Cultivating Change Foundation Announces 2022 Award Recipients

Cultivating Change Foundation Announces Annual Award Recipients

The Cultivating Change Foundation announced the recipients of its annual awards at the 2022 Cultivating Change Summit, which was held in October in Washington, D.C.  Through its annual awards program, the Foundation recognizes individuals and organizations that help to advance its mission to value and elevate LGBTQ+ agriculturists through advocacy, education, and community.

Award recipients included:

·      Agriculture Influencer:  Oregon Department of Agriculture

·      Cultivator of Change:  Colby Gregg, Ph.D. Candidate, The Ohio State University, and John Boyes, FSA Farm Program Specialist

·      Cultivating Change Ally:  David Nothmann, Chief Operating Officer, Unfold Bio Inc.

·      Student Scholars:  Luke Badertscher, Murray State University, and Arwen Kaleshefski, Virginia Tech

Read more about the inspiring work of each award recipient below.

Agriculture Influencer

The Agriculture Influencer Award honors great agriculture companies and organizations that are committed to impacting the agriculture industry through intentional diversity and inclusion efforts and for their support of LGBTQ+ agriculturists.  The Agriculture Influencer Award recognizes those who support the Cultivating Change Foundation through sponsorship, engagement, and promotion of the Foundation and its mission.

Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA)

ODA emerged as one of the earliest supporters of the Cultivating Change Foundation under the leadership of former ODA Director, Alexis Taylor.  When the Foundation hosted its first regional reception in Oregon, Director Taylor enthusiastically accepted an invitation to co-host the event.  Director Taylor continued to co-host these annual events throughout her time as ODA Director, and she encouraged ODA employees, Board of Agriculture members, and producers to attend these receptions.

ODA invited the Cultivating Change Foundation to attend a Board of Agriculture meeting and highlight the Foundation’s mission and its importance to the Oregon agriculture industry.  This opportunity sent a message of inclusion to LGBTQ+ agriculturists across the state.

ODA formed a diversity, equity, and inclusion committee to support employees and ensure that ODA’s services are available to diverse stakeholders.  The committee focuses on improving the experience for employees and stakeholders from all underrepresented groups.

ODA has also allowed employees to attend the Cultivating Change Summit.  This benefits other Summit participants by bringing the perspective of a state department of agriculture, while at the same time allowing ODA employees to return to Oregon with new ideas and perspectives.

Kirk Maag, Foundation Chair, observed that “ODA has been a steadfast supporter of the Foundation’s work to value and elevate LGBTQ+ agriculturists.  We value this relationship that dates back to the Foundation’s earliest days, and we look forward to continued collaboration with ODA in the years ahead!”

Cultivator of Change

The Cultivator of Change award recognizes individuals who have played a pivotal role in championing visibility and voice for the LGBTQ+ community within the agriculture industry, has shown a commitment to LGBTQ+ agriculturists, and will use their talents to further the cause of celebrating agriculture and celebrating people.

Colby Gregg

Colby is a former high school agriculture teacher and current Ph.D. Candidate in Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership at The Ohio State University.  Colby’s research, teaching, and service showcase his dedication to representing LGBTQ+ agriculturalists, especially those within agricultural education.

Colby’s research spans the tenets of advocacy and education by utilizing feminist and queer research methodologies, bucking the norms of the system, refusing to maintain a passive voice regarding “normality,” and sharing the experiences of LGBTQ+ agriculturalists.  The findings of his research are of great interest to those in agricultural education seeking to facilitate an inclusive environment by highlighting barriers and recommendations for increased support of underrepresented groups in agriculture, including the LGBTQ+ community.

Colby’s nomination notes that he has “advocated for LGBTQ+ agriculturalists on a local, regional, and national level.”  An OSU professor who nominated Colby for this award said that she has “seen first-hand the important work Colby is doing by sharing his experiences to open the eyes of future agriculture teachers to the ways they can support LGBTQ+ students in their classrooms and the importance of acceptance and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in the agricultural sphere.”

John Boyes

John’s role in agriculture spans multiple facets.  Coming from a ranching family, he knows first-hand the importance of the industry to all Americans and people worldwide.  John grew up on his family’s cattle operation where they raise seed stock Red Angus and Charolais cattle in Northern California, no doubt where his love and passion for farming and ranching began.

John is a dedicated public servant, who works tirelessly to improve the lives of every Oregonian in agriculture.  John currently works for USDA’s Oregon Farm Service Agency (FSA).  He serves not only as an FSA Farm Program Specialist, but also as both the State Communications Coordinator and State Outreach Coordinator.  John has also served on a national task force, developing and delivering the much-anticipated USDA Emergency Relief Program that was delivered nationwide.

