Our Board

Geoffrey Bok (he/him), Attorney at the Law Office of Geoffrey Bok

I joined the GMFTS board in January 2021. I strongly believe in GMFTS’ mission of serving Northeast Kingdom farmers, schools, and community members through the organization’s Farm-to-School, Green Mountain Farm Direct, and Lunchbox programs. I am proud of how these programs improve the lives of the people who live, work and study in our beautiful corner of Vermont.

I have practiced law for many years, with a focus on serving the legal needs of nonprofit organizations. I live in Craftsbury with my wife Marion, a retired Coventry Village School special education teacher who has witnessed the positive effect of GMFTS at that school. I have a BA from Harvard College and a JD from Harvard Law School.

I think we are so lucky to have an organization like GMFTS in our area. Interconnection between farmers, schools and communities and teaching our youth about sustainability is important to our future. I’m thrilled to be a part of this wonderful organization!

Elizabeth (Liz) Butterfield (she/her), Owner, Butterfield Farm Stand and Greenhouse; Administrative Assistant, Vermont Rural Education collaborative (VREC)

I joined the GMFTS board in the fall of 2025, driven by a deep-seated belief in its mission. Having spent 11 years in the superintendent’s office at NCSU, I saw firsthand how GMFTS transforms the lives of students and their families. Now, as a co-owner of a farm and a grandmother of nine, I am more committed than ever to ensuring local, healthy food is accessible to everyone in our community.

Originally from the Berkshires, my roots in agriculture began with 4-H gardening and leadership programs. I hold an Associate’s degree in Floriculture from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass. Committed to community service, I have served as president of the Barton Area Chamber of Commerce, a 4-H leader, and a member of the Brownington Planning Commission.

My husband and I previously owned the Barton Village Corner Store and Blooming in Barton florist. Following a 15-year career in education administration at OCSU and NCSU, I now dedicate my time to raising vegetables, perennials, and livestock for our retail greenhouse and farm stand. I especially enjoy connecting with customers and sharing the story of where their food comes from. I am continuing my involvement in local education as the administrative assistant for the Vermont Rural Education Collaborative.

I treasure the time I spend in my perennial gardens and with my nine grandchildren, who range in age from 5 to 20. It seems both the gardens and the grandchildren grow a little bigger every year!

My passion for agriculture took root in 4-H and was nurtured by my parents’ love of the land and my husband’s dairy farming background. As the daughter of an educator, I believe in the power of teaching the next generation about nutrition, climate change, and the vital role of local food systems.

Sarah Chadburn (she/her), Assistant Vice President & Commercial Loan Officer at Community National Bank

I joined the GMFTS board in May 2024. I feel that educating our youth about food systems and access to fresh, local produce is very important.

I have worked at Community National Bank for the past 15 years, primarily in the commercial loan department. I attended Champlain College where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. I’m currently the Board President of Newport Downtown Development and I serve on the board of the Risk Management Association Vermont Chapter as well as the National Council. In the past, I served as a board member for the NEK Young Professionals as well as Northern Community Investment Capital (NCIC) .

I live in Coventry with my husband, Kyle and 2 dogs. In my free time you will find me traveling, attending concerts, or hanging out on my deck in the summer!

I think we are so lucky to have an organization like GMFTS in our area. Interconnection between farmers, schools and communities and teaching our youth about sustainability is important to our future. I’m thrilled to be a part of this wonderful organization!

Maire Folan (she/her), Nutrition Education Director for UVM Extension

I joined the board in 2023 and have been involved with GMFTS since 2014 when I was hired to lead the Farm-to-School program. I saw firsthand how incredibly important and empowering gardening and cooking education is to students. I stewarded the Farm-to-School program through 2021, then joined the great efforts to continue nutrition and cooking education with low-income Vermonters around the state at UVM Extension. I am thrilled to continue supporting GMFTS as a board member.

I live in Holland with my husband, his two kids, and we will be welcoming a new child to the family in 2024. We love being outside and exploring our beautiful part of Vermont. I am a Registered Dietitian and hold a Masters in Sustainable Food Systems.

Seth Johnson (he/him), Owner of Morningstar Farm

As a long time advocate for the local foods movement here in VT, and a contributor of organic grains to GMFTS for over 10 years now, I was really excited to accept the invitation to join the board in the spring of 2023. GMFTS has not only played a key role in the success of our farm over the years, but has opened countless avenues and possibilities for other local farmers to get their products into the hands of area schools and businesses.

I did my internship at Butterworks Farm in Westfield, VT during the summer of 2001, where I started to develop a real appreciation for local organic grain production and marketing. I then graduated from Andrews University in Michigan with a Bachelors of Technology in Field Crop Production in 2003. After graduating, I worked with Jack and Anne at Butterworks for an additional 4 years, where I learned first hand the hard work and dedication that goes into not only nurturing the land, but also nurturing and educating the consumer about how good food is produced and shared with our community.

My wife Jeannette and I have 4 kids ages 6-14, which are very active on the farm, helping more and more each year. And on our farm (like most we know!) there’s not a lot of free time during the growing season, but when we do get a chance our family loves to go hiking and mountain biking on local trails, and in the winter we enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

I’m really excited to see what the future brings for GMFTS, and look forward to helping in whatever way I can to guide the future success and direction of this great organization!

Lesley E. Rae Larsen (she/her), Certified Nurse Midwife at North Country Ob/Gyn and North Country Hospital

I joined the board in March 2024. I was first introduced to the work of GMFTS through my children when they were students at Newport City Elementary School. They were so excited and engaged in learning how to grow and prepare food, which I thought was amazing. As a healthcare provider, I know how important these early experiences can be in developing healthy lifelong eating habits.


I grew up in Maine and Massachusetts. I have a BA in Anthropology from Beloit College and a Certificate in Nursing and Master’s in Nursing from Yale University. I am a Certified Nurse Midwife at North Country Ob/Gyn and North Country Hospital. I provide full scope gynecologic care and midwifery care to the women of the NEK, and I deliver babies. In addition, for the last 11 years I have been providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health classes to all the schools in the North Country Supervisory Union, and many of the schools in the Orleans County Supervisory Union.

My husband, Aaron, and I live in Derby with our three children. In my free time, I love being outdoors. I enjoy hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, and spending time in our abundant bodies of water. I also love to read.

I am excited to be part of the board to help continue the important work that GMFTS is doing in our community.

Jennifer Menon (she/her), Board-Certified Pediatrician at North Country Hospital

Jennifer Menon, MD is a board-certified pediatrician, wife, and mother. She is currently practicing at North Country Pediatrics, where she dedicates her expertise to caring for children. Jen grew up in Massachusetts and pursued her undergraduate education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earning degrees in applied physics and biology. It was here that she met her husband, Praneet Menon.

Following her undergraduate studies, Jen earned her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She then completed her residency in pediatrics at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her passion for promoting healthy lifestyles from an early age greatly influenced her decision to specialize in pediatrics.

Jen says, “I joined the GMFTS board in the summer of 2024, motivated by my deep commitment as a mother and a pediatrician to the health and wellbeing of children. The mission of Green Mountain Farm to School resonates with me because it aligns perfectly with my belief in the importance of teaching children about healthy lifestyles and ensuring they have access to nutritious, locally grown food from an early age.”

Outside of her professional life, Jennifer enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband and their 8-year-old daughter. They often spend time snowboarding, rock climbing, hiking, practicing karate, and playing games together.