Laura Biasillo

Laura is the Agricultural Economic Development Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County, in Binghamton, NY. In this position over the past 13 years, she has worked to help multiple markets start and continue their sustainability in ever-changing times.

She was part of a planning team that hired a consultant for a year-round regional farmers market which is now in its third year of existence. She has been a part of many of the Federation's projects, including the FMM Pro: Professional Farmers Market Manager Certificate program, the Consumer Survey Toolkit project, Marketing for Profit - Tools for Success, and more.

She and her husband have 3 children and raise chickens for eggs and a small garden.

Beth Irons

Vice President

Beth was raised in Upstate NY, graduated from SUNY Oswego with a BS in Zoology (1982), was hired as Market Manager for Oneida County Public Market (March 2012), and is a certified market manager through FMM Pro (2019). Beth also serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the New York Farmers Market Federation of NY, CNY representative.

The Market operates in the REA (Regional Express Agency) wing of Union Station, in downtown Utica’s historic Bagg’s Square neighborhood. In July 2019, the Public Market became part of the Agricultural Economic Development Department of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County, with a focus on creating a clean, safe, family-friendly environment for regional and local vendors to set up shop and for consumers to come, shop and support local farmers, producers, and artisans.

Steve Hadcock

Treasurer

Steve has long had an interest and passion for farming, particularly dairy farming. He attended SUNY Cobleskill and Cornell University, earning a degree in Animal Science. Upon graduation from Cornell, he traveled to Columbia County to be an Extension Educator.

Over the years, Steve has adjusted his Extension program to meet the interests and educational needs of the residents. Currently, he is a Team Leader, working in six counties in Eastern New York. He provides beginning farmer education and works on market development for farmers. Steve currently serves as the Treasurer of the Farmers Market Federation of New York.

Steve Ridler

President

Steve is the Manager of the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market. He runs the day-to-day operations of the successful regional farmers market that has been located in downtown Troy for over 20 years.

Prior to becoming Market Manager, Steve served the Market on several committees involved with vendor relations and the future location of the Market.

Steve is a land use and community planner who has spent many years working on community revitalization projects around London and across New York State.

Melinda Meddaugh

Melinda has been the Ag & Food Systems Issue Leader at Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County since 2014. Melinda’s primary focus is on farmland preservation, agricultural economic development, and the overall management of the Sullivan Fresh program.

The Sullivan Fresh program helps to connect people in food desert communities to local farm products through our mobile farmers market, the Monticello Farmers Market, and our mobile food pantry, along with providing educational programming, technical assistance to farmers on wholesale market readiness, and a recently launched a produce prescription program for customers.

Melinda also provides support to Sullivan County farmers markets through technical assistance and marketing programs, along with developing the Sullivan Catskills Farmers Market coalition, which is a joint marketing and educational effort to promote Sullivan County farmers markets.

Dacotah Rousseau

Dacotah is a native New Yorker who had a career in wine marketing and hospitality management before landing at Down to Earth Markets. In 2021 she became Managing Director of the company, a mission-driven Certified B Corporation that manages nine farmers markets in New York City and Westchester County. The company has a 30+ year history of connecting small scale regional farmers and food makers directly to consumers to help strengthen the local food system, improve access to fresh, local foods, and ensure a future for small scale food production in New York.

Amanda Root

Amanda is the Director of Operations for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County. She specializes in parenting, community nutrition, and healthy lifestyles, often speaking at conferences, workshops and professional development events. She has extensive experience in curriculum writing in the areas of food safety, nutrition, education, and parenting.

Amanda has worked in the world of non-profits for nearly two decades and specializes in fund development through grant writing. She has worked on all aspects of grants including writing, program start up, budgeting, and reporting. Adding to her professional experiences, she has had the opportunity to volunteer for several community boards and committees for other non-profits.

Carlene Doane

Carlene has been employed by GardenShare, located in St. Lawrence County, since October 2010. In March 2022, Carlene was promoted to fill the Executive Director position. She is passionate about promoting a local food system through education, and awareness of programs for low-moderate income families, and has experience, close oversight, and operations for GardenShare.

A long-time resident of St. Lawrence County, Carlene has family roots in the area. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Spanish from SUNY Oswego. She volunteers with the Canton Free Will Meal, Food Bank of Central NY, Church and Community Program, local parent groups via public schools, United Women in Faith, the Canton Farmer’s Market Board of Director, Farmers Market Federation of New York Board and food access programs.

Jackie Farrell

Jackie has been involved with food sustainability for many years.  She always loved shopping at the Rochester Public Market, and as a Mom of 5, made it a weekly ritual, often with babies in the wagon.  When Rochester formed a large buying club of 100 families, Jackie joined and became the buyer for that club. In later years she worked as the Store Manager for Abundance Cooperative Market in Rochester, New York.   Jackie has been managing the Westside Farmers Market, located in the city’s westside, since 2009, and she will happily tell you it is her favorite thing to do.

