons, paperwork is powerful. For more information, please visit www.farmcommons.org.