Meet our Team
Justin | Director of Community and Environmental Projects
My great-grandmother moved to Nashua in 1916 from Canada and although my family has traveled in and out over the years, Nashua has always been "home" to us. My family lives here now and we love all the different aspects of our city.
I am always up for a random chat with someone I meet on the street and appreciate how unique each of us really are. I'm constantly open to learning about others and putting myself in their shoes to gain stronger perspective about what Grow Nashua can do to be a strong community asset for our neighbors!
Jess | Director of Education and Wellness Projects
After 20 years of public school classroom instruction I longed to apply my background to a new challenge and the elementary Growing Education program was a natural fit. I strive to give students an immersive, hands-on experience in the garden that benefits the mind, body, and soul, while being rooted in academics and social emotional learning.
Since childhood I have been passionate about environmental responsibility and the health of our planet. I am encouraged by the interest in ecological stewardship I see in Nashua, and grateful to be part of a team that strives to promote practices that will lead to a healthy and strong community.
When I’m not teaching about the garden, or in my own garden, I am busy with my kids and our dog. As a family we love spending time at Mines Falls, the Nashua Public Library, and our local farms.
Gibril | Curbside Compost Courier
I moved to the United States eight years ago with my four children and wife as refugees from Burundi, a country in East Africa.
My family was very happy to have a community garden to grow our food when we arrived here and for Grow Nashua's help to find seedlings such as African eggplant that reminded us of home.
In 2021 we started our own farm business with some space on a local farm and with the help of NRCS, Legacy Farm, and Grow Nashua. We will be expanding this year to sell some of our fresh vegetables, as well as share with other community members that are in need.
Kaylin | Community Resilience Coordinator
I'm originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, California. When I was growing up there, it was a place with undertones of punk rock rebels and woodstock ideals. Combining these dreamer roots with family values centered around gardening, social justice, and therapeutic healing has shaped who I've become. Forever committed to causes that better this planet for humans and our mother earth, I believe we are capable of becoming our best selves, but we need to imagine it first. Let's flip our 'ME' culture upside down to become a culture of 'WE'!
I've lived in many ecosystems but throughout my travels, I prioritize work that engages community, celebrates diversity, and provides opportunities for healing within green spaces. I strive to live up to these values every day and am grateful to be a part of the Grow Nashua team! Where there is community, there is love, and when there is love, anything is possible!
Ray | Lil' Free Farmstand Manager
I was born in Puerto Rico and came to the United States after my father had saved up enough money to get plane tickets for the whole family to join. My mother was a homemaker and father worked in a factory and both did an amazing job raising our family of eight!
We grew up with a strong faith that instilled values of generosity and helping others and I have made a point to do that through my lifetime. Working as a team member of Grow Nashua fits those values and is fulfilling to serve neighborhood families by sharing nutritional vegetables from our Free Veggie Truck!
Emily | Graphic Designer
Having called the Greater Nashua area home my whole life, my connection with Grow Nashua began in a really natural way. I first got involved as a Curbside Compost customer and loved growing veggies to share through the Lil' Free Farmstand. Now, as a Senior Graphic Designer, I volunteer my skills to support Grow Nashua’s mission through design.
It’s a fulfilling way to combine my creativity with my passion for nature and building a more holistic, sustainable ecosystem—one that supports both people and the planet. I truly love seeing the positive impact Grow Nashua continues to have on our community! If you’re curious, you can check out some of my design work at www.emilydingee.com
Dave | Garden Technical Specialist & Designer
Twelve years ago, permaculture’s values and principles deeply resonated with me. Since then, I’ve studied, practiced, and taught it, using its strategies to address global challenges.
Living in San Francisco, I engaged in urban agriculture projects, including Hayes Valley Farm, where I helped manage operations and led workshops. I also ran a garden education program at the SF VA Hospital, teaching veterans to grow food and support their recovery.
After returning to Nashua, I sought meaningful projects and connected with Grow Nashua in 2016. Since then, I’ve designed and installed community and school gardens while providing gardening education to neighborhood families.
I look forward to continuing this work—building relationships, strengthening our community, and helping families grow healthy food for a brighter future.
Asende | Curbside Compost Courier
I was born in Zaire, now called the Democratic Republic of Congo, and arrived as a refugee here in Nashua with my family in 2022. There is much instability in my country because of conflict. We are fortunate to be in a community where peace is present and all people have independence.
I am glad to be working with Grow Nashua and to be providing a service that is positive for our environment. I also speak Swahili and French and assist with translating for other families that have sought refuge here in Nashua and can use help learning how to navigate.
