LaShauna Austria and Jean Willoughby have joined Agrarian Trust’s team as consultants to transition our leadership and build our staff.
LaShauna and Jean bring extensive leadership experience, having served on boards of directors and as leaders of organizations. LaShauna and Jean have worked with numerous organizations through their respective consulting companies, Seeds of Change Consulting LLC and Health Equity Resources and Education LLC. Their roles at Agrarian Trust will focus on advancing our mission, building partnerships, conducting in-depth evaluations of our programs, and being in close communication with our national network of farmers, partners, and supporters.
LaShauna and Jean join Agrarian Trust at a turning point in the U.S. food system. Beginning farmers continue to report that a lack of affordable, long-term land access is the number one challenge they face in establishing successful farms. At the same time, as the farmer population ages, almost half of all U.S. farmland—more than 400 million acres of land—are expected to change hands within this decade and the next. Agrarian Trust remains committed to providing farmers and their communities with tools to secure land tenure and build a healthier food system.
To help us welcome LaShauna and Jean to the team, please consider supporting our work by donating to our Caring for the Commons fund. Your donation will go toward essential expenses including fair wages for our talented staff and funding for our work with attorneys, advisors, and realtors to make community-held land a reality.
Meet LaShauna Austria
LaShauna is the owner of Kindred Seedlings Farm and Seeds of Change Consulting. She previously served as the executive director of Benevolence Farm. She provides consulting, organizational and leadership development, research, evaluation, facilitation, feasibility studies, and a range of services to individuals and organizations. LaShauna possesses a demonstrated record of collaborating with rural communities, both faith-based and secular, to build better food systems.
Meet Jean Willoughby
With more than a decade of experience in conservation, agriculture, and economic development, Jean is dedicated to building partnerships, community engagement, and leadership development. Alongside an experienced team, Jean has trained and advised leaders and staff at organizations large and small, including government agencies, Fortune 100 companies, nonprofits, cooperatives, land trusts, and farms. Jean has worked with organizations across the country including the Triangle Land Conservancy and the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative. She is the author of Nature’s Remedies: An Illustrated Guide to Healing Herbs (Chronicle Books).
Please join us in welcoming LaShauna and Jean!
Donate to our Caring for the Commons fund today.
