​Core Staff

Sara L. Stewart, RN, MSN

Executive Director, Board President

In 2008, Sara saw the need for fresh, barrier-free food in our community and decided to grow a garden. This spout of an idea has grown and spread throughout our region providing opportunities, resources, and life-long relationships. Her passion for connecting people to healthy food and each other keeps her striving to make this "outrageous" idea the standard everywhere. 

Mitch Yaciw

Director of Operations

Mitch is the “idea guy” behind our framework and structure at the main garden. From his beginning as a volunteer in 2009 to his critical role today, Mitch has helped shape the Unity Gardens into an effective organization that engages the community through educational programming, public events, and product marketing.  He is also a walking encyclopedia of growing know-how. 

Micah Niespodziany

Welcome Center Manager & Event Coordinator

Micah started at Unity Gardens as a local garden leader sharing her knowledge from growing up on a farm and tending vegetable and flower gardens. A former educator, Micah works with the interns and employees to empower their problem-solving and critical thinking skills in the garden. Most of all, she just loves fruits, veggies, flowers, and trees and sharing their beauty and benefits with others. 

Emily Mann

Farm Manager

Emily started with Unity Gardens in 2015, leading the garden at IUSB and has been working on organic farms since graduating. In Southern Oregon, they managed a network of large gardens that supplied area food banks. Emily uses their unique experience with non-profit program management, sustainability, and organic production farming to help further our mission.

Katie Lane

Open Garden Coordinator

A former intern, Katie graduated with a degree in political sciences and sustainability and found her home at the main Unity Garden with us. Katie has come into her own here learning about farming in the Midwest, leading volunteer groups, and studying up on every type of veggie she encounters.   

Shay Chupp

Youth Programming and Development

Shay studied at an urban garden in Colorado focused on reducing food waste and increasing access to healthy food for all.  It was there that they first discovered their passion for food rescue, fresh-food availability, and community building.  Upon their return to Indiana, Shay found that opportunity again at Unity Gardens after completing an internship with us.  

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Board of Directors

Sara L. Stewart

Marcia McCoy

Don Inks

Tim Emerick

Cara Lupa

Brent Spring

Cynthia Kingma

Vince Barletto

Barbara Sutton