Our Team
Andrew Linker
Becky Phillips
Scarlett Fuller
Mallory Pendleton
LeAnn Rutledge
Lindsey Mann
Emily Lewis
Brandon Rumiser
Rachelle Howie
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Contact: Board@GMFN.ORG
Mallory Pendleton, Board President. August 2023 - Present
Mallory spent most of her childhood around the freshwater lakes and meandering rivers in the south, which sparked her interest in the great outdoors. Mallory works at Chattahoochee Riverkeeper where she has seen how farming practices can impact water quality for better or worse. She enjoys being on the GMFN Board of Directors to help share the importance of practicing and supporting water-wise farming practices and meeting local farmers.
Becky Phillips, Board Member. August 2023 - Present
After spending some time farming and experiencing first-hand the reality of the hard work and long hours it takes, Becky developed a deep passion for supporting local farmers. She acknowledges the benefits of having fresh, local food for herself and her family and was a natural fit to become a part of Georgia Mountains Farmers Network. Whether it's exploring the farmers market, visiting local farms, hiking, or gardening, Becky tries to spend as much time in the outdoors with her children as she can!
LeAnn Rutledge, Board Member. November 2023 - Present
LeAnn has a strong interest in how ecosystems work and has served in various nonprofit roles, as a youth educator, and within the conservation sector. She is based in Gainesville, GA and is Executive Director at Oconee River Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) with a B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Her free time is spent volunteering, enjoying national parks, reading, and playing tennis.
Scarlett Fuller, Board Secretary. August 2023 - Present
Scarlett grew up beneath the pines and between the rows of corn, cotton and peanuts of South Georgia. Seeing and tasting the vast difference between the moonscapes of monoculture, industrial farming and small scale, holistic farming, she journeyed into the world of homesteading, local organic farming and permaculture and has never looked back. She enjoys spending time outdoors growing food and caring for her horse, goats, chickens, ducks and pigs at Seventh Fire Farm. Scarlett believes the garden can heal people, hearts, and the world. She is passionate about local food systems and supporting our local farmers through the Farmers Network. “How do we save the world? One garden at a time. It begins in our backyard. What if… everyone grew gardens instead of grass?”
Emily Lewis, Board Treasurer. February 2024 - Present
Emily was raised by a family of gardeners and loves growing, cooking, and sharing food with others. She is an aspiring market gardener and enjoys making nature inspired craft products. Her 1-year-old son is her favorite garden buddy!
Lindsey Mann, Board Member. April 2024 - Present
Lindsey Sita Mann has been stewarding ecological landscapes for nearly 20 years, via her firm Sustenance Design! Her expertise in perennial food and medicine systems, native plants, responsible water management, and meadowscaping serves diverse communities and individuals. Lindsey is the owner of Stellar Roots Herb Farm in Tiger, GA, where she grows Biodynamic medicinal herbs and offers classes along with on-farm experiences.
Brandon Rumiser, Board Member. January 2025 - Present
A tech entrepreneur, outdoor adventurer, and community advocate with a passion for sustainability. As the owner and Chief Technology Officer of The API Guys, he helps small businesses with custom technology solutions. With a background in Environmental Spatial Analysis, Brandon is excited to better support local food systems and sustainable business practices through blending his boundless energy and technical expertise with hands-on problem-solving.
STAFF, KEY CONTRACTORS, AND VOLUNTEERS
Andrew Linker, Executive Director
Contact: andrew@gmfn.org
With a decade experience in nonprofits, environmental education, and agriculture, Andrew is a dedicated advocate for more sustainable, equitable, and local food systems. He enjoys learning how to grow food for market at Humble Vine Farm in Cleveland, GA while also tackling the greater needs within the farming community. Andrew has a B.S. in Environmental Studies from University of North Georgia.
Brittany Sumner, Programs Coordinator. September 2024 - Present
Contact: brittany@gmfn.org
Rachelle Howie, Bookkeeper
Contact: admin@gmfn.org
Rachelle is based in Gainesville and has over a decade of nonprofit finance experience and a passion for local food and sustainable living.
April Alexander, Northeast Georgia Locally Grown Site Manager
Contact: rabun.locallygrown@gmfn.org
Rabun County Site Manager since August, 2021. With experience in retail, farming, marketing, and farmers markets, April manages weekly operation of Rabun County Grower Dropoff and Customer Pickup and has been an true asset in building community in Rabun County!
Current Program Volunteers! (updated 12/12/24)
Annaclair Kiger, Ron Bourne, Helen O'Brien, Cassie Dale, Diana Hollingsworth, Carol Hershey, Melinda and Mike Oliver, Connelly Tomasovich, Blair Michal, Lee Lewis, Derek Straat, Rosemary Benfield, Katherine Meyers
Service Area
Georgia: Hall, Habersham, Rabun, Jackson, Madison, Banks, Franklin, Stephens, Towns, White, Lumpkin, Dawson, Forsyth South Carolina: Oconee and North Carolina: Macon. Watersheds - Upper Chattahoochee, Tugaloo, Broad, Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, Etowah, Toccoa, and Upper Oconee
Georgia Mountains Farmers Network
contact@gmfn.org | 770.530.3287
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1765, Clarkesville, GA 30523
Physical Address: 109 W Morgan St, Clarkesville, GA 30523 (by appointment only)