Seed to Table undertakes changes

As the seasons change from fall harvest to winter cold, local farm and nonprofit Seed to Table (STT) is undergoing changes of its own. Its top leadership position has transitioned. Though 2024 has been a strong year for its three core programs - education, feeding local people, and Sisters Farmers Market - the organization is addressing gaps in fundraising revenue, unrelated to the leadership transition.

Seed to Table recently announced that its Founder and Farm Director Audrey Tehan will once again step into the position of executive director, this time on an interim basis. Holly Haddad has moved on from the position.

Photo provided

Farmers and staff at Seed to Table grow veggies that feed over 2,200 people weekly in the community. Audrey Tehan, third from right, has moved into the interim executive director position.

"The Seed to Table board extends its sincere gratitude for Holly's time, hard work, and contributions," said board member Katy Yoder.

Added Tehan, "Holly's work has left a positive mark on our organization."

Tehan believes the organization will successfully navigate its leadership transition and fundraising gaps.

"I'm optimistic that we'll get the support we need," she said.

Returning to her 10-year role as executive director, while also acting as farm director, sounds like a lot of work to Tehan. On the other hand, "We've learned a ton. We're not in the same place we were a year and a half ago," when she decided to step down from the executive director position.

"There's a part of me that feels like this is a coming home," Tehan mused. "I feel deeply settled, being surrounded by our staff and board that have been with us so long. This is an unexpected challenge but I wouldn't want to be doing it with anybody else."

Seed to Table leaders are taking steps to ensure that Tehan has extra support for a smooth transition. They have identified a consultancy group specializing in grant funding to take some work off of Tehan's plate next year, and emotional support from around Sisters Country nourishes Tehan as well.

"I've gotten an outpouring of words of encouragement, people reiterating how much Seed to Table means to them and the community," she said. "That's given me a lot of energy to head into the unknown."

A diversified funding model is used by STT receiving about one-third of its revenue from the programs it produces, another third from grants, and a final third from individual donors and sponsors.

Grant funding brought in less revenue than hoped this year. STT recently met with local grant-writing experts who reported a drastic increase in the number of organizations applying for available grants. This means fewer organizations receive less funding.

"Competitiveness increased this year due to multiple factors that have created tough situations for many nonprofits across the state," explained Tehan.

New projects and large expansions often receive more funding than programs that are already up and running. Yet according to experts such as the Center for Effective Philanthropy, funders generally see strong outcomes when they support existing programs-and the employees that make those programs tick.

"It's really the people on our team that make everything happen. Investing in our people is the most important thing we pay for," Tehan said. "It can be hard to fundraise for staff - but without them, we are an empty field covered with cheatgrass."

Six months' operating reserves have been built up by STT.

Tehan said, "We're thankful that the reduced grant revenue isn't going to cause cuts in any of our programming - yet."

Donations from the community provide essential financial support and lift spirits, too. "Farming and running programs takes a lot of heart and grit," Tehan said. "We are in it so much every day-teaching the kids, battling the wind, the team is out there farming in icicles right now-so when someone sends us a check, it's inspiring to all of us."

Core programs of STT have grown this year. The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce share now reaches 180 households. The farm is growing nearly 100,000 pounds of produce this year; weekly, more than 2,200 people receive these fresh, local veggies. Forty percent is donated to food pantries and partners such as Family Access Network.

"We've had an incredible fall bounty," Tehan enthused. "The colors that are coming out of the field right now and the quality of food are just so good."

In the organization's education program, director Hannah Joseph revamped curricula and lesson plans that serve over a thousand local students. Sisters Farmers Market, another core program of STT, expanded into new territory (Click here to see related story.).

Tehan expressed deep gratitude for the board of directors.

"I am so thankful for the board's support of me and the staff, and the care they bring to overseeing the organization," Tehan elaborated.

Board chair Sheila Doyle Kelley offered a statement about STT's time of transition. "Audrey Tehan, Hannah Joseph, and Willa Bauman are powerhouse leaders in programming. Helen Vaskevitch has been elevating our operations over the past five years. Our farm managers Jenn Gardener, Rubye Fangmeier, and Vivian Toll have been in leadership roles with us for three years, championing efforts on the ground every day. That kind of stability, dedication, and indispensable talent will continue to empower the organization as we work on long-term sustainability plans."

STT leadership will use the farm's fallow period over the winter to explore possibilities for the future.

"Decisions regarding a longer-term executive director will be made once the organization thoughtfully assesses the best path forward," according to a press release.

In the meantime, STT is reaching out to supporters for end-of-year donations. For more information on Seed to Table visit http://www.seedtotableoregon.org.