Our Board |
Garden Team |
Sara Stewart
Sara L. Stewart RN MSN, President, Executive Director (officer)574-315-4361 Sara serves as the executive director actively working in administrative, labor, and development activities. Her duties include communications, publications, media coordination, development, public relations, public speaking, volunteer coordination, grant writing, accounts payable and receivable, compliance, and business administration. She serves in conjunction with the garden manager as the hub of communication between the various Unity Garden leaders and collaborators. She also assures the framework of the Unity Gardens is maintained throughout all the gardens and cultivates the collaborative sharing network. She actively secures partners in growing the networks. Her qualifications include 16 plus years in business administration in the community health setting, specializing in third party health care reimbursement and Medicaid. Her recent role as a Professor of Community Health Nursing in conjunction with her research focus on the culture of poverty facilitates her entry into a variety of cultures. Congruent with her role as a public health nurse, Ms Stewart assesses the systems that will promote the health of the community and intervenes through the gardens to assure public access to fresh produce. Don Inks
Don Inks, Treasurer
donaldinks@att.net Don completed his bachelor degree from IUSB with a concentration in accounting and worked for over 2 years in public accounting with Coopers & Lybrand. He moved to South Bend in 1981 and served as the Fiscal Officer for the Department of Redevelopment. He then proceeded to work with the Department of Community and Economical Development for over 28 years and recently served as the Director of the Redevelopment Commission. Don has been instrumental in guiding the Unity Gardens success through his work in aligning the Unity vision with the city plan. Don joined the board in August of 2010 as an expert in fiscal matters and economic planning. Don is retired, but maintains a position on the City of South Bend’s Redevelopment Commission Board of Directors. Tim Emerick
Tim Emerick 574-237-1144
Tim is an attorney with the South Bend office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP where he focuses on assisting businesses of all sizes with corporate and real estate matters. Prior to attending law school, Tim worked as a Certified Public Accountant with Crowe Horwath. Growing up in the very rural community of Argos, Indiana, he has significant experience with gardening and knows first- hand the benefits (and hard work) involved with caring for a garden. Tim joined the Board in 2012 to assist with general business and legal matters. His passion for Unity Gardens was ignited when he learned of the benefits that the gardens bring to our local communities. Marcia McCoy
Marcia A. McCoy, Director (officer) chu190164@aol.com
Marcia has a history rich in vegetable gardening and has completed her Master Gardening Class. Marcia has also volunteered the last number of years as the AARP regional tax coordinator. Marcia has been instrumental in starting the original Franklin Street Community Garden in 2008 and has been hands on labor for the Unity Garden at LaSalle Square, then more recently, the South Field Lake Unity Garden. Her extensive knowledge base on gardening and finance combined with her inquisitive nature makes her uniquely qualified to maintain proper procedures and balance necessary to “grow” the corporation. Her dedication and support Cyndi Kingma |
Mitch Yaciw Garden Manager Mitch Yaciw, Unity Gardens Manager since 2009, first served as a volunteer for over 2 years. Often described as the creative force behind Unity Gardens, Mitch is the “idea guy” behind our framework and the structure of the LaSalle Square Unity Garden. Mitch has helped shape the Unity Gardens into an effective organization, that peaks the interest of many. Committed to the inclusive and educational foci of Unity Gardens, Mitch insisted (and continues to insist) on developing programs that both educate and engage. Mitch has many decades of experience in sales and marketing starting with the family run business; Briteway on the South side of South Bend. In addition to promoting growth in the LaSalle Square Unity Garden, Mitch is also responsible for the Unity Gardens social media, (check out the Instagram too) blog, newsletter, and website materials. Mitch is an Advanced Purdue Master Gardener, a Master Naturalist, Certified in Permaculture, and continues to soak up gardening knowledge.
Hannah Scrafford Team Leader
Hannah has a degree from Cornell in Global Agriculture, a minor in soil. She has a certificate in Permaculture, and is a Master Naturalist. Hannah does everything inside and out of the garden. She teaches classes, runs volunteer groups, presents for Unity Gardens, runs the Farmers Market booth and of course works in the garden. 
Barb Sutton is a South bend native who grew up on the far west side of South Bend. Barb served as one of Unity Gardens' first garden leaders for years before we discovered she is a CPA with over 30 years of experience in non-profit accounting. Her commitment to Unity Gardens and her community is strong as Barb also serves as the president of the North Shore Triangle Neighborhood Association. We are so grateful to have her working as our accountant! In addition, Barb volunteers as a Docent and Usher at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center at Notre Dame.
