After 10 years of service on WCCD's board, Jill stepped down to join us as a staff member in 2023! Jill is working with a group of passionate agricultural advocates from across Michigan to grow the MiFarmLink program, an effort started in Ottawa County that helps preserve farmland and farming lifestyles by connecting agricultural landowners looking to sell/rent land with beginning farmers looking for land to farm.

Jill owns Rustic Roots Farm where she tends honeybees, laying chickens, a fruit orchard and garden, and does woodworking. Jill has lived in the county for over 20 years and has worked with other conservation groups including tree planting organizations.  She holds a master's degree in Forest Ecology and Management from Michigan Technological University. She has experience in forestry, agriculture, and working with a diversity of farmers.