As part of John’s work with FSA, he implements agency-wide outreach activities to farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders who can benefit from the Agency’s programs and services with the goal of increasing the participation of stakeholders who have been historically underserved, including communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, women, youth, and those with physical impairments.  In this role, John connects with farmers and ranchers who have not participated in or have received limited benefits from FSA programs that many improve their quality of life, their community, and their environment.

Gail Greenman, State Director for Oregon FSA noted: “John is steadfastly committed to administering all of USDA’s programs with equity and fairness, and serving those in need with the highest dignity. A key step in advancing these principles is rooting out discrimination in any form, including discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

Cultivating Change Ally

The Cultivating Change Ally Award recognizes an ally of the LGBTQ+ community who works to advance the perceptions of LGBTQ+ individuals in agriculture.  An ally is not just someone who accepts LGBTQ+ people, but advocates for issues that serve to value and elevate LGBTQ+ individuals.  An ally utilizes their privilege or position of leadership to benefit the LGBTQ+ community.

David Nothmann

David lives the values of diversity and inclusion throughout his personal and professional experiences. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Unfold Bio Inc., an ag tech startup and has held senior leadership roles in other ag companies, including Terramera and Valent. He consistently challenges his peers to set high standards for inclusion, including the formation of scholarships, mentorship programs, and similar concrete efforts to diversify and strengthen his companies’ missions. He takes a similar approach with his longtime work with Agriculture Future of America, pushing the organization to advance support and inclusion of young LGBTQ+ leaders in agriculture. 

His efforts and leadership extend beyond the corporate offices and board rooms. David personally invests hours of time mentoring many diverse young leaders and students to help them achieve their goals. He has also offered his skills and talents to lift up the work of Cultivating Change Foundation. His commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and a vision for a more diverse and inclusive society flows from his family to his community to his professional life. 

Student Scholars

The Student Scholars Award recognizes students who work to advance the mission of the Cultivating Change Foundation in a collegiate setting or in the community.  The recipients of this award will receive an all-access pass to the 2023 Cultivating Change Summit.

Luke Badertscher

Luke helped start and build the fifth Students for Cultivating Change chapter, and he currently serves as the chapter president.  Luke grew up in rural Kentucky and is a passionate advocate for both agriculture and the LGBTQ+ community.  A fellow student who nominated Luke for the award describes him as someone who “makes friends everywhere he goes and has made many students question their beliefs on the LGBTQ+ community.”

Arwen Kaleschefski

Arwen is the President of the Virginia Tech chapter of Students for Cultivating Change.  A member of the chapter’s leadership team for several years, Arwen has helped develop a strong and meaningful community on Virginia Tech’s campus.  Arwen’s nominator described her as “a friendly presence and a steady leader who cares about her community and industry.”

Cultivating Change Foundation Announces Annual Award Recipients

Today the Cultivating Change Foundation announced the recipients of its annual Cultivator of Change and Cultivating Change Ally awards.  Through its annual awards program, the Foundation recognizes individuals and organizations that help to advance its mission to value and elevate LGBTQ+ agriculturists through advocacy, education, and community.

The co-recipients of the Cultivator of Change award are Justin Gayliard, Senior Manager, Customer Solutions for BASF Agricultural Solutions, and Jenneth Layaou, Director of Campus Enrollment and Retention for Pennsylvania State University and Director of the Pennsylvania School for Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences.  The recipient of the Cultivating Change Ally award is Barbara Coty, Senior Food Scientist at Tyson Foods.  Read more about the inspiring work of each award recipient below.  Next month, the Foundation will announce the organization receiving the annual Agriculture Influencer award.

Cultivator of Change

The Cultivator of Change award recognizes individuals who have played a pivotal role in championing visibility and voice for the LGBTQ+ community within the agriculture industry, has shown a commitment to LGBTQ+ agriculturists, and will use their talents to further the cause of celebrating agriculture and celebrating people.

Justin Gayliard

From the start of his professional career in agriculture, Justin knew he had to choose.  He could choose to maintain his anonymity at work as a gay employee, or he could choose to change a company culture that was less than welcoming to members of the LGBTQ+ community.  Justin chose the latter, and in doing so, he began a nearly 20-year journey of advocating for LGBTQ+ employees at major agricultural companies.  His advocacy has inspired others with the courage to self-identify in the workplace as LGBTQ+ and has helped to change company culture.

