Michele has worked at CAA since 2010 and assumed the Executive Director role in 2018. She brings over 20 years of professional fund raising and marketing experience to the CAA. Michele previously worked for United Way, Hospice of Larimer County and has her own business as a personal trainer/yoga instructor, she is also a part time ski instructor  With a diverse background, Michele comments, “I am honored to be a part of the Community Agriculture Alliance. I truly believe in the organizations’ mission of preserving, promoting and supporting agriculture.  One of the main reasons I moved here, and I think a very common one, is the scenic working landscapes and heritage of agriculture.  The natural beauty of the area and the scenic views that rural agriculture provide are critical to keeping the Yampa Valley so unique and special.  I truly believe the mission of CAA is critical to the fabric of our community.”

Patrick is a fourth-generation rancher on a local Yampa Valley ranch that has been in the family for more than 100 years. After a 20-year hiatus from the Valley, while gaining his Engineering degree and working in the business world, Patrick moved back to the ranch in 2013. Starting work for the CAA in 2018 Patrick is dedicated to the work of promoting agriculture in the Yampa Valley. As the Agriculture Resource Coordinator, Patrick will continue the water education programs and outreach for agriculture in the Yampa Valley.

Although she is new to the role, Meredith is no stranger to local food. In college, she took a course that sparked her interest in agriculture. This interest became a hobby when she moved to the Yampa Valley in 2014 and started volunteering for the Community Ag Alliance. She then became a staff member and helped grow the program and perform admin duties. Her hobby of local food grew into a passion and is now the north-star in her career path. Presently, she is a Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Fellow and part of the Northwest Colorado Food Coalition. She enjoys connecting with local food any chance she gets and sharing the farmer’s story. She is the owner of Rose West, an ag marketing and resource business, that launched this year. Away from the CAA Market you can find her cross-country skiing or hiking with her dog, Tilly, or enjoying a beer at Storm Peak Brewing Co.

Jozie Schwarz is the newest staff member of the CAA, stepping into the role of CAA Market Associate. Jozie’s love for outdoor recreation is what originally drew her to Routt County. Making the move in 2019 she started working on a ranch in South Routt and got her first taste of the ‘ag life’. Having zero prior experience, she quickly found direction and hasn’t been led off that path since. When she isn’t helping you select the best local foods at the market, you’ll find her in Yampa doing custom meat processing. Food has always been a passion of hers, working for many restaurants over the last 12 years, she takes good food seriously and can’t wait to help you learn more about what’s on your plate!

Our current Chair of the CAA Board of Directors is Shiloh Whaley. Shiloh, her husband Jay and their four daughters, run a diversified ranch in South Routt. They raise sheep, goats, cattle, rabbits and chickens. Whaley Lamb meat is sold at the CAA Market. Shiloh has been an excellent chair, as she understands diverse ag operations and the work that truly needs to be done to get meat on the table for her customers. We appreciate her leadership and hard work on the Board and on the ranch!