Serena Cochrane-Stuart (she/her)
Farm Services and Outreachserena@gatewayfarmers.org314.561.7010 ext 2Serena founded Stuart Farm with her husband, Fred, in 2011 in Gerald, MO, and currently raises cattle, hogs, chickens, and laying hens. Stuart Farm joined Known & Grown in 2019, and Serena served on the Farm Advisory Committee and assisted with the formation of The Gateway Sustainable Farmers Alliance. Serena earned a BS in Criminal Justice and an MA in Forensic Psychology, discovered her passion for advocacy and serving the underrepresented. After 10 years advocating for victims of domestic violence in the family courts of Texas, New York, and Hawaii, she became a farmer. Her advocacy now focuses on sustainable farming, educating her customers on the benefits of local food, and supporting her fellow farmers. In her downtime, Serena enjoys gardening, crocheting, playing pinball, and traveling to see her family.
Emily Ehley (she/her)
Community Outreachemily@gatewayfarmers.org314.561.7010 ext 1Emily is an environmental educator, naturalist, and arborist with a passion for supporting a just and sustainable local food system. She is excited to help bridge the gap between people who eat food and people who grow food. In addition to her work with GSFA, Emily likes to hike, garden, convert lawns into native plants, and generally play in the dirt.
Rae Miller (she/her)
Co-Founder, Operationsrae@gatewayfarmers.org314.561.7010 ext 5Rae Miller has worked in the St. Louis local food system since 2010, staffing a farm stand at Tower Grove Farmers Market, working on vegetable and livestock farms, starting her own urban farm, and working in nonprofit sustainable agriculture roles. Rae played an integral role in founding the Known & Grown program in 2019 and has been part of the team and community since. Outside of her passion for farming, Rae loves tending to her family- children Maple and Wallace, partner Jarred, and pup Woolly.
Nicki Morgan (they/she)
Co-Founder, Communicationsnicki@gatewayfarmers.org314.561.7010 ext 4Nicki, along with their family, founded HartBeet Farm, a diversified farm, in 2015 in Eolia, MO. HartBeet Farm was among the first farms to join the Known & Grown program. Nicki served on the Farmer Advisory Committee before officially joining the team in 2023. They bring along a passion for supporting other farmers, fostering mental health, and encouraging awareness about our food system. In their spare time, Nicki enjoys writing, baking, and spending time in nature alongside their wife, Katie.
Our Board
Kelsey Power | Charleston Power Family Garden – Board President
Seth Hamilton | East Side Grows – Board Treasurer
Rae Miller | GSFA staff representative – Board Secretary
Holly Evans | Rosy Buck Farm
Josh Plack | Wine Creek Farm
Tosha Phonix | A.C.R.E.S.
Join our Board
Joining the Gateway Sustainable Farmers Alliance Board of Directors is a unique opportunity to guide our work to foster a more resilient and equitable food system. We are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to help us in our support of sustainable farmers throughout the St. Louis region. Learn more.
Our Work Environment
GSFA is structured as a worker self-directed organization. Traditional hierarchical dynamics are not present and staff are considered co-directors and have greater autonomy. This environment requires enhanced interpersonal communication, peer accountability, and collaborative decision-making.
Our Values
GSFA operates in accordance with a set a shared values:
Trust and Integrity – Actions should always be taken in good faith with honesty and responsibility.
Respect – People should be treated with kindness at all times. This means regularly practicing active listening and self-reflection, being aware of power dynamics, as well as honoring individual differences.
Diversity – There is power in different experiences and perspectives.
Relationships – Building community and trust with individuals and organizations is essential to developing understanding and perspective in our work to effect systems change.
Collaboration – Actions shouldn’t take place in isolation. Whether working with fellow staff or community partners, it is important to lean on the skills and capacities of others to strengthen our work.
Community Empowerment – We follow the principle that we all do better when we all do better. Lifting up other organizations and groups of people in our community promotes collaboration and resilience.
Equity – All people should have the tools and resources they need to succeed.
Transparency – Honest work should be visible for all to see.
Learning – There is always room to learn more.