ABOUT US
Yesterday, Our History
In 2009 Claire Thomas, a longtime farmer in Washington's productive Sammamish River Valley, looked in frustration at the surplus crops she was not able to sell. She was also well aware that many people do not have funds to purchase the nutritious food that farmers like her grow. Farmers love to donate food, and do so as much as time and money allow. However, if they have surplus crops in their fields, they often cannot afford to pay labor to pick, clean, package and deliver this produce where it is needed. Usually they have no choice but to just till it back into the ground, or leave it there until it is inedible. "How", she asked a group of friends, "can we make a direct connection between farmers like me and people in dire need of fresh produce?" Farms for Life was born out of that conversation. This group created the Farms for Life nonprofit organization to make a direct link between small sustainable farms and those who need fresh food.
Today, Our Board Of Directors
Claire Thomas
Emeritus
Claire is the founder of Farms for Life and the owner of the Root Connection Farm in Woodinville, the first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm in WA state.
Jeremy Dunsworth
President
Jeremy discovered Farms for Life by way of a local produce delivery service and could not wait to get involved. He’s spent the past 15 years working as a user experience designer and product developer with education technology companies. Most recently, he cofounded a company that provides an online platform for skills training to help people advance or launch new careers. Jeremy brings a variety of technical and process skills to the team. Outside of work, he practices yoga, occasionally hikes, and is learning to create neon art.
Beau Castillo
Treasurer
Beau was born and raised in Washington, where he grew up in Lake Stevens, and later attended school at the University of Washington. He was thrilled to learn about Farms for Life in 2020, and has been honored to be a part of such an impactful organization, serving previously as the secretary, and now as the treasurer. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, live theater, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Morgan Winkler
Member At Large
Morgan grew up in Rupert, Idaho, a tiny city on the plateau of Idaho known for growing the famous Idaho potatoes! She has served two terms of service with AmeriCorps; one, at a tuition free charter school in Moscow, Idaho and the second, at the United Way of King County where she learned about the issue of homelessness and hunger and the impact it has on community members. When not learning more about the issues of poverty and homelessness, she spends her free time tending the 8 raised beds she has in her backyard and going on hikes with her husband and two dogs.