Ron Branch

Douglas County

West Central

Ron is the owner and operator of Berry Ridge Farm and has been a dedicated member of Minnesota's farmers' market community for more than 38 years.

Throughout his career, he has built lasting relationships with customers while providing fresh, locally grown products and supporting the growth of farmers' markets as an important part of local food systems. His decades of experience have given him a deep understanding of farming, direct marketing, and the vital role farmers' markets play in connecting producers and consumers.

In addition to farming, Ron is an active community leader. He serves as Treasurer of the Alexandria Lions Club and President of the Douglas County Master Gardeners, where he helps promote horticultural education, community service, and environmental stewardship.

Through his work in agriculture and volunteer leadership, Ron continues to make a lasting impact on his community and Minnesota's local food landscape.

Heidi Eger

Fillmore County

South East

Heidi Eger (she/her) raises 100% grass-fed lamb and mutton at Radicle Heart Farm in Canton, MN.  She believes in the power of good food to foster connections, strong communities, and a vibrant local food system.

Over the years, she's vended at six different markets and worked as staff at three more. Heidi is a Farm Finance trainer with MFMA’s Grow Your Green Program and a Women Food and Ag Network mentor. She is an active member of Land Stewardship Project and Practical Farmers of Iowa.  

When not at the farm or a farmers' market, Heidi shares her love of cooking through classes across the state and practices the Nordic folk art of Skinnfell (sewing stamped sheepskins).

Laura Fredrickson-Gosewisch, Treasurer

Ramsey County

Metro

Laura is the Executive Director of the West Side Farmers Market and owner/operator of Vital Ground Farm, where she is committed to growing healthy food, supporting local agriculture, and building strong community connections through farmers' markets. Through her leadership, she works to strengthen opportunities for farmers, increase food access, and foster a vibrant local food economy.

Laura is an active advocate for agriculture and local food systems, serving as a member of the Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Farm Bureau, and the national Farmers Market Coalition.

She is also a founding member of GROWS (Growing Resilience on the West Side), a collaborative initiative focused on strengthening food systems, community resilience, and economic opportunity on Saint Paul's West Side. Laura serves on GROWS' rotating Steering Committee and is a member of the Land Access Committee for the Twin Cities Agricultural Land Trust (TCALT), where she helps advance efforts to preserve farmland and improve land access for current and future farmers.

Matthew Jedlicka

Beltrami County

North West

Matthew is the Founder and Farm Director of Ritual Roots Nonprofit Organic Farm, a regenerative agriculture and food sovereignty initiative dedicated to community healing, environmental stewardship, cultural revitalization, and Tribal-led land management. Through his work, he helps advance sustainable food systems that honor Indigenous knowledge, strengthen community connections to land, and promote long-term ecological health.

In addition to his leadership at Ritual Roots, Matthew serves as the Economic Development, Community Revitalization, and Marketing Director for the City of Blackduck, where he works to support local businesses, strengthen community assets, and advance economic opportunities for the region. He previously founded and led the Department of Agriculture for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, helping establish programs and initiatives that supported agricultural development, food sovereignty, and economic growth within the Tribal community.

Matthew brings a wealth of experience in agriculture, economic development, community engagement, and Indigenous food systems, and is deeply committed to creating resilient communities through stewardship of land, culture, and local economies.

Sarah Larsen, Secretary

Dakota County 

Metro

Sarah is the Recreation Programmer for Eagan Parks and Recreation and has been a dedicated member of the Eagan Market Fest team since 2010.

After several years supporting the market's growth and operations, she became Market Manager in 2016. In her role, Sarah oversees one of the region's premier community markets and events, helping connect residents with local farmers, food producers, artisans, and small businesses.

Through her leadership, Eagan Market Fest has become a vibrant gathering place that celebrates local food, community engagement, and economic opportunity.

Sarah is passionate about creating welcoming public spaces and strengthening community connections through farmers' markets and local events.

Bonnie Muellerleile, President

Hennepin County

Metro

Bonnie is the Recreation Coordinator for the City of Richfield and has served as the Richfield Farmers Market Manager for the past nine years, helping grow the market into a vibrant community gathering space that supports local farmers, food producers, and small businesses.

Prior to her work in Richfield, she managed the Minnetonka Farmers Market for five years, bringing more than a decade of farmers market leadership and experience to Minnesota's local food community.

Bonnie currently serves as President of the Minnesota Farmers' Market Association (MFMA) Board of Directors, where she helps guide and strengthen farmers' markets across the state.

She also volunteers with Food Co-lab, a Bloomington-Richfield hunger relief coalition focused on improving food access and addressing food insecurity.

Bonnie is passionate about building strong communities through local food, collaboration, and public service.

Tessa Parks, Vice President

Rice County

South Central

Tessa is the co-owner and operator of W.T. Farms, where she is committed to sustainable agriculture and strengthening local food systems.

In addition to farming, she serves as the Conservation Agriculture Program Coordinator for Clean River Partners, working with farmers and communities to implement conservation practices that improve soil health, water quality, and long-term farm resilience.

Tessa is also President of the Rice County Farmers Union, where she advocates for family farmers and rural communities, and is a cohort member of Sharing Our Roots Farm, a leadership and land access program supporting the next generation of farmers.

Angelica Pena

Stearns County

Central

Angelica is a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher serving middle and high school students in Melrose, Minnesota, where she helps equip young people with practical life skills, nutrition knowledge, and career readiness.

A former SNAP-Ed Educator with University of Minnesota Extension, she has a strong background in community nutrition, food access, and local food systems.

In addition to her work in education, Angelica partners with CLUES and Milestones to deliver bilingual Cottage Foods trainings, helping aspiring food entrepreneurs gain the knowledge and resources needed to start and grow their businesses.

Leticia Rodriguez

Nobles County

South West

Leticia (Letty) is a longtime advocate for food access, community education, and local food systems.

Prior to her retirement, she served as a SNAP-Ed Educator with University of Minnesota Extension, where she helped connect families to healthy, locally grown foods through nutrition education and community outreach. During her tenure, she played a key role in launching a new farmers market, expanding SNAP access for market shoppers, and organizing bilingual Spanish-English Cottage Foods trainings to support aspiring food entrepreneurs.

Letty continues her commitment to community service as Secretary of the Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council Board of Directors, where she helps advance programs that strengthen families and communities across the region.

Jane Windsperger

Kanabec County

North East

Jane is a farmer, community leader, and advocate for emerging and immigrant farmers in Minnesota.

She owns and operates her own farm and currently serves as Vice President of the Minnesota African Immigrant Farmers Association, where she works to support African immigrant farmers through education, networking, and access to resources and opportunities.

Jane is also an active member of the Minnesota Farmers Union and serves on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Emerging Farmers Working Group, helping shape policies and programs that support the success and sustainability of beginning, immigrant, and historically underserved farmers.

Through her leadership and advocacy, Jane is committed to strengthening local food systems and expanding opportunities for the next generation of farmers.