As one example of Justin’s leadership, he created the first-ever chapter of ALLchemie at the North America headquarters of BASF Agricultural Solutions.  ALLchemie serves as a safe space for LGBTQ+ employees to live authentically at work without fear, but equally important, ALLchemie helps cultivate LGBTQ+ allies at BASF.  These allies have been pivotal in amplifying LGBTQ+ voices and creating a more inclusive workplace.  In ALLchemie’s first year in 2012, it grew to 100 members at one site.  And by 2016, ALLchemie had over 250 members.  Justin then helped other BASF sites start local ALLchemie employee resource groups (ERGs).  Today, there are more than 12 ALLchemie ERGs throughout BASF.

Justin’s vision and passion helped ALLchemie achieve its goals of receiving management support to drive a culture of change at BASF; creating a corporate culture where ALLchemie employees feel welcomed and valued; encouraging active membership participation; and ensuring a committed ALLchemie leadership team.  ALLchemie has become critical in helping BASF recruit, retain, and develop LGBTQ+ talent at the company and embrace a more diverse and inclusive environment.  “ALLchemie has had such a positive impact on a broad group of people because it allows them to bring their full potential to the workplace which exponentially impacts others around them,” said Justin.  “If people are able to bring their true self and share that passion, it spreads throughout the workplace, which makes us all more successful.” 

Cultivating Change Foundation Director Bill Hendrix commented, “I first worked with Justin when he was at Dow AgroSciences.  He was an amazing leader and organizer who stepped up to run the LGBTQ+ network there at Dow AgroSciences.  His honest and observable leadership had real impact especially within the field-based and remote employees.  After his move to BASF, he did amazing things to organize ALLchemie and make it into one of the recognized standard-bearers within the industry.  Now, in Canada and with his amazing family, he is doing the same for that region and bringing visible representation to an underrepresented area.”  We’re thrilled to recognize Justin as a Cultivator of Change!

Jenneth Layaou

Jenneth has served as advisor to Penn State Students for Cultivating Change (SCC) since 2016.  SCC at Penn State was the first collegiate affiliate of the Cultivating Change Foundation, and Jenneth has been part of SCC since the beginning.  To form a student group and receive funding at Penn State, the student founders needed an advisor, and Jenneth enthusiastically stepped into that role.  Jenneth helped SCC organize programming, such as hosting Monsanto (now Bayer), Corteva Agriscience, and other agriculture industry employers on campus.  She also supported SCC members in professional and leadership development.  According to current and former SCC members, “[Jenneth] saw her role as advisor to encourage student-led success, not run the organization herself.  Without her contribution, the Penn State chapter would not be the success it is today.  And without the Penn State chapter’s success and outreach, the [national] chapter program would not be the same.”

The SCC students and alumni who nominated Jenneth explained that, during her time as advisor to SCC, “[Jenneth] has made an impact not only on student members, but students across the [national] chapter network, and the Pennsylvania agriculture sector as a whole.”  Kurtis Miller, an SCC alumni who now helps advise chapters in the national chapter network, emphasized that Jenneth’s leadership served as a foundation for the success of the national SCC affiliate program.

Jenneth’s commitment to diversity and inclusion extends beyond SCC.  Current and former SCC members explain that Jenneth has “foster[ed] a welcoming culture for LGBTQ+ students across the Penn State campus system.  As Director of the Pennsylvania School for Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences (PSEAS), she has personally cultivated an environment that ensures all students are made to feel welcome.”  The PSEAS is designed to immerse graduating high school seniors in the agricultural sciences, and Jenneth’s intentional inclusion helps to ensure that LGBTQ+ students feel welcome in the program.  Jenneth also serves as a member of the College of Agricultural Sciences Diversity Coordination Council.  One purpose of that council is to improve diversity in staff and faculty in the college.  Through her role, Jenneth helps to ensure the staff and faculty of the college better represent the diversity of the Penn State student body, including LGBTQ+ students.

“Jenneth Layaou is exactly the type of person this award intends to recognize,” said Kirk Maag, Chair of the Cultivating Change Foundation Board.  “She has played a pivotal role in championing visibility and voice for LGBTQ+ students at Penn State and now at several campuses across the country.  The SCC affiliate program would not be what it is today without Jenneth’s unwavering commitment to value and elevate LGBTQ+ students in agriculture.”

Past Recipients:  Mark Poeschl (2019); Ellen Thompson (2018); and Karen Ross (2017).

