Jackie de Batista, Executive Director

Jackie joined Angelic Organics Learning Center in 2019 and feels in many ways it was like coming home. She is a local, sustainable farmer who went through the Stateline Farm Beginnings program back in 2007 when she and her husband took over her family’s multi-generational farm, Irish Grove Farms, in Pecatonica. Jackie’s greatest passion is bringing people together, and if she can do this through food and farming, even better. She is dedicated to ensuring a vibrant, healthy, equitable future for all inhabitants of this amazing planet, making her a natural fit for an organization which embodies these same values. Jackie has a strong programming background in environmental education and leadership, a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Wisconsin—Madison and a M.A. in Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development and Policy from the University of Illinois—Springfield.

​Trisha Wilks, Director of Administration

Trisha came to the Learning Center in 2018 as an On Farm Educator, and moved into her current role as Director of Administration in early 2019. She attended Rock Valley College and Northwestern University, and has a deep passion for Environmental, Social, and Climate Justice. Trisha loves working at the Learning Center and is consistently inspired by her co-workers, saying, "This team of people is dynamic and passionate. Being able to take “Goat Breaks” and to hold and play with baby goats is pretty amazing too."  She also enjoys serving the community in a number of environmental conservation roles including the Trail Stewardship program with the Winnebago County Forest Preserve and as a River Watch participant.  

AJ Boucek, Administrative Manager

AJ studied political science and environmental studies at Augustana College. He joined the Farmer Training department at Angelic Organics Learning Center in 2018, transitioned to the role of Administrative Assistant in late 2019, and now works as our Administrative Manager. He continues to lend his talents to the Farmer Training when possible. AJ lives with his wife, Olivia, and his three cats: Buffy, Leo, and Julian. His favorite thing about working at Angelic Organics Learning Center is hanging out with Ninja, the Learning Center’s resident farm cat.

Kate Larson, Farmer Training Program Director

Kate joined the Angelic Organics Learning Center team in January 2022. With her husband, Andy, Kate owns and operates a free-range egg farm in Pecatonica, Illinois where they are currently raising their three daughters and 600 chickens. Previously, Kate worked as a high school teacher in Des Moines, Iowa where she taught Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science. Kate holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame where she double majored in Anthropology and Environmental Science. Kate also holds her M.A. in Teaching for Secondary Science from Iowa State University. Working with the team at the Learning Center feels like the culmination of a journey for Kate; bringing together her professional experience with her passions for education and farming.  She says, “I love how we reach a wide range of farmers. I truly believe that everyone, from farmers who are just starting out to seasoned experts, can learn something new to improve their farming business.”

​Goli Ziolek, Farmer Training Program Manager

Goli’s early years lent very little thought or connection to agriculture. Armed with a love of food, she spent years in the culinary and hospitality industry honing her customer service and business management skills. Seeking a deeper connection to her work, she traveled the world meeting folks from all corners of the food system — farmers, artisans, activists. She quickly realized that her heart was always drawn to the farms she visited and found a way to take action within the space of urban farming. Along her wild and diverse journey, she found her footing as an educator. Career highlights include teaching budding chefs at the Art Institute global culinary program, serving as educator for National Restaurant Association's ProStart - Orange County and as farmer/communications coordinator of Rancho Mission Viejo’s Agrihood. Goli received her culinary training at the Art Institute and her masters degrees in Food, Culture, and Communication from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy. She loves making every day an adventure, whether it's exploring a new landscape or trying new foods. You’ll probably find her with her two dogs, Lincoln & Killer, and her partner, John.

Ritchie Wai, Farmer Training Program Coordinator 

Ritchie hails from the low, red clay and sandhills of North Florida. In his past, he studied environmental science and policy near the dredged sand beaches surrounding Tampa Bay and served amongst the limestone cragged Appalachian foothills of South Middle Tennessee with AmeriCorps. Ritchie has worked with high tunnel horticulture, aquaponics, regenerative grazing, and small organic vegetable operations in a temperate continental climate. He has also coordinated between educational institutions, students, and communities developing and running environmental and food production focused programming. He is a member of the National Young Farmers Coalition and the current secretary of the Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers Chapter.

​Tedd Snowden, Program Director of Roots & Wings

Tedd began working with AOLC as an on-farm educator in 2011. Since 2012 he has worked with the Roots & Wings program in Rockford, first as the Marketing Manager and now as the Program Director. Tedd brings more than 20 years of sales experience to his work at the Learning Center and has successfully expanded the youth Community Supported Agriculture program from 5 to over 40 CSA share holders, established innovative markets at workplaces of health-minded organizations, and started on and off site market stands at Blackhawk Courts and other Rockford Housings Authority complexes. Tedd recognizes that working within our urban communities in this way can have positive impact, socially, economically, and educationally, while providing food security through urban agriculture.