We are raising our nine children in this city and enjoy growing fresh vegetables in the community gardens, as well as cooking home recipes like fufu, made from lots of corn and cassava flour. You can contact me if you want to learn to cook African food :)
Jack | Development Manager
My connection with food and the land began as a child in rural Pennsylvania helping my mom in her vegetable garden. Over the years I’ve come to appreciate how growing food nourishes not just our bodies but our community. My experiences have demonstrated the potential community-owned agriculture has in bringing neighbors together to build resilient and connected communities while ensuring wholesome food is accessible.
My family recently started a market farm in southern New Hampshire, and we are excited to deepen our roots here in New Hampshire. I look forward to building community and connections with Grow Nashua and its partners, and to witness the opportunities that blossom when we work together.
David | Fix It Committee Member
I grew up on a medium sized dairy farm with a large garden and first met Justin during a “What can senior citizens do for Nashua” seminar where he was sharing about the goals and objectives of Grow Nashua and I felt there was something that I could contribute to the program. Then Justin found out that I knew my way around hammers and nails, and I have been with the program now for eight years building raised beds, moving mulch, reddistruting fresh vegetables to families in need, and other miscellaneous break fix tasks.
My first summer I was the Ash Street Garden tender, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was so rewarding to watch the plants grow to harvest and see the joy that was evident on the faces of the planters as they worked their plots. My wife and I have relocated from New York, where we had small gardens off and on over the years. Demands of work drew me away from gardening and working at Ash St. brought the memories of those gardens back :)
Jenn | Pine Street Garden Tender
One reason I like being a part of Grow Nashua is because it has been a very friendly and welcoming way to build community in a city where I am relatively new.
One favorite memory is attending the first News Community Hub. I had no idea what to expect, and it was so nourishing and exciting to see everyone collaborating on building something new.
Erin | Ash Street Garden Tender
I care about community, connection, and helping others, and I believe that small acts of care can lead to a better world. Being part of Grow Nashua has brought me closer to the community of Nashua. I signed up to volunteer because I wanted to help others, and I didn’t realize how much the people I met would end up helping me — with their kindness, energy, and sense of shared purpose. It’s inspiring to see what we can build together when we all contribute a little bit.
My favorite moments are the simple ones — working in the garden, talking with gardeners and people admiring the gardens, the beauty of the garden tucked away in a busy neighborhood, and seeing gardeners swap gardening tips and proudly show off what they have grown. These moments remind me how connected we all are and how Grow Nashua has brought so many people together.
Sam | Garden Fix It Team
I grew up in northern Vermont on a dairy farm during the 40's and 50's where we raised and grew a lot of our own food. My mother made our own bread and two pies-berry or apple- every day during the summer. My favorite quote is from Voltaire (one must cultivate one's own garden) which is a metaphor for how to gain wisdom and character.
Working at the garden is an opportunity for me to watch the gardeners do things they like. But the best is watching the Ledge Street teachers with their class, teaching them about gardening and nature.
Jenn | Arlington Street Garden Tender
I am a scientist and mom of two. Outside of work I have a passion for animals and hobby farming. I also love to travel and explore new restaurants and coffee shops! My husband and I moved here shortly before the pandemic and are looking for ways to meet new people and become more connected to our new community. I love taking my children with me to work in the garden. They are able to learn about gardening and see an example of giving back.
Daniel | Garden Project Team
I love art and creativity and I'm very passionate about nature and the environment. I love the opportunity to improve my surroundings and help provide for my community. My favorite memories are spending time with other volunteers and organizers; getting to know them while we worked together :)
other past contributors to our success
Christina | Communitor Connector & Lil' Farmstand Greeter
Every summer my grandfather had tomato and cucumber plants at his cottage on the lake and would let me pick a few to include in our meals while we were visiting. That was one of my favorite childhood memories and as a mother I want to pass that onto my child.
Gardening is relaxing and provides well being in several ways for physical and emotional health. Being a veteran who has struggles with physical and mental health I've found gardening to be some of the best therapy offered in my community. After growing in two garden beds to the veterans transitional housing I was living in as a way to reintegrate veterans back into the community while also meeting their nutritional needs. I joined Grow Nashua to serve fellow community members and help diminish suffering by providing useful information on valuable resources. It’s a great experience for me to get to know our neighbors and be able to help get their immediate needs met.
Tonia | Community Connector
I've lived in Nashua for most of my life and I am a 15-year resident of Major Drive, where I raised my children. Although my path has led me into a few side journeys, it always leads back here where ultimately my heart is. In this time, I have created a rich network of connections within both Major Drive and the community organizations that serve Nashua.
