New Faces, Fresh Perspectives: Meet Our New Board Members!
At The Good Acre, we are constantly inspired by individuals who share our passion for building a sustainable, community-focused food system. Today, we are delighted to introduce you to four remarkable individuals who have recently joined our board of directors: Tj Turner, Matt Hackler, Tim Aldrich, and Winona Lakin. Each brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and values that align seamlessly with our mission. Let’s get to know them a little better!
Tj Turner: Capturing Moments, Shaping Communities
Tj Turner, a talented photographer and content creator, has been documenting our farm share program and events in our warehouse, bringing our mission to life through his lens since 2018. With 15 years of experience running his own photography business and working with a wide range of clients, including the Minnesota Twins and Arctic Cat, Tj’s creative talents are a welcome addition to our board.
Tj’s passion for sustainability and local food has made him deeply engaged with The Good Acre. His experience in marketing, video production, and finance equips him with a valuable perspective on our organization’s growth and impact. But there’s more to Tj than his professional achievements. His formative years were spent between the White Earth Reservation in Northern Minnesota and Southwestern Wisconsin, where he cultivated a profound connection to the land. Activities such as hunting, fishing, maple sugaring, and wild rice harvesting ingrained in him a deep respect for nature and an intimate understanding of the importance of preserving the environment. Tj’s love for good food, his dedication to preserving the environment, and his desire to uplift communities make him a great fit for our board.
Matt Hackler: Advocating for Equity in the Food System
Matt Hackler’s career has been devoted to the nonprofit sector, with a specific focus on hunger relief. With over nine years of experience, including his role at Feeding America where he led national food bank network capacity building, Matt is well-versed in grassroots and systems-level work. His fundraising expertise and commitment to equity make him an invaluable asset to our board.
Matt’s involvement with The Good Acre aligns seamlessly with his values of learning, building relationships, and creating equitable opportunities. His vision for expanding market opportunities for local farmers and enhancing community engagement resonates deeply with our mission. When he’s not working, Matt enjoys the theater, outdoor activities, and spending quality time with his golden retriever, Barnaby.
Tim Aldrich: Nurturing Sustainability and Community Impact
Tim Aldrich’s journey with The Good Acre began as a CSA member, drawn to our mission’s values of sustainability and support for local farmers. With over a decade of finance experience in various roles, including his current role as a Finance Manager with General Mills, Tim brings a wealth of financial expertise to our board. Tim’s passion for sustainability and local food sources aligns perfectly with our mission. His belief in creating opportunities for food to have a strong environmental, ethical, and social impact on the community mirrors our own values.
In his free time, Tim enjoys outdoor activities, exploring new culinary experiences, and instilling a love for fresh food in his young son.
Winona Lakin: Fostering Wellness and HR Expertise
Winona Lakin’s journey to The Good Acre was inspired by her personal transformation through healthier eating. As an HR professional with over 20 years of experience, Winona has helped individuals and organizations achieve meaningful goals. Her dedication to aligning and developing people resources perfectly complements our mission. Winona’s culinary knowledge, particularly in finding the best plant-based versions of favorite foods, and her passion for recreating traditional comfort foods with a vegetable-forward twist bring a unique perspective to our board. She believes in the power of fresh, well-raised food to nourish our bodies and communities.
We are thrilled to welcome Tj, Matt, Tim, and Winona as our newest board members at The Good Acre. Their diverse backgrounds, deep-seated values, and unwavering commitment to our mission have already helped us advance our goal of nurturing a thriving, sustainable, and community-centered food system in so many ways. We look forward to the fresh perspectives and contributions they bring to our organization, as we continue to grow and make a positive impact on our community.
These four join our board which includes Board Chair Beth Fritcher, Board Treasurer Huong Nguyen, Beth Dooley, Mark Seeley, Megan Morgan, Tina May, Dave Frederickson, and Harvey Rupert. To learn more about our board and to apply, please visit the board page of our website!
