Staff

Pertula holds a Masters Degree in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University’s Heller School of Social Policy and Management. She spent nearly six years managing youth programs at The Food Project in Massachusetts before joining Common Good City Farm. She has served as a school teacher and co-founder of a youth and agriculture project in St. Lucia. Working with diverse people in the local sustainable food movement has fueled her commitment to building strong communities and empowering youth to create social change. You can reach her at pertula@commongoodcityfarm.org

Anita is thrilled to be joining Common Good City Farm as the Urban Grower. Originally from the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, she most recently hails from Brooklyn, NY where she had been working in mental health and social work. Anita initially became interested in sustainable agriculture and the food movement when she helped to develop a farm on the roof of a supportive housing residence for formerly homeless, mentally ill adults. After two seasons fighting wind, sun amplification, and other rooftop issues, she studied Ecological Horticulture at the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems in Santa Cruz, CA. Anita is committed to repairing the broken food system through increasing food access, education, and community involvement. You can reach her at anita@commongoodcityfarm.org.

Although he was born in nearby Ft. Belvoir, Homer spent his childhood moving around, living on homesteads in the Midwest. There, he learned the values of self-sufficiency and local agriculture. He worked in a variety of sectors, from street musician to Fortune 500, before returning to the earth to serve the ongoing development of sustainable food systems. His other interests include poetry and philosophy.

Toussaint L'Ouverture Tingling-Clemmons, a 28-year-old native Washingtonian, has worked with DCPS for the last four years first as ISS Coordinator and then Dean of Students. Named for the Haitian revolutionary, Toussaint L'Ouverture, he has made a name for himself as an activist and advocate for the people of his hometown in Washington D.C. Raised in a home where family time was spent protesting injustices and leafleting for his father's political career, Toussaint has played an integral part in many grassroots organizations. He was appointed President of the National Capitol Coalition to Prevent Underaged Drinking (NCCPUD) in his senior year of high school. An accomplished speaker, Toussaint has given speeches on the steps of the Capital and countless other events. He is also the youngest American delegate to give a speech at the 2000 World Conference Against A & H Bombs in Japan. In addition to his work with Youth Court, Toussaint is majoring in Sociology at UDC. He plans to use his skills as an organizer to help better the quality of life for all people. You can reach him at toussaint@commongoodcityfarm.org

Bezawit “Beza” Abebe comes from a background in social justice, She was first introduced to the food justice movement in Richmond, VA while attending Virginia Commonwealth University. She spent her time volunteering with the local community gardens teaching low-income families about sustainability. She hopes to bridge the gap between different socio-economic backgrounds and help food deserts in Washington DC become self-sufficient. You can reach her at beza@commongoodcityfarm.org

Raised in New York City, Judea comes to Common Good City Farm after volunteering and participating in the Green Tomorrows program. You can reach her at judea@commongoodcityfarm.org

Ever since living on an organic farm in New Zealand, Dena has been interested in farming and the local food movement. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, she joined Americorps to work on land and water based conservation projects on Cape Cod. She has lived in DC for the past six years, working at an environmental consulting firm. A resident of Bloomingdale, she is excited to apply her love of fresh, local food and the environment to help bolster and empower the neighborhood.

Paul Seamus Ryan is a food enthusiast who, in addition to serving as a board member and committed volunteer for Common Good, also teaches cooking classes at ArtSpace DC, volunteers for the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, shops regularly at local farmers markets, spends a lot of time cooking for friends and family and also spends time behind a camera photographing food and anything else that catches his attention. He makes his living as an attorney for the nonprofit Campaign Legal Center, a DC-based voting rights and election reform organization.

Niko was born in Ecuador, raised in New Mexico and has since lived in CO, CA, GA, Thailand, Zambia, and DC. Niko has worked with children in rural Africa on a community gardening program, three years experience farming and gardening in Africa and the US, and over ten years experience in professional kitchens. He is passionate about food and issues surrounding food security and brings this interest to the kids in the Youth Garden Program with Common Good.

Josefine's great love of food–eating it, cooking it, sharing it–brought her to the farm, where she gets to help grow food and share it with others. As a resident of DC, Josefine is grateful for this patch of urban farmland where she enjoys meeting neighbors and playing in the dirt.