Although she is presently preparing to retire, she will still proclaim “I am fortunate to attend a weekly outdoor party with my friends and neighbors”.  Jackie has found support and expertise in the members and work of the Federation, and is proud to serve on the Board, representing the Western Region.

Anneliese Bruegel

Anneliese Bruegel received her degree in Anthropology and Geology from Albion College and has lived in Chautauqua County for the past 15 years. She first began working in local Western New York food systems through her family-owned, NOFA-NY certified organic farm, Roo Haven Farm. She later took the position of Market Manager for the Fredonia Farmers Market, a small, year round, farmer and vendor managed not for profit that operates year round. Anneliese has been the Fredonia Farmers Market Manager for the past 8 years, and since then has become actively engaged in local food systems politics and development. Recently, she has completed a certification in Social Impact Management and Leadership by the Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP), which focused on Nonprofit Practice and Development, Social Impact, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Anneliese's hobbies include reading, sailing, crochet and cross-stitch, and she volunteers at the local Darwin Barker Historical Museum.

Andrea Bartolomeo

Andrea Bartolomeo has managed the Rhinebeck Farmers Market since 2016. Located in the Hudson Valley, this 30 year old market prioritizes growers and producers of agricultural products with over 30 vendors each season. In her other lives, Andrea works for an insurance agency and various catering companies in her area. She enjoys visiting farmers markets wherever she travels and has a huge passion for Italy.  She enjoys following the work of the Slow Food movement.  

Kelly Sauve

Secretary

Kelly is the Organizational Manager for the Ithaca Farmers Market, a cooperatively run organization formed in 1973. Ithaca Farmers Market is comprised of over 150 vendors selling hyperlocal agriculture, food, and art produced within 30 miles of the iconic Steamboat Landing pavilion located on Cayuga Lake. Her work at the farmers market is focused on building a community of producers and customers that not only creates a place for joyful commerce but also develops connections and a broader understanding of food systems.

Kelly has worked as an educational director and program manager for various non-profits and has enjoyed bringing that background to the world of farmers markets. In particular, she looks forward to furthering the work necessary to make Farmers Markets accessible for all individuals, sharing the message about the importance of eating locally and welcoming all people to the table. Kelly also sits on the boards of the Finger Lakes Toy Library.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and dogs; singing; volunteering, and enjoying all that the Finger Lakes area has to offer in food, drink, and nature!

Sophie Grant

Sophie is the Co-Founder and President of Phoenicia Farmers Market in Shandaken, NY, the Catskill Mountains. Sophie has been assisting farmers and small businesses with marketing, event planning, and business development for over a decade. Since opening PFM in 2021, Sophie has led a team of volunteers to grow the market to roughly 20 weekly vendors, year-round, featuring live music, activities, and community outreach. The market's primary goals are to improve local food access, foster community engagement, and stimulate economic development.

Throughout her five years of operating farmers markets, Sophie has had the opportunity to participate in enriching programs such as Uprooting Racism in the Food System by Soul Fire Farm, the FMM Pro Certification Course by the Federation, and the Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit Community of Practice by the Farmers Market Coalition. 

In addition to being a proud Board Member of the Farmers Market Federation, Sophie works full-time as Operations Coordinator for the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program, she volunteers as the Chairperson for the Shandaken Housing Smart Task Force, and she is an active member in PH2, a grassroots working group to revitalize Shandaken's Main Streets. 

As a chef, curator, and community organizer, Sophie's ideal Sundays are spent at the farmers market, tasting delicious creations, hearing tall tales from farmers, and running into all her neighbors.

Mark McMullen

Mark administers state and federal nutrition programs at the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Currently, he directs the WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs, the New York State WIC Vegetables and Fruits Check Program, and the New York State Farmers Market Wireless Electronic Benefits Transfer Program. Over 975 farmers participate in these programs at 450 community farmers markets and farm stands across New York State.

Lindsay Ott Wilcox

Lindsay brings two decades of communications experience to the Farmers Market Federation of New York in her role as Marketing Advisor. Lindsay is the owner and founder of Centermost Marketing, a boutique firm in Central Now York with a specialized focus on agriculture. Prior to founding Centermost, Lindsay was the Creative Director at iHeartMedia in Syracuse.

Lindsay’s first interaction with the Federation was in 2007 when she helped develop and launch the brand for the statewide EBT/Food Stamp token program that is still in use today. Lindsay is an award-winning marketer and creative professional, with honors from the New York State Broadcasters Association and Graphic Design USA.