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meet the green team

City Sprouts continues to grow due to the commitment of our dedicated staff and Board of Directors, community partners, and volunteers. 

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City Sprouts Staff (left to right): Emily Ramelb, Rocky Huibregtse, Laura Simpson, Aaron French, Edgar Romero, Shannon Kyler

our staff

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Aaron French

He/Him

Manager of Urban Farm Initiatives

Aaron joined our team in 2018 and brings loads of agriculture, education, market, and outreach experience to City Sprouts. Aaron manages City Sprouts' Urban Farming Internship and City Sprouts' multiple growing sites.  

Contact Aaron

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Edgar Romero Gonzalez

He/Him

Urban Agriculture Outreach Manager

Born in Mexico City and Midwest-raised, Edgar is bilingual in Spanish (his native language) and English. Though he is ultra-focused at the task at hand, he still loves having a good time and incorporating fun into his work. Edgar graduated from Metropolitan Community College in 2015 with a degree in Horticulture, Land Systems and Management. He is experienced in greenhouse production, organic cultivation, cultivation consulting, and is excited to be teaching some here at City Sprouts and leading a team of 2021 interns. Edgar oversees operations of City Sprouts South and will help teach in many of our programs in both English and Spanish.

Contact Edgar

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Emily Ramelb

She/Her

Communications + Development Manager, DEIA Practitioner

Emily joined the City Sprouts team in Spring 2021. She oversees City Sprouts branding, marketing strategy, fundraising and organizational development. Graduated from Rockhurst University, she has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in marketing and communication, and the Helzberg School of Management's Undergraduate Award for Distinguished Leadership. When Emily isn't working, she's in the kitchen whipping up something colorful and delicious, or kicking back with friends and family.

Contact Emily

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Laura Simpson

She/They

Programs + Distribution Coordinator

Laura is an Omaha native, she grew up in the Keystone neighborhood of Northwest Omaha.

Laura graduated from MCC in 2013 with a degree in Business Management and Marketing, and from UNO in 2018 with a Bachelor's in Fine Arts - 3D Media. Over the past few years, she has worked with a local arts non-profit, BFF.

In 2018, Laura was a Resident Farmer at Big Muddy Urban Farm and in 2019, she completed the New Roots internship with The Big Garden. Laura joined the City Sprouts team in 2020. 

Contact Laura

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Director
AaronF
Edgar
Emily
Laura
Shannon
Rocky
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2024 Summer Urban Farming Interns mentored by City Sprouts staff members Aaron French, Edgar Romero Gonzalez, Laura Simpson and Rocky Huibregtse. Learn more about the PAID Urban Farming Internship here!

our board of directors

Our Board of Directors consists of community volunteers, who help provide oversight and direction for City Sprouts.

Executive Board

LaLeesha Haynes, President

Nebraska Medicine | Manager, Employee Growth and Experience

Cassie Goulet

CHI Health | Senior HR Business Partner

Ian Simpkins

Charles Schwab | Finance Manager

Randy Vyhnalek, Secretary

Conagra Brands | Scrum Master

Board Members

Angela Lindstrom

Health Center Association of Nebraska | Director of Communications

Bob Wolfson

BWC Consultancy | Freelance

Brian Smith

Nebraska Methodist Health System | Emergency Management Director

Caitlin Ellis

Jackson Lewis | Attorney

Kim Armstrong

Metropolitan Community College | Faculty

Liz Tipton

Union Pacific Railroad | Director Risk & Compliance

Meghan Kallhoff

Jackson Lewis | Attorney

Shanda Ross

Nebraska Medicine | Director of Engagement, Outreach, and Belonging

Taylor Daniels

Aradius Group | Director of Marketing

Anti-Discrimination Policy

City Sprouts is committed to providing an environment free from all forms of discrimination and conduct considered harassing, coercive or disruptive, including sexual harassment. Actions, words, jokes or comments based on an individual’s sex, race, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, pregnancy, leave status, [mental, emotional, or physical] ability/disability, military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic or status, will not be tolerated.

Board

Rocky Huibregtse

He/Him

Education Assistant

Rocky joined our year-round staff as the new Education Assistant in May 2023. A former City Sprouts Urban Farming Intern, Rocky has a wealth of knowledge in sustainable growing techniques. He will assist the Farm Crew in guiding the summer internship, as well as take lead in the classroom. When he's not working, Rocky enjoys spending time reading, baking goodies, and tending to his many chickens, turkeys and quail.

Contact Rocky

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Shannon Kyler

She/Her

North Programs Manager

Shannon joined the City Sprouts team in 2016. She manages our North Community Garden, coordinates volunteers for both sites, is an educator for Garden to Table, and is our resident Chicken Wranger and Beekeeper.  When she is not at City Sprouts she is attempting DIY home improvement projects and having dance parties with her kids.  

Contact Shannon

City Sprouts Interns

Intern
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