Our Team
Growing Opportunities has a highly committed volunteer leadership team with extensive experience in regenerative agriculture, farming, produce marketing/sales, nutrition and cooperative land use agreements.
We are forever grateful for the contributions of Founding Director Craig Evans, who passed away in March 2023.
We'd also like to acknowledge and thank employees, contractors and volunteers, past and present, who have contributed to GO over the years. Thank you for your support!
Board of Directors
Founding Director
Jen Cody
A registered dietician with the Nuuchahnulth Tribal Council, Jen has 25 years of experience in the field of food sovereignty and food systems development. Jen helped found Growing Opportunities with her life partner Craig Evans. She has 15 years of farming experience and is passionate about seed saving and carrot growing.
Founding Director
Isabelle Morris
Isabelle has 20 years of experience in organic vegetable production. She is a founding director of Farmship Growers Cooperative in Ladysmith which has grown from 2 acres to 12 acres, and employs about 10 people. Isabelle is a founding director of GO and a valued mentor for the farm team.
Director
Ben Glassen
Ben is the owner/operator of Glassen Farms, a regenerative livestock farm operating on leased land in Nanaimo, and The Good Place Abattoir. He is a director of the Small Scale Meat Producers Association, Coombs Farmers Institute, Vancouver Island Roots Farmers Market and District A Farmers Institute. In this spare time, Ben is co-host of the popular agricultural radio show, The Tuning Fork, on CHLY.
Director
Heather Pritchard
A pioneer in promoting different forms of land tenure that will allow people who want to farm to have access to land in the future, Heather is a founding member of FarmFolk CityFolk. She is also a co-founder/farmer with Glorious Organics Co-op in the Fraser Valley, and a resident member of Fraser Common Farm Cooperative in Langley, BC where she has been farming since 1985. Heather is on contract with Foodlands to build a Foodland Trust Cooperative. We're grateful for her wisdom and support.
Staff
Operations Manager & Inclusion Specialist
Jesyka
In her fourth season with Growing Opportunities, Jesyka is the architect of our community and accessible environment. She doesn't just manage daily operations, she truly brings the organization's mission to life. With her authentic warmth and dedication to inclusion, her genuine care is deeply woven into the fabric of GO - ensuring that every person who steps onto the farm leaves feeling connected, confident, and valued.
Field Support Mentor, Communications Team
Shayna
Shayna is a former indoor-kid who stumbled onto the farm two years ago after completing her bachelor of arts degree with a major in psychology. She hasn't left since and loves to share all that she's recently learned about farming and food production while supporting our volunteers in the field!
Production Assistant
Bowen
Joining us for her second season, Bowen is our horticulture mastermind, having a wealth of knowledge and skill to add to our team!
Producation Team, Mycology Enthusiast
Rheanna
Rehanna joined the team this summer, bringing with her a degree in kinesiology and previous experience managing a mushroom farm! She will be helping us with our land improvement, revitalizing our small but mighty ecosystem.
Landscaping
Maria
Maria is coming back for her third season with Growing Opportunities as our all-star landscaper! She is responsible for all the well maintained spaces you see this season.
Community Organizer, Communications Team
Ocea
Ocea is joining us for her second season at Growing Opportunities. She is keeping you in the loop while the farm is busy at work!