Meet Our Team
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Ben Tillman- Director
Ben Tillman, Owner and Manager of Old School Design, brings extensive experience in community engagement, marketing, and fundraising. With years serving on nonprofit boards, including the Lyons Chamber and Studio 96, Ben has demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering sustainable food systems and advancing strategic initiatives. His collaboration with Harvest Hub and background in Communication enhance his expertise in outreach, governance, and strategic planning, making him a vital asset to the Harvest Hub board.
Trisha Jackson - Board Chair
Trisha Jackson, PhD hails from central Kansas, where she learned to value prairies and rural community. Her educational and personal adventures took her around the world, where she admired diverse cultures, foods, and landscapes. Through her graduate studies in soil science, food systems, and climatology, she came to understand the importance of soil health and decentralized food systems to create truly resilient rural communities brimming with healthy, delicious food.
Alan Siemer - Board Member
Alan proudly calls Bushton his home and is not only an active member of the Bushton City Council but also a driving force behind the success of the Bushton Commercial Kitchen. His multifaceted involvement showcases his unwavering dedication to our community."
Joseph Kern - Board Member
Joseph lives on his family's 1878 homestead west of Chase with his wife and three children. They operate Plum Hill Farm and specialize in vegetables, jam, eggs, and crafts. He has been a high school science teacher, an educational technology specialist at Emporia State University, formed a non-profit company that specializes in writing and supporting educational grants and is now the industrial technology teacher at Ellinwood Middle/High School, teaching woodworking and robotics.
Faith Trowbridge - Marketing and Digital Design Specialist
Faith is a graphic designer and photographer from California with a passion for helping people, reflected in her involvement with many programs throughout her life. She moved to Kansas for school and decided to stay, continuing to build her career and contribute to the community. She has a strong background in web design, logo development, and brand development.
Wendy Hughes - Board Member
Hailing from Ellinwood, Wendy plays a pivotal role in our community as the K-State Research and Extension agent for Rice County, where she combines her expertise and local insight to benefit our organization.
Paula Boyea - Board Member
Paula is a 5th generation Kansan. Raised on a farm in northeast Kansas. Masters in Herbology, PhD in Naturopathy with emphasis on nutrition and medical herbology. Passionate about locally sourced food, while finding a balance with native/prairie plants and pollinators. Paula Brings an impressive amount of knowledge to Harvest Hub.
Doug Keesling - Board Member
One of our esteemed Board Members and a proud resident of Chase. Beyond his role as the owner of Keesling Farms, Doug is also actively engaged in the field of Food Security at Huffine Global Solutions.
Mark Frick - Board Member
Mark Frick, Chief of Police in Little River, Kansas since 2021, brings over two decades of law enforcement experience from the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. An advocate for education, he facilitates D.A.R.E. programs and teaches de-escalation training. Mark also serves on the Little River School Board and coordinates the Little River Farmer's Market.