Tara Barletto has joined Unity Gardens helping work at the Unity Gardens Farmers Market booth. We are so pleased to have her as she is a great ambassador for our products and mission. Come visit her any Tuesday and most Saturdays! Here is what she shares about herself and her commitment to Unity Gardens:
I grew up in Mishawaka and have made a life with my husband, Vince here in South Bend. We have 3 beautiful children, Christian 13 yr, Gianna 5 yr, and Ruby 2 yr, and our dog, Mable Lou. I have enjoyed staying home and raising my children over the past decade. Previously I enjoyed working with 5/3 Bank. In the past few years, I have had the pleasure of volunteering at the Unity Gardens. Instantly I fell in love with the way people can come together, developing a sense of community that was scarce through nutritious and quality foods.. I'm proud to be a part of an organization that has a genuine care for people without expecting something in return. Tara Barletto, Farmers’ Market Sales Associate- 2 years
Ashley Pawlowski, Farmers’ Market Sales Associate- 2 months Daisy Kubiek, Advanced Intern and Farmers Market Sales Associate- 9 months Alma Nunez, Student Intern Olivia Hershberger, Student Intern Taylor Waldron, Summer Intern and Farmers’ Market Sales Associate- 9 months Jonathon Gonzalez, Garden Guide- 4 years Connie Wendt, Farmers’ Market Sales Relief Sales Associate- 1 year |
Cyndi Kingma, cynthia.kingma@gmail.com
Cyndi is an enthusiastic supporter of Unity Gardens and brings expertise in education, curriculum, gardening, and all things involving nature to the board. She has been a regular volunteer at the Unity Gardens for four years, organizing the first market booths, testing herb drying, helping with events, and writing the first children’s curriculum, Inch by Inch, a Collection of Gardening Lessons for all Ages, that Unity Gardens currently uses in their children’s programming. More recently, Cyndi developed the beeswax hand and lip balms that are currently being sold throughout the community. Cyndi holds a Master of Science in Education, is an Advanced Purdue Master Gardener, an Advanced Indiana Master Naturalist, is certified in Permaculture and has completed the Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy
Cyndi is an enthusiastic supporter of Unity Gardens and brings expertise in education, curriculum, gardening, and all things involving nature to the board. She has been a regular volunteer at the Unity Gardens for four years, organizing the first market booths, testing herb drying, helping with events, and writing the first children’s curriculum, Inch by Inch, a Collection of Gardening Lessons for all Ages, that Unity Gardens currently uses in their children’s programming. More recently, Cyndi developed the beeswax hand and lip balms that are currently being sold throughout the community. Cyndi holds a Master of Science in Education, is an Advanced Purdue Master Gardener, an Advanced Indiana Master Naturalist, is certified in Permaculture and has completed the Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy
Connie Wendt
Connie Wendt, 574-261-7405 cwendt2664@aol.com
Connie Wendt has served the Unity Gardens as a dedicated volunteer since the summer of 2010! Her practical expertise regarding Unity Gardens operations helps bring a fresh view of the operational and day to day parameters, goals, and vision of the organization. Connie has helped guide garden leaders, volunteers, and harvesters in the LaSalle Square Unity Garden. In addition, Connie has used her organizational expertise and artistic skills to chronicle the Unity Gardens story in scrap books! Connie’s expertise includes volunteering for a variety of non-profit organizations, special event planning, grant writing, and community service in a broader sense. Connie regularly facilitates Unity Gardens’ growth by serving as the vacation relief garden manager, maintaining the LaSalle Square Unity Garden, guiding volunteers, and meeting Unity Garden leaders for their plants and or supplies.
Connie Wendt has served the Unity Gardens as a dedicated volunteer since the summer of 2010! Her practical expertise regarding Unity Gardens operations helps bring a fresh view of the operational and day to day parameters, goals, and vision of the organization. Connie has helped guide garden leaders, volunteers, and harvesters in the LaSalle Square Unity Garden. In addition, Connie has used her organizational expertise and artistic skills to chronicle the Unity Gardens story in scrap books! Connie’s expertise includes volunteering for a variety of non-profit organizations, special event planning, grant writing, and community service in a broader sense. Connie regularly facilitates Unity Gardens’ growth by serving as the vacation relief garden manager, maintaining the LaSalle Square Unity Garden, guiding volunteers, and meeting Unity Garden leaders for their plants and or supplies.
Cara Lupa
Cara Lupa, 574-286-4579 caralupa@aol.com
From the first Unity Gardens gardening class, Cara Lupa, Purdue Advanced Master Gardener, has been committed to helping Unity Gardens grow in multiple ways; teaching and volunteering at the weekly gardening classes, helping support the kids programs, and in volunteering for the fundraising and community building events. Cara’s degree in science combined with years of employment in management, finance, accounting, human resources, and horticulture, will help add new dimensions of expertise to the organization. In her words; “I am very proud to say that I have been a part of Unity Gardens in some way or another for several years. It is such a great way to get out into the community and help educate people on how to grow their own food. Teaching young children about how to grow food is a way to ensure a successful and sustainable future!”
From the first Unity Gardens gardening class, Cara Lupa, Purdue Advanced Master Gardener, has been committed to helping Unity Gardens grow in multiple ways; teaching and volunteering at the weekly gardening classes, helping support the kids programs, and in volunteering for the fundraising and community building events. Cara’s degree in science combined with years of employment in management, finance, accounting, human resources, and horticulture, will help add new dimensions of expertise to the organization. In her words; “I am very proud to say that I have been a part of Unity Gardens in some way or another for several years. It is such a great way to get out into the community and help educate people on how to grow their own food. Teaching young children about how to grow food is a way to ensure a successful and sustainable future!”
Brent Spring
Chef Brent Spring has been an avid volunteer and supporter of Unity Gardens in a variety of ways; introducing his students to the realities of locally grown food, leading service projects, teaching cooking classes and helping with chef demos and fundraising events. Previously the President/Owner/Executive Chef FEAST banquets and Catering (2001-2012), Chef Brent comes to sere on the Unity Gardens Board of Directors with broad base of expertise in business management, entrepreneurship, and food health guidelines. His business expertise and knowledge of food guidelines will help Unity Gardens’ next stages of growth. Recently, Brent co-hosted a mutual fund raiser: “Perfect Pairings” with Unity Gardens to the delight of both organizations. Chef Brent has demonstrated congruent values to Unity Gardens in implementing service learning and sustainable practices within the hospitality curriculum.