I can remember being a little girl at my grandparents house in the garden with my gram’s hands in the soil loving the smell and the feel of the soil in my hands running through my fingers. My gram taking the time to patiently instruct me on how to space, poke the seed holes, and gently place the seeds in so we could tuck them in to grow. These experiences led me to connect with the Earth and gave me an appreciation for what the Earth has given back to me.
As a person who has grown up without steady financial resources, I have strong knowledge of how people find alternative resources to survive and thrive, and some creative ways to help people help themselves. As Grow Nashua's Community Connector, I draw on this knowledge, these relationships, and my life-long commitment to helping people find and use their strengths in a system of mutual support. I’ve been through many stages within my life, helping others as much as I could along the way.
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Sonya | Marketing Content Manager
I’ve lived in Nashua my whole life and am proud to call it my home. I’m a firm believer in the power of community and sustainability in fulfilling our responsibilities to our neighbors and environment. I started with Grow Nashua as an intern over the summer and am excited to continue managing our social media presence!
Pheni | Community Development
I grew up in Malawi, a small and beautiful landlocked nation in southeast Africa. When I was little, I struggled to understand why a country blessed with natural beauty and rich soil constantly experienced hunger and chronic lack of nutrition, I wanted to find answers and solutions
Having experienced poverty and hunger, I developed a passion for community development and in 2010 I started a nonprofit called Love in Action Malawi to help provide holistic education to the children experiencing poverty and hopelessness. Today, organizations support over 1000 children with daily tutoring/after school lessons and daily meals. My organization is also actively involved in teaching the communities sustainable agriculture cultivating different crops on 20 acres of land. We are also involved in social justice education and advocacy.
Grow Nashua gave me an opportunity in 2020 to learn more about community gardening and best practices in agriculture. I've taken this knowledge back to assist people in Malawi to learn sustainable methods of farming as well as the masters work I completed on Organizational leadership at the UMass Lowell.
Julia | Lil' Free Farmstand Coordinator
Growing up in the state of New Hampshire, I always admired the natural beauty of the area. I stayed in state for undergrad, attending Keene State College studying nutrition and dietetics. I am now in graduate school at the University of New Hampshire, getting my Masters of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. My goal is to become a Registered Dietitian to encourage sustainable and healthy lifestyles for all ages.
In this new role, I hope to establish meaningful connections in the Nashua community while also implementing my passion for nutrition and wellness. I am extremely excited to be part of this unique summer food program!
Paul | Director of Ecological Stewardship
I have spent the last 25 years living in the Nashua area and raising my family. My focus with Grow Nashua is on the diversion of food waste by residents, businesses, and schools (click to join us)!
We are fortunate to live in a state that is the second most forested after Maine at 81%. Yet, New Hampshire does not have any laws on organic waste diversion as it permits food waste to be disposed of in landfills. We are starting to hit the limits with our present landfill space, so we are setting the example that just a small change in food diversion habits helps to reduce an individual's ecological footprint, lessen the impact on natural resources and turn food scraps into good compost and renewable energy!
Beatriz | Social Emotional Learning Specialist Intern
Growing up in Lawrence, Massachusetts I was exposed to many difficulties experienced by the people in my community which energized me to pursue an education in a field geared towards improving the lives of individuals.
I am passionate about food and nutrition access and its impact on health, social determinants of health, and social justice initiatives and was please to contribute to research on Social-Emotional Learning and how this can be incorporated in the School Growing Education series.
Stephanie | Director of Volunteer Engagement
I am passionate about sustainable food systems and ecosystem stewardship, and am committed to strengthening the urban ecological health in the Greater Nashua region where I grew up.
My background is environmental science and policy with a focus in sustainable and resilient communities, and I earned my Masters in Environmental Management from Western Colorado University.
I bring a diverse set of experiences to the Grow Nashua team, from managing a farm to food pantry program in Snohomish County, Washington to spending time working on food policy in New Orleans. I am a co-founder of the Southwest Seed Library, have coordinated community-scale design projects, and have educated students ages 2 to 72. I love "the great outdoors", traveling, and organic gardening.
Eddie | Lil' Free Farmstand Team Member
Born and raised in Nashua as a first generation American child of immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic. No stranger to adversity, I strive to overcome it and hope to inspire others like me to do so as well.
Immersed into the skateboarding community at the young age of 13 I learned a lot about diversity and the importance of breaking stereotypes.
Working in agriculture for almost 7 years exposed me to the importance of knowing where your food is coming from. I'm happy to get a chance to contribute to an amazing program and help locals in need get the nutrients they deserve.