WORKING TOGETHER
Mission
Open & Local strengthens community food systems in the greater Gallatin region thorugh engagement, collaboration, and advocacy.
Network
Open & Local is a cross-sector, grassroots network of professionals and community members. The people involved include farmers, ranchers, chefs, educators, non-profit professionals, food banks, dietitians, grocers, entrepreneurs, writers, researchers, health professionals, students, gardeners… and you?
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee represents diverse sectors of Montana’s food system, bringing together voices from across production, processing, distribution, education, and community organizations. Members serve in an advisory capacity to provide broad, system-level perspectives.
Steering Committee members participate as individuals and are not acting as official representatives of their organizations. Any public statements, decisions, or testimony are made in their personal capacity and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their affiliated organizations.
Thomas Bass, Sustainable Livestock Specialist, MSU Extension
Crystal Beckman, Conservation Program Manager, Gallatin Valley Land Trust
Sam Blomquist, Food & Agriculture Program Director, Prospera
Michal DeChellis, Co-Director, Montana Working Lands Project
Tammy Howard, Agricultural Specialist, NCAT + Nana Louie Farm
Sophie Koopmeiners, Owner, Montana Roots
Amaia Sangroniz, Instructor & Advisor, MSU Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems
Ali Thornton, Program Manager, Gallatin Valley Food Bank
In 2024, the Coalition sustained outreach and engagement activities while initiating strategic planning.
2024 Report: Coalition Activities & Achievements
In 2023, Open & Local continued to emerge from pandemic disruptions, building from the 2022 launch of our first website and the return of Celebration after 2 years, and priority activities.
Former Steering Members
We extend our sincere appreciation to past board members for their hard work and contributions.
Christina Angell, Root Cellar Foods • Nate Brown, Amaltheia Organic Dairy • Peter Brown, Senior Program Officer, AMB West Philanthropies • Kate Burnaby Wright, ecologist, facilitator, consultant • Dylan Fishmann, former Gallatin Valley young farmer (Foxglove Flower Farm) • Ryan Green, Happy Trash Can Curbside Composting • Alison Harmon, VP for Research and Economic Development, MSU • Marjorie Hennessy, formerly with HRDC • Roth Jordan, Corporate Chef and Partner, Montana Ale Works • Julie Kunen, Oatly North America • Becca Kurnick, Edaphix • Stephanie Laporte Potts, former ED Gallatin Valley Farm to School • Lyra Leigh-Nedbor, Child Nutrition Program Manager, HRDC • Lori Petermann, senior staff, Community Food Coop • Susan Quarles, board member, Community Food Co-op • Jacy Rothschiller, Gallatin Valley Botanical • Phil Sarnoff, former ED, Gallatin Valley Farm to School • Mary Stein, Program Leader (retired), MSU Sustainable Food & BioEnergy Systems • Dylan Strike, former Gallatin Valley young farmer (Strike Farms) • Cally Ward, HRDC Storymill Garden Manager • Brendan Weiner, Conservation Director, Gallatin Valley Land Trust •