Megan McGuffey

Program Coordinator | mmcguffey@familyservicelincoln.org

Dr. Megan McGuffey is engaged in local food work across the state of Nebraska. She has served on the Nebraska Legislature’s Community Garden Task Force, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Food Policy Council, and the Local Foods Coordinating Council and Share Our Table in the Omaha-Council Bluffs region.

Megan earned her Master of Public Administration in 2013 and her Ph.D. in 2020 from the UNO School of Public Administration. Her research focuses on food and farm policy broadly and her dissertation looked at the role of food policy networks in the local government policy process. She has co-authored food assessments for regional and statewide food policy organizations.

Amy Gerdes

Operations Supervisor | agerdes@familyservicelincoln.org

Amy developed an appreciation for environmental advocacy during her undergraduate studies at Nebraska Wesleyan University. She realized her passion for sustainable agriculture while on AmeriCorps Volunteer assignment with the Community Crops Farm Program in 2012. She later transitioned to working with the Garden Program as Garden Technical Assistant. During her past experience with Crops, she helped produce vegetables for the CSA, organized and taught classes, and provided individual assistance to Community Gardeners. She holds a biology degree, and has been a gardener at 5 different Community Garden sites throughout Lincoln!

She is particularly interested in regenerative agriculture, ethnobotany, medicinal plants, and the role of community gardens in increasing food security and preserving agricultural traditions. Outside of gardening, she loves exploring wilderness with her cattle dog, Dixie, cooking with friends and family, and metal music.

 

Megan Baker

Garden Program Specialist | mbaker@familyservicelincoln.org

Megan Baker joined the Community Crops team in October 2019. Megan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution, with an emphasis on Environmental Security and is inspired by working alongside and serving all members of our diverse Lincoln community. She appreciates the opportunity to share her love of growing, preparing and sharing food passed down through generations in her family and enjoy time in nature.

Shahab Bashar

Farm Program Specialist | sbashar@familyservicelincoln.org

Shahab has worked as an interpreter and translator for many years supporting the Yazidi community. He is fluent in English, Arabic, and Kurdish.