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.”
Contact Michele at michele@communityagalliance.org

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.
Contact Patrick at patrick@communityagalliance.org

Meredith’s journey into local food began as a young adult. 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 CAA Market 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 an officer of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union’s Northwest Colorado Chapter and a Regional Food Coordinator for Hunger Free Colorado. 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, you can find her cross-country skiing or hiking with her dog, Tilly, or enjoying a beer at Storm Peak Brewing Co.
Contact Meredith at meredith@communityagalliance.org

Growing up in Steamboat, she developed a strong sense of loyalty and pride for this community; the people, the culture and the history are so special to me. Her passion for the food system and agriculture as a whole has grown and grown after years of selling local produce at farmer’s markets and working on a farm. Now, she’s seeking a lifelong career connecting people to their food and what better place to do it than in the community she loves. Working at the CAA Market is a beautiful opportunity to combine the two things she loves most. Outside of work and class, you’ll usually find her romping around North Routt or enjoying a beer with her pals.

Born and raised outside of town in Steamboat Springs, Lucas was always surrounded by farms which sparked his interest in local agriculture. Starting at the age of ten, he participated in the local Routt county 4-H program which taught him a lot about how much time and effort goes into growing the food that you can buy at the grocery store. It also taught him about how much better it can be for you depending on what you feed your animals and how they are taken care of. Working at the CAA Market is a great way for Lucas to see old friends from 4-H while still being connected to the community through agriculture. Outside of working at the CAA Market you can find him skiing, floating down the river, and hanging out with his friends.