Who makes Project Grow grow?
Managing Director
Joanie Stovall
Day-to-day business and management is carried out by Joanie Stovall, our trusty managing director. She'll be the one responding to all your general inquiries.
Board of Directors
Supporting the director is the member-elected, volunteer Board of Directors. This isn't just any Board: the Project Grow Board is a "working" Board, meaning that they roll up their sleeves and work hard to keep the organization thriving.
Volunteers
We have a vibrant community of people who take on a variety of projects and tasks. This includes Site Coordinators at each garden site who serve as a vital link between gardeners and the organization.
Emma Lawton
Board President
I have been gardening with Project Grow for five years at County Farm. I moved back to Ann Arbor during the pandemic, and I have really appreciated what a welcoming community Project Grow offers. Our community gardens are a great way to promote healthy and sustainable living. As co-chair of Project Grow’s education committee, I am excited to give back to our gardening community.
Joe Schutte
Vice President
Joe has been gardening since his early teenage years. He joined the board in 2017 & is a MSU Extension Advanced Master Gardener & member of Washtenaw County Master Gardeners. He is the site coordinator at our Scio, Vestergaard, & Kiwanis sites.
His first love is heirloom tomatoes, but he always includes hybrid tomatoes in his garden as they are better for food donation.
Jennie Williams
Secretary
Jennie has gardened with Project Grow for nearly 10 years: she is a site coordinator at the Northside Community Garden and new to the board in 2024.
When not working and volunteering, Jennie enjoys all aspects of being outside; hiking, foraging, gazing up at tree tops and mountain peaks to peeping into tiny holes left by critters in tree stumps.
Dave Corsa
Treasurer
Dave has been a Project Grow gardener with his wife, Ann, for many years at Zion and Lakewood. He is a retired teacher from Eberwhite Elementary School where he works on the school garden and coordinates the flow of compostable materials from the lunchroom to an onsite vermiculture bin. Dave is a Washtenaw Master Composter.
Annie Broderick
CEC Director
Having retired from teaching, I have found more time to work with Project Grow and am excited to participate on the PG Board. I am the site coordinator at Food Gatherers and have been gardening there for about 5 years.
I love the community at the garden and all the new gardeners I have met. I’ve learned a ton and love getting my hands into the soil. I am a Washtenaw Master Composter and help administer the current program.
Suzan Hatch
Seed Share & Dahlia Sale Coordinator
In 1972, the same year Project Grow was established, my father planted a huge organic garden in our backyard. I never forgot what an opportunity and gift that was. My husband and I have been gardeners with Project Grow at Greenview and Vestergaard for about 18 years, growing both dahlias and vegetables. I have learned so much from fellow gardeners and appreciate the opportunity to meet people from different cultures.
I joined the board in 2022 and love working with members representing Project Grow at various events. I can’t wait until April when it is time to transplant seedlings at the Hoop House.
Mitch Seymour
Pollinator Pro
I have a BS in Biology from Notre Dame and a Master's and PhD in Human Nutrition from MSU. I am currently involved in human drug development, but still have rooted interests in ecology, food science, human nutrition, and agriculture.
I volunteer on the Washtenaw Food Policy Council, as Chair of the Pollinators Policy Action Team. I work on projects and advocacy affecting pollinator health, including land management practices, native plantings, and regenerative farming practices. I have a home garden with tomatoes and herbs, and a native flower garden to attract and support pollinators.
Cesar Vargas
Pending updates.
Annette Calabrese Zurack
I've loved gardening since I was a child. I have great memories picking green beans, deadheading marigolds, and planting flowers for my grandmother. I first started gardening with Project Grow in 2015 and over the years it has become a favorite part of Ann Arbor.
I started at Matthaei, and last year moved to the Leslie Science Center, where I became a site coordinator. I have been proud to be a part of the Project Grow community and value the opportunity to be involved in the maintenance and further support for the organization.