Cultivating Change Ally

The Ally Award recognizes an ally of the LGBTQ+ community who works to advance the perceptions of LGBTQ+ individuals in agriculture.  An ally is not just someone who accepts LGBTQ+ people, but advocates for issues that serve to value and elevate LGBTQ+ individuals.  An ally utilizes their privilege or position of leadership to benefit the LGBTQ+ community.

Barbara Coty

Since joining Tyson Foods in 2013, Barbara has been a member of the Pride Network—an LGBTQ+ focused business resource group at Tyson Foods.  In the Pride Network, Barbara has held several positions, including Steering Committee Member, Treasurer, Community Outreach Lead, and Chairperson.  According to Barbara, the Pride Network’s mission “truly emulates how I feel as an individual about bridging the gap between the LGBTQ+ and agricultural communities.”  That mission is to “raise expectations for how much good diversity and inclusion can do through advocacy, outreach and allyship that fosters a welcoming and authentic culture for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.”

Through Barbara’s leadership, Tyson Foods has been a consistent partner of the Cultivating Change Foundation since 2017.  Tyson Foods’ support includes direct monetary support and in-kind contributions of Tyson Foods branded products.  The company has also sponsored employees who have attended the Cultivating Change Summit.  Tyson Foods employees, including Barbara, have been featured speakers at past Summits.

Beyond her support for the Cultivating Change Foundation, Barbara is proud of her work with the Center on Halsted in Chicago—another partner of Tyson’s Pride Network.  The Center on Halsted is “the Midwest’s most comprehensive community center dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and wellbeing of the [LGBTQ+] people of Chicagoland.”  In particular, the Silver Fork culinary and job training program is one of Barbara’s passion projects.  This 9-12 week program is free for students and was designed for un- or under-employed LGBTQ+ individuals and allies.  Students undergo intensive culinary training, personal and professional development, job readiness, and career counseling.  Barbara was instrumental in securing a $25,000 grant from Tyson Foods to Silver Fork in 2017.  That partnership has continued to expand and evolve over time, with at least $100,000 in grants awarded to date.

According to Barbara, “[b]eing an ally in a position of leadership representing the largest meat company in the United States allows [her] not only the unique opportunity but the responsibility to further advocate and advance LGBTQ+ agriculturists.”  Cultivating Change Foundation Director Grant Ermis commented that “Barbara Coty has been a steadfast advocate for progress and growth within the Tyson Foods diversity, equity, and inclusion space.  She is an example for all Cultivating Change Foundation stakeholders and constantly helps advance our mission to value and elevate LGBTQ+ agriculturists through advocacy, education, and community.  We are proud of her participation in the Cultivating Change Foundation and look forward to continued work into the future.”

Past Recipients: Melisa Augusto (2019); Stacy Bushgen, Tino Rossi, Katherine Soule, and Meghan Walter (2018).

Cultivating Change Foundation Announces New Committee and Financial Partner to Support and Grow Collegiate Affiliate Program

On February 22, 2021, the Cultivating Change Foundation Board of Directors announced the establishment of a Collegiate Program Committee.  The Foundation’s Collegiate Ambassador Program (CAP) was founded in 2016 at Penn State with just nine students.  Since the formation of the first collegiate affiliate chapter, the CAP’s alumni network has grown to almost 20, with approximately 50 current active members.

In the time since these chapters formed, the respective chapters have proven to be successful in their mission: to promote visibility and inclusion of LGBTQ+ students in the agricultural college at their university.  In doing so, the student leaders organized social events to ensure LGBTQ+ students in the organization had a safe, welcoming space.  They also planned professional development events to provide important opportunities for members.  These professional development events were often executed alone, but sometimes in collaboration with external groups.

CAP alumni Coleman Simpson and Kurtis Miller developed the frameworks for the Collegiate Program Committee.  Simpson and Miller saw an opportunity to better support the CAP through active engagement and leadership from alumni and the Foundation’s Board of Directors.  According to Simpson, “it’s been great to receive the support of the Foundation, and I’m excited for the impacts we’ll create. There is a lot of energy around supporting LGBTQ+ students in ag, and Kurtis and I are excited to capitalize on that energy.”  Miller explained that “with CAP at its current size and continuing to grow, it is imperative to provide support for these students. I am so excited to support the Foundation in its endeavor to expand and support this program through direct chapter support.”

Foundation Board Chair Kirk Maag stated, “the Foundation’s Board of Directors enthusiastically adopted and will support the work of the Collegiate Program Committee.  We appreciate the leadership from CAP alumni like Coleman and Kurtis, who are working to advance our mission to value and elevate LGBTQ+ agriculturists—particularly as it relates to LGBTQ+ agriculturists on college campuses.”