​Yatte Moore, Roots & Wings urban Farm Manager

Kenyatte Moore, affectionately known as Yatte, began as a youth apprentice in our Roots & Wings Urban Farm program at Blackhawk Courts Farm in 2014. Through this training program he gained competencies in growing practices, farm planning, personnel management, harvest and post-harvest handling, and marketing.  In 2016, Yatte stepped into the role of farm manager and now skillfully oversees our indoor and outdoor growing spaces, our CSA businesses and our farm stands. 

​Laura Sjoquist, On-Farm Program Manager

Laura has a strong background in education. Her previous work experience includes outdoor education with the Rockford Park District and community education through the Burpee Museum of Natural History.  Laura holds a master’s degree in education with a concentration in Natural Science and Environmental Education and Bachelor’s in Studio Arts.  She participates in the Illinois Master Naturalist program and has used her volunteer hours in the program to help promote and restore natural areas and native species with organizations like Natural Land Institute and Wild Ones. Her favorite thing about working at the Learning Center is helping visitors find connections between farming and ecology, and that we can all have a positive impact with the daily choices that we make.

Leah Lawson, Director of Resource Development

Leah has been a part of food system work in Illinois for most of the past decade. She first fell in love with agriculture while working on a process evaluation in a small farming community in Maharashtra, India as part of her Masters’ degree in International Development. The combination of regenerative practices and community-led action left a deep impression which carries over to her work with the Learning Center and the food system in general. She currently serves as the Board Chair of Advocates for Urban Agriculture where she has been deeply involved for several years. She and her daughter both love chickens and are excited to add them to their urban homestead in the near future.

Bertha Jurado, livestock manager

Bertha was born on a farm in Mexico and lived there until the age of 5. She studied and graduated as an accountant in Durango, after which she came to the USA and began working at the Learning Center in our Livestock department. She is a dedicated employee, passionate about all animals and loves everything she does in her work. 

Randy Mermel, Lead On-Farm Educator

Randy Mermel has 13 years of experience working as an On-Farm Educator at Angelic Organics Learning Center. He graduated from Arizona State University with a BS in Environmental Science and spent several seasons with the US Forest Service.  He enjoys sharing the farm with people of all ages and backgrounds, and specializes in teaching about natural building, forest ecology, wilderness survival, and organic gardening (with an emphasis on compost building). Randy loves to teach about regenerative farming, and especially loves to witness the magic and wonder of a participant's very first farm experience--from sampling fresh broccoli from the field, milking a goat, or splashing in the creek. 

​Jessie Mermel, On Farm Educator

Jessie loves to nurture opportunities for people to experience wonder and awe in the natural world. She graduated with a degree in Sustainability Studies from Roosevelt University but is driven to go deeper than sustainability and study systems of regeneration, restoration/re-storying, and rewilding. She has been an educator at Angelic Organics Learning Center since 2008 and a Master Naturalist since 2012.  A longtime activist, she helped organize the Rockford chapter of 350.org and now leads women’s circles. She loves to help people think about our connection to the soil and choices in food systems as a solution to climate change.  Jessie has a wanderlust for exploring the natural world by canoe, foot, or bicycle and loves to indulge in camping and backpacking. She lives with her husband - also an educator at the Learning Center, teenage children, dog, cat, and chickens in a geodesic dome.

Julie Tackett, On Farm program director

We would like to welcome Julie Tackett as the new On Farm Education Initiative Program
Director. She has lived in Rockford most of her life and has enjoyed the beauty that Northern
Illinois offers. When she is not out in the prairie, chopping down invasive plants, or enjoying her
sunny back porch, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.
​
She studied Public Communications and History at Western Illinois University. After college, she
began working in the non-profit sector for the Girl Scouts. She developed and managed
volunteer teams, as well as assisted in the creation and delivery of programs for the children at
the local council. In addition, Julie has thirteen years of business management experience.
However, her passion has been teaching English as a Second Language at Rock Valley College
for twenty years. She taught civics and grammar. When asked about her experience, she said, ”I was the one learning from my students. They taught me how to appreciate culture, diversity,
and kindness at a higher level.”

These life lessons have resonated with her and she intends to continue to teach, learn, and
grow while at Angelic Organics Learning Center. Julie is looking forward to working alongside
the hard working educators and staff in delivering a curriculum that is inclusive, exciting, and
hands-on for all participants.

“Now I see the secret of making the best persons, it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep
with the earth.” ~ Walt Whitman

JENny addison, Communications & Events Manager

Jenny joined Angelic Organics Learning Center in 2022. She has a Bachelors in Fine Arts and many years of visual and digital communications experience. She has managed multiple projects in this capacity, most recently coordinating the Concerts for Kids at the Beat Kitchen and contracting with a wide variety of businesses in digital marketing, including Leche Libre Apparel, Chicago Bike Polo Association and many more. She has volunteered to direct the Windy City Coop Tour for multiple years, a project of the Chicago Chicken Enthusiasts which is currently supported by Advocates for Urban Agriculture and was a project our very own Martha Boyd was very active in.