Makena whitaker: Co-founder

Around the Bend Farms is my calling.

My goal has always been to spread joy and success within a new non-profit endeavor. I want to keep flourishing gardens in Central Oregon so that families can live in an abundance of agriculture.

One of my favorite activities of being a dietitian is trialing new vegetables and fruits in a cooking workshop environment. I like integrating new cultivars into American and Mediterranean dishes to increase fiber and nutrients into classic American diets. Food is my most sacred currency. I am always cooking and baking to share the fruits of my labor with my community.

I am a down-to-earth person and I feel connected to the world through real relationships, strong community and my outdoor environment.

Food is my most sacred currency.

The message we convey to the world is a reflection of the change we wish to make.

Russell Simpson: Lead designer

I think it’s critical that we help reduce the damage we do to the planet.

Indoor farming is the way of the future, and it takes ingenuity to develop the technological systems to make it work. I love innovating and improving the efficiency of hydroponic farms, and designing them to be optimized for each client and their needs.

Knowing that my work helps feed my neighbors is the best driver for my passion. Working with local organizations and businesses to help lift each of us up, together, strengthens the web of energy and life that makes a community.

Being able to improve a system, or invent an entirely new approach, are some of my greatest professional joys. The long arc of human development bends towards good & progress, and being able to stand on the shoulders of giants and raise it just a bit more is enough achievement for a human life.

What we are doing can be completely reproduced locally and globally.

chris fasan: co-founder

Making an impact on health and sustainability helps us achieve our potential.

Working with Around the Bend Farms, I get to leverage my storytelling and communications experience in a way that will improve peoples lives. Having goals for the greater good as our driving agenda is both refreshing and inspiring to me.

In my experience, improving your diet can make a significant impact on your health and wellbeing. Increasing access to the right foods and educating others on the benefits and importance is essential work that desperately needs doing, and I’m proud to be part of a passionate, talented team of like-minded individuals who are all pushing to make these things happen.

Our passion is to bring our community a truly local & interactive food system.

ben marsh: Ceo and co-founder

We are the dreamers, and so we have a responsibility to create the world we envision.

I'm humbled each day by the amazing people in our organization who help shape the present development and imagined future of Around The Bend Farms, and they remind me to always trust the power of relationship. We are creating everything we do from a "seed crystal" of imagination, passion, talent, collaboration, patience and focus. It's all really a labor of love, and not about getting "somewhere" or marketing a product at light speed.

The new face of farming we are creating is being built upon ancient methods, and all we're doing is incorporating our unique twist on modern, innovative, and community-oriented processes. This hybrid food system that we envision incorporates local collaborators directly in the planning, design and integration process. We always need to remember that farming and gardening was born from community, cultures, family, and local endeavors to consistently and effectively feed each other healthy food for generations.

The work we are doing is building a more sustainable world.

Josh Lesko: Farm Manager

Urban farming offers a way to break free of systematic challenges from industrial agriculture.

Originally from Bainbridge Island, WA, Josh discovered his passion for Urban Agriculture while studying at the University of British Columbia. His experience there and his hands-on work at other farms have made him our go-to for all things planting, growing, and harvesting! Since living in Bend he has enjoyed disc golf, snowboarding, rock climbing, and learning to play the harmonica.

Josh brings an unbelievable passion and enthusiasm to the farm that we couldn’t go without!

Driven by a future of abundance and equity.

Isabel Kiefert: Communications Director

I am driven by a future of abundance and equity.

“Working at Around the Bend Farms allows me to connect people with the essential resources they deserve while fostering a community dedicated to equitable food access. As the Communications Director, I am committed to expanding the reach of our programs through both online and in-person engagement. My role is to build strong community connections and integrate Around the Bend Farms into the daily lives of those who need it most.”

Originally from Colorado, Isabel was drawn to Central Oregon for its natural beauty and abundant agricultural community. Isabel is deeply integrated into the community through her multiple roles and hobbies around town. You can find her harvesting vegetables for Rainshadow Organics in Sisters, or coordinating events at Patagonia Bend!

Working collectively to drive our mission forward.

Gabrielle Monia: Grants Manager

With great pleasure and a deep sense of responsibility, I share the story of our collective vision.

I believe in collaborative approaches to growing food with the motives of nourishing others and caring for the land that sustains us all. It’s my honor to convey the work of Around the Bend Farms, highlighting both our overarching mission and the daily actions that propel this vision forward.

My passion for writing and intensive research finds its place in my role as Grants Manager. I’m dedicated to anchoring our initiatives to a strong foundation of support. Cultivating meaningful partnerships with those who share our commitment to transforming the food access landscape is my focus. I also find joy in playing the violin and making music that gets feet moving, dabbling in ambitious DIY projects, and exploring the untamed expanses of our region.

“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

— Margaret Mead

BIG IDEAS