Collegiate Program Committee Role 

The Collegiate Program Committee will serve as an advisory committee to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.  The committee will recommend approval of affiliation for chapters to the Board of Directors, support activities of and coordinate the various chapters in an effort to ensure the growth of individual chapters and the success of the national collegiate program. 

New Financial Partner

In other exciting news, a new financial partner (Ag First Credit) has earmarked part of its support to benefit collegiate program building efforts. 

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Cultivating Change Foundation Thanks Hollan for Service as Executive Director, Welcomes New Board Member, Officers, and Interim Executive Director

San Francisco (June 25, 2020) – Today, the Cultivating Change Foundation is announcing a series of changes in leadership at the Foundation. Earlier this year, the directors accepted the resignation of Marcus Hollan from the role of Executive Director and thanked him for his selfless efforts to advance the Foundation’s mission.

“The past five years have been very rewarding, and truly a life-changing experience,” said Hollan. “I've enjoyed working to bring the mission (of the Foundation) to life.”

Marcus not only served as the Foundation’s Executive Director since its inception, but he and Jesse Lee Eller also are the co-founders of the Cultivating Change Foundation.

The Foundation recently appointed Gary Brackett to the position of Interim Executive Director. Brackett brings to the Foundation a history of successful nonprofit management and will help to guide the Foundation through a strategic planning process, including the approach to filling the Executive Director position on a permanent basis.

The Board of Directors also elected new officers. Kirk Maag was elected to serve as president, J.J. Jones was elected to the position of treasurer, and Melisa Augusto was elected to serve as secretary.

“The Foundation has grown far beyond our initial expectations,” said Immediate Past President Greg Van Dyke. “I am thrilled to pass the gavel to Kirk and the other leaders while continuing to serve as a director.”

The Board of Directors also voted unanimously to add Bill Hendrix as a Director. Hendrix currently serves as the vice president of technology at Valent USA. Prior to joining Valent USA, he spent more than 28 years at Dow AgroSciences in various technology leadership positions.

“The Foundation’s mission to value and elevate LGBTQ agriculturists remains as relevant and important as ever,” noted President Kirk Maag.  “For five years, the Foundation has advanced that mission under the steady leadership of Marcus as Executive Director and Greg as President.  I look forward to collaborating with Gary and our Board to build on our past success and accelerate the advancement of our mission through expanded programming and an increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.  As we reflect on the Foundation’s first five years, we’re more excited than ever for what’s in store for the next five!”

Click here to view the entire Board of Directors and to learn more about the Cultivating Change Foundation.

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The mission of the Cultivating Change Foundation is to value and elevate LGBTQ+ agriculturists through advocacy, education, and community.

We Stand With You

With the beginning of June comes the celebration of Pride Month. This celebration should include not only the recent advances for LGBTQ+ rights in local, national, and global communities, but should also reflect on the history of the struggle for equality. In recent years, and quite starkly in recent days, the disparity that people of color, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, experience has become even clearer. Our country has avoided the necessary conversation about systemic racism for far too long. This must change. The fight for equality is inextricably tied to public assembly, demonstrations, protests, and the exercise of our First Amendment rights. The free exercise of these rights shapes our continued pursuit of equality.

We are reminded of Marsha P. Johnson, the brave activist who embodied the intersectionality of the LGBTQ+ experience and racial justice. Her steadfast and courageous activism catapulted LGBTQ+ rights to the national stage, paving the way for the continued fight for equality. Were it not for Johnson and her fellow activists, primarily our siblings of color, who stood against police brutality at the Stonewall Inn in 1969, the course of history for LGBTQ+ citizens could have been drastically different.

Our communities are hurting. Communities of color face continued police brutality and oppression because of the color of their skin. Demands for justice cannot focus solely on one identity or population. Those who have it must exercise their privilege to offer support and affirmation to the struggles facing communities across our country. We must all stand in solidarity with those exercising their right to protest these injustices and those who are actively committed to rebuilding communities free from oppressive and racist mindsets, actions, and systems. True change cannot be achieved without direct, collective action; the efforts of protesters are crucial to creating that change.

The Cultivating Change Foundation supports those working to end police brutality and curb systemic racism. Each of us has a role to play in supporting these efforts. We can do this in many ways: protest, volunteer, donate, listen, learn, educate, and vote. Whatever role you choose, let’s work together to cultivate lasting change.