Adrianne Finelli was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In 2001 she moved to Philadelphia to attend Temple University where she earned a BA in documentary filmmaking. Four years ago she came to Michigan to attend UM in the schools of Art & Design and Social Work, earning an MFA and Specialist in Aging certificate. Adrianne’s creative work is centered around families and loss, and has been screened nationally and internationally. In her position as Marketing Manager of Growing Hope, she will concentrate on families and growth. She enjoys cooking, hiking, swimming, and dancing.
Wendy Watson grew up as a city girl in California loving her visits to mountains and valleys, chicken farms and rows of artichokes. She has interests in philosophy, art, psychology, social work, peace and economic and social justice, and has worked as an art therapist, community organizer, and social work administrator. Currently interested in sustainable community, Wendy moved to the area recently to live in co-housing where she continues a love for organic gardening and working with community. She is delighted to join Growing Hope where she will be the “community organizer.”
Gabe Tilove hails from Pennsylvania, the land of the Quakers. He enjoys planting, pruning, felling, climbing, hugging, and hiking amongst trees. He refers often to Gandhi’s autobiography for inspiration. After working outdoors for the past year, Gabe is excited to be the Education VISTA for GH. Gabe lives in Ann Arbor with his two crazy cats, Maggie and Iggy.
Jeremy Sobczak is excited to join the GH staff as the volunteer coordinator. He is even more excited to be done with his summer jobs of power sanding and collecting toxic waste. He has a degree from the UM Program in the Environment with a specialization in sustainable landscape design. Gardening is one of Jeremy’s many passions, and he recently planted 10 varieties of his favorite crop, garlic. He can’t wait to bring his knowledge and enthusiasm to the Growing Hope community.
Starring as Growing Hope’s new farmer’s market manager, Ryan Mary Stedman (a.k.a. Rye Breadman) isn’t thinking twice about leaving her post at ESPN in Chicago. A native of Southfield, Michigan and a local food enthusiast, Ryan is thrilled to be dedicating the next year of her life to Growing Hope. She’s looking forward to cooking up all the fresh veggies she can find, especially the winter squash. Find her and the whole cast of beautiful vegetables in style at the winter and summer Ypsi markets.
JP Swanson, Jpeas, or Jeepers joins Growing Hope from Wisconsin where he has been working in farming for the last three years. His many sun faded sweatshirts prove his ability to manage Growing Hope’s organic farm. JP loves to grow tomatoes and is looking forward to his new job as ‘Farm Manager’ and sharing his knowledge of gardening with the Ypsilanti community this year.
