Liz Gleason
Program Director
Learn About Liz
Liz joined the Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program in 2010, becoming Director in 2021. Liz oversees all program activities, funding awards, outcomes evaluation and reporting. She also fosters a robust set of partnerships with partner organizations across the state and leads fundraising efforts. She has a BA in Political Science from Williams College and has worked for a variety of farms and food-related non-profits in Vermont and Massachusetts. Liz fills her free time trail running, baking, and rock climbing.
Contact Liz by email using e.*******@**cb.org
Mariah Noth
REDI Manager
Learn About Mariah
Mariah joined the Viability Program team in 2019. She manages VHCB’s Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) as well as impact reporting, grant administration, and COVID Recovery initiatives. Mariah holds a degree in Community & International Development and Food Systems from the University of Vermont, and prior to joining VHCB, she worked as a community planner and in sustainable viniculture. Mariah is passionate about strengthening food systems, enjoys cooking and outdoor activities in all forms.
Contact Mariah by email using ma****@**cb.org or by calling or 802-828-1098.
Calley Hastings
Program Manager
Learn About Calley
Calley Hastings joined the Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program as the Program Manager in 2021. Calley has her BA in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Agriculture from UVM. She started her family business, Fat Toad Farm, 14 years ago producing Goat’s Milk Caramel, has been through the Viability Program as a client and has been providing business/marketing planning to farmers across Vermont as a consultant. She taught farmer Holistic Management courses for years and has recently been serving as the Board President of the VT Specialty Food Association. She brings a wealth of experience and connections to the working landscape to this position. In her free time Calley enjoys photography, running and her Icelandic sheep dogs!
Contact Calley by email at ca****@**cb.org or calling 802-828-3370.
Jillian Conner
Program Assistant
Learn About Jillian
Jillian joined VHCB as the Program Assistant for the Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program in 2022. She assists with all aspects of the program; supporting the business and succession planning programs, data management, and community outreach. Jillian graduated from Champlain College with a BS in Environmental Policy in 2015. Her vocational background ranges from starting a small diversified farm, working as a Vermont Town Clerk, and most recently, as a project manager in the carbon offset industry. Vermont’s working landscapes and local economy are her guiding light. Jillian spends her free time in the woods running and biking, skiing with her dog, and dreaming about sheep.
Contact Jillian by email using j.******@**cb.org or by calling 802-828-5587.
Our Network of Advisors
The Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program is a shared program model run as a partnership between VHCB and working lands service providers. VHCB contracts with these partners to provide individualized, in-depth business assistance to farm, food, and forest businesses across the state. This network of partners currently includes:
Advisory Board
Alyson Eastman
Deputy Secretary, Vermont Agency of Agriculture,
Food and Markets (Chair)
Roy Beckford
University of Vermont Extension
Catherine Emil
Vermont Woodworking School
Danielle Fitzko
Commissioner
Vermont Department of Forest, Parks & Recreation
Abby Long
NEK Collaborative
Sarah Isham
VT Agricultural Credit Corporation/
VT Economic Development Authority
Lynn Ellen Schimoler
NE Grassroots Environment Fund
Gregory Witscher
Understory Farm
Lyle Jepson
Commissioner, Vermont Department of Economic Development
Gus Seelig
Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
