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The Village Agricultural Cooperative
Helping Communities Grow Together
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Join Our Board
Team Members
Amanda Nigon-Crowley, Executive Director
Born on a century farm on the west side of Rochester, Amanda understands the value of an abundant and local food supply. A former mental health practitioner, she's passionate about merging the benefits of sustainable agriculture into the urban setting. As a co-founder of the Village, her passion for community building and generous spirit continue to strive to grow the organization and serve the community by creating opportunities for land access in and around Rochester.
Amanda's farm network is largely responsible for the early success of the Village, and we're grateful to her friends and family members who have brought their tractors, tillers, trailers, and knowledge to our farms to get us up and running every season.
Being a trauma-informed practitioner has led to success in building trust within our community, and Amanda is passionate about the health of our soil as well as our people.
Email: amandanc@rochvillage.org
Amanda's farm network is largely responsible for the early success of the Village, and we're grateful to her friends and family members who have brought their tractors, tillers, trailers, and knowledge to our farms to get us up and running every season.
Being a trauma-informed practitioner has led to success in building trust within our community, and Amanda is passionate about the health of our soil as well as our people.
Email: amandanc@rochvillage.org
Kim Sin, Food Development Coordinator
As co-founder of the Village, Kim has always been a strong advocate for community integration and good food. A talented chef, musician, IT professional, Kim gives his all to making the world a better place.
After migrating to Rochester from Cambodia when he was a young child. Kim experienced first hand how lack of land access impacts a family. His mother knew how to garden, but their landlord did not want her to mess up their lawn. There were many days where they only had rice to eat, when they could have had fresh vegetables directly from their living space.
Full of grace and compassion, Kim moves our mission forward with a clear understanding of the needs of our community, and a knack for connecting across cultures for the greater good.
Email: kimsin@rochvillage.org
After migrating to Rochester from Cambodia when he was a young child. Kim experienced first hand how lack of land access impacts a family. His mother knew how to garden, but their landlord did not want her to mess up their lawn. There were many days where they only had rice to eat, when they could have had fresh vegetables directly from their living space.
Full of grace and compassion, Kim moves our mission forward with a clear understanding of the needs of our community, and a knack for connecting across cultures for the greater good.
Email: kimsin@rochvillage.org
Melanie Boyer, Operations Manager
Melanie is passionate about public health, horses, plants, family, camping, good food, equity, and more!! As Operations Manager, she is in charge of managing a wide breadth of services that the Village offers to our community. From assigning plots at our community farms to lining up music for our markets, Melanie is a strong addition to our team.
Melanie grew up in a large family that is passionate about helping their community. With her strong work ethic, she is not afraid to take on tasks and do her best to support our community.
Melanie grew up in a large family that is passionate about helping their community. With her strong work ethic, she is not afraid to take on tasks and do her best to support our community.
Valerie D, Land Access Coordinator & Community Liaison
Valerie is a talented farmer who helps the Village connect to multi-generations of new Americans living in the Rochester Area. She has become a land access navigator with the intention of helping farmers transition their land to farmers in our network. You will also find her navigating our new high tunnel, learning all about it and teaching others how to use this tool.
If you see Valerie, please congratulate her on winning the 2025 Minnesota Farming Family of the Year award!
Valerie@rochvillage.org
If you see Valerie, please congratulate her on winning the 2025 Minnesota Farming Family of the Year award!
Valerie@rochvillage.org
Carrie Arnold, Creative Manager
Rasmi Alou Lee, Market Manager
Tou Herr, Community Liaison & Market Manager
Tou has been supporting the Hmong farmers in our network since we met in 2022, and has joined the Village team to help us grow our marketing efforts and move produce into the community. We are grateful to him and his talented family for all of their contributions that help to make our community more vibrant every day!
Jose Jimenez, Farm Maintenance Manager
Jose is talented not as a farmer, but also as a builder, painter, packing station constructor, high tunnel erector, and all things handy. He keeps our farms looking good and always has a smile to brighten your day.
Board Members
Miriam Goodsen
Alliance of Chicano Hispanic Latino Americans
Britt Brown
University of Minnesota Rochester
Curtis Shellum
History Center Community Garden
Graciela Porraz
Mayo Clinic
Tiberious Mose
Mayo Clinic
Filiberta Cano
Kennedy Ombaye
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