All of us at Crosshatch want to wish Jen Schaap all the best as she transitions into new work with the Local Food Alliance and Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities.

Jen has been with Crosshatch since 2011, and in that time has been a voice for small farmers and the local agricultural community. She has played a prominent role in the development of Crosshatch's many guilds, as well as taking on many years as the organizing muscle behind the Northern Michigan Small Farms Conference.

On behalf of our board and staff, we offer my heartfelt thanks to Jen for her dedication and leadership over these last five years. She has helped Crosshatch grow our community's "major in homecoming" as Wes Jackson calls it. Crosshatch's work has value in as much as it takes place on the ground, in the home, on the farm and in the daily work of local people. Jen has always been that kind of anchor for our work.

"I am extremely grateful for these last 5+ years with Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology. In my time with Crosshatch, working on the many food and farming programs, I have met some of the most passionate, conscientious colleagues and partners who have helped me grow into a leader, listener, and do-er of the good and necessary work in building community." Says Jen.

And then, "I look forward to continuing this work at Groundwork Center, expanding the mycelial network that makes our rural communities stronger. Crosshatch has a special magic and I know, as I depart, that the brilliant, impassioned, dedicated staff and board will keep making that special magic that answers to the call of the community."

We wish her good luck and great work as she moves forward!