A 20-year resident of Ventura County, Naomi is passionate about the role of local agriculture in building a sustainable food system. With 15 years of experience in food business leadership and innovation for Dole Packaged Foods, she founded Planet A Growth Partners, a consultancy supporting food system change agents, and served as Marketing Director for Planetary CARE, a regenerative agriculture startup. Naomi currently leads marketing for Fresh Food Connect, a nonprofit leveraging technology to engage home gardeners in community hunger relief. Naomi holds an MBA from the Wharton School, and a BSBA from Georgetown University. A proud parent of 2 kids in Ventura County public schools, Naomi loves getting her family out hiking, climbing, and digging in the soil around her native plant and veggie gardens.

Ruben is a Biology Professor at California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) where he regularly teaches Entomology and Apiculture & Bee Biology.  His research focuses on pollinator communities, honey bee health, and sustainable agriculture.  He is the faculty advisor for the Bee Club and is working to create a B.S. degree in Sustainable Agriculture at CSUCI.

Alec is a Fourth generation farmer. After graduating from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Accounting and Information Systems, he returned to work on the farm growing and managing crews for a variety of row crops. Currently serving as President of Farm Bureau of Ventura County’s Young Farmers & Ranchers committee while working for Nelson Farming helping to manage Avocados, and Citrus orchards.

Suzanne Lugotoff is a Registered Dietician who has dedicated her career to bringing students healthy, delicious meals in school cafeterias.  She is a founding member of Ventura County Farm to School and paved the way for the programs we have today.

Claudia was born and raised in Ventura County, obtained an associate degree from Ventura College before transferring to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she earned a Bachelor’s in Agriculture Business with a Minor in Crop Science.  She is the Oxnard district Blackberry/Blueberry Forecaster. She enjoys her role and most importantly being able to participate in various philanthropy events.

Allison is the Director of Nutrition Services for Ocean View School District in Oxnard, CA. Allison started her career in edible education in Boston, MA where she was the menu planner for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston. As her experience expanded into the classrooms of Boston Public Schools, she found her niche in school food, combining her passions for both teaching and cooking. Her interest in Farm to School Programming brought her out to California where she was the Executive Chef for Grimmway Academy and Edible Schoolyard Kern County, spearheading scratch cooking, farm to school, and connecting school gardens to the cafeteria. As a former credentialed teacher, she treats her cafeterias as an extension of the classroom. Allison holds a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration from Endicott Collect, a Swiss Hotel Diploma from Les Roches International School of Hotel & Restaurant Management, and an Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America.