OUR TEAM 

Megan (she/her) has been farming organically and regeneratively since 2018. She has supported a 200+ person CSA and Chicago suburb farmer's market. She trained at Carversville Farm Foundation to raise vegetables, log-cultivated mushrooms, eggs, chickens, turkeys and beef cattle all for donation, which ignited her passion for food justice and sovereignty. In 2020, she joined Hundred Fruit Farm, an educational permaculture farm and edible nursery. There she deepened her farming experience, became certified in permaculture design and eventually was farm manager for two years. 

Megan is the delighted owner and operator of LNCF. With a permaculture design lens, she manages all farming operations, co-creates agroecology workshops, offers consultation, design and implementation services. Shepherding and coppice willow production are her main farming passions. When she is not farming, she is a practicing death doula. Her long-term intention is to weave willow caskets for green burials. In her spare time, she loves singing and playing guitar, eating mint chocolate chip ice cream and spending time with loved ones.

Marissa (she/her) is an Associate Professor of education at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). Her work at TCNJ has focused on education for EcoJustice and Sustainability. In her time there, she has taught courses on food justice, sustainability and society with a climate justice lens, as well as worked with students on developing EcoJustice lessons for NJ K-12 classrooms. Her work has allowed her to travel to places like Ecuador and Puerto Rico to learn about indigenous and restorative farming practices that are aligned with nature and support biodiversity and sustainability of local food systems. Prior to TCNJ she worked as a high school teacher in NYC teaching various environmental courses and was committed to connecting students to local environments, both manmade and more natural.

As Education Director, Marissa is responsible for framing the pedagogical philosophy for LNCF, co-developing workshops, and building partnerships with schools and educators in the local community. On the farm, Marissa maintains the grounds, manages the vermicompost system, tracks insect diversity, and helps with major projects. In her free time, she can be found canoeing on the Delaware River, cuddling with their dog Cookie, or on a yoga mat moving or meditating.

Jim is a veteran of 16 + years in the US Air Force and the US Navy’s Submarine Fleet. His background in safety stems from the operation, maintenance, and care of hazardous materials and nuclear weapons. He was highly decorated for his leadership and program management of the overhaul of the USS Nevada’s Strategic Weapons System (SWS) and the Trident Training Facility’s seven SWS laboratories. As a Navy Instructor, Jim became a Master Training Specialist where he developed, coordinated, and executed training programs in leadership, safety and security protocols, and operational excellence. His heart for developing people continues today where Jim serves as Beacon Mobility’s Director of Safety for the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Jim is passionate about diversity, soil, geology, and emergency management. As the Director of Safety and Disaster Management, he is responsible for shaping the farm’s safety strategy through LNCF’s Safety and Emergency Guide focused on emergent situations that may arise on the farm. Jim maintains the facilities and grounds and collects data to analyze key performance indicators of the farm for continuous improvement. He is an advocate for people, the soil, vermicompost, and tractors! When at play, Jim loves being with family, hockey, reading, and playing guitar!

Laura (she/her) is a geologist and online instructor for Valdosta State University, in Valdosta, GA. Prior to teaching, she was an exploration geologist in the petroleum industry, searching for oil and gas deposits for global companies. After reviewing the data and scientific evidence for Global Warming, she made a radical shift in priorities and now researches and teaches the effects of Climate Change and its impacts on the global, regional, and local scales. She has also taught courses on Sustainability, Ecology, Environmental Science, as well as multiple Geography courses. 

This has led to a desire to share the message of holistic diversity. She is currently taking classes through Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web School, to become a certified soil consultant, and continues research and evaluation of the different ecological environments and soil health found on Lower Neshanic Community Farm. In her free time, Laura can be found reading, looking up new recipes, painting, watching hockey, or writing novels!

Bio Coming Soon

As a descendant of wolves, Cookie (2013-2025) loved being on the farm. You would have found him chasing rabbits, marking his favorite plants and exploring the farm from the safety of the truck. In his spare time, he was often found atop a pillow or in someone's arms. Cookie passed in February 2025 but was able to share in the starting of LNCF. His primary role on the farm and beyond was to spread joy to all who met him. He will be missed.