There are new faces at Brickworks in Friday Harbor. The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild is delighted to introduce their new (and first) Executive Director Steph Coffey and new Administrative Manager Cady Davies. Former General Manager Amy Plant has happily embarked on motherhood, remaining with the Ag Guild as part-time coordinator of the Island Grown in the San Juans program.
Coffey comes to the San Juans all the way from Two Harbors in northern Minnesota. She brings to the Ag Guild over 17 years of experience in advertising and 15 years in nonprofit management. She was also a part-time farmer, growing vegetables for Two Harbors restaurants and selling at the local farmers market. “It’s very exciting to be a part of the sustainable food movement and raise our family in such a beautiful place,” said Coffey about moving to the islands.
In her new position, Coffey will focus on promoting Ag Guild projects and the Brickworks facility. Brickworks rentals help fund other Ag Guild projects, such as Island Grown and the San Juan County Food Hub. Coffey feels “the Ag Guild is working on some pretty exciting county-wide projects.”
Long-time islander Davies raised her two daughters on San Juan Island. An early supporter of Spring Street International School, Davies managed the school office and traveled internationally with her daughters in tow. She subsequently spent ten years as an EMT and was the Executive Assistant at San Juan Island EMS for eleven years. Davies loves gardening, sailing, and playing with her two grandsons. “I’m excited to be part of another growing adventure here at the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild and to help support our community of farmers.”
Plant moved to the islands from London, UK six years ago to join her husband in an organic no-till farming and research operation. Previously, she enjoyed over 15 years working internationally as a “socially engaged artist,” creating projects that combined art, activism, and community building. Plant joined the Ag Guild in 2015. “Since the birth of my baby last year,” she says, “it’s a pleasure to be able to work part time, focusing on the Island Grown program and supporting the vital mission of the Ag Guild with such a fabulous, growing team!”
The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild’s mission is to foster a vibrant, resilient, and sustainable local food system in San Juan County, Washington. For more information, call 378-0095, email info@sjiagguild.com, or go to www.sjiagguild.com.
