Board Members
Elle Adams
Program Director

I was raised in a family with a mother who was and continues to be a community activist and community builder in NYC and a father who always dreamed
of raising his family on a farm as he started out. As a result of this interesting combination my siblings and I grew up in the Bronx with a menagerie
of animals including chickens in our backyard. We also had a keen sense of what it meant to be a productive part of our community. "Make yourself useful" was
and continues to be my mom's motto. Although he has passed on I still remember my dad saying, "You are responsible for your actions so make those actions
count!" I guess community building and farming are in my blood.
After my experience managing the City of Cleveland's community gardening program (Summer Sprout) I knew that I was hooked. My love of people, gardening, agriculture and community led me to want to start an urban agriculture program. With the support of friends, family, and community partners City Rising Farmwas born!
of raising his family on a farm as he started out. As a result of this interesting combination my siblings and I grew up in the Bronx with a menagerie
of animals including chickens in our backyard. We also had a keen sense of what it meant to be a productive part of our community. "Make yourself useful" was
and continues to be my mom's motto. Although he has passed on I still remember my dad saying, "You are responsible for your actions so make those actions
count!" I guess community building and farming are in my blood.
After my experience managing the City of Cleveland's community gardening program (Summer Sprout) I knew that I was hooked. My love of people, gardening, agriculture and community led me to want to start an urban agriculture program. With the support of friends, family, and community partners City Rising Farmwas born!

Loretta Williams is a retired Cleveland Police Officer and a longtime resident of Ward 7. She fills her days lending her talents to many organizations and serves on the board of City Rising Farm, The Black Shield Club, and the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church Usher Board. Loretta enjoys spending time with family and friends and enjoys baking in her free time.
Loretta is the let's get it done person at City Rising Farm. Her favorite saying is, "We don't have time to waste, let's make this happen!" Whenever we are faced with a challenge Loretta comes through. In fact Loretta is responsible for making the "Hough Neighbor Night" happen! Meet us there on the third Thursday of each month. It's at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center, 1866 Hough Ave. from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Loretta is the let's get it done person at City Rising Farm. Her favorite saying is, "We don't have time to waste, let's make this happen!" Whenever we are faced with a challenge Loretta comes through. In fact Loretta is responsible for making the "Hough Neighbor Night" happen! Meet us there on the third Thursday of each month. It's at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center, 1866 Hough Ave. from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Louis Watford is a long time fixture in urban agriculture in Cleveland, OH. He has worked with the City of Cleveland's Summer Sprout gardens in the past and is a current board member with City Rising Farm. He has a landscape business and continues to work with gardens as well!
City Rising Farm Advisory Team

Ms. Alisa is a life-long Hough resident whose interest in gardening dates back to her childhood flower garden. That early experience is evident in the beautiful and creative plantings at her home and the wonderful job she does helping maintain the Blaine Avenue Community Garden. Ms. Alisa is also the Hough Garden finder for the 2012 GardenWalk Cleveland. Please enjoy Ms. Alisa's garden at the link below.
https://picasaweb.google.com/117417241875462723468/MsAlisaSGarden?authuser=0&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/117417241875462723468/MsAlisaSGarden?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Benita Robinson is a community gardener known for her wonderful cooking skills.
She has been with City Rising Farm for several years and people always look forward to her fried fish at our potlucks. She and her daughter Ayahana are hard working members of City Rising Farm!
She has been with City Rising Farm for several years and people always look forward to her fried fish at our potlucks. She and her daughter Ayahana are hard working members of City Rising Farm!

Carla Dunton is a Cleveland State University graduate, Cleveland resident. Carla has been involved in Community Development for over 15 years. Serving on the advisory board for City Rising Farm. Carla spends her free time doing Community Service activities with the ladies of Esther Chapter 11 order of the Eastern Star. Carla enjoys grilling and cooking.
community gardener at City Rising Farm and enjoys working with a host of other organizations to create opportunities in Greater Cleveland.
community gardener at City Rising Farm and enjoys working with a host of other organizations to create opportunities in Greater Cleveland.

Robin Holzman fell in love with Blaine Avenue the first time she saw it back on Thanksgiving Day 2009. She is a founding member of City Rising Farm. In fact she is the person who came up with our wonderful name!
The design created by the placement of the children's garden beds is Robin's idea. Her love of children is evident in the pictures that can be seen at the link below.
https://picasaweb.google.com/117417241875462723468/RobinInTheGarden?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKXhlqmUvdSxsQE&feat=directlink
The design created by the placement of the children's garden beds is Robin's idea. Her love of children is evident in the pictures that can be seen at the link below.
https://picasaweb.google.com/117417241875462723468/RobinInTheGarden?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKXhlqmUvdSxsQE&feat=directlink

We saved this space for you!
Please contact us to find out how you can be part of the City Rising Farm family!
City Rising Farm
216-269-5325
info@cityrisingfarm.com
Please contact us to find out how you can be part of the City Rising Farm family!
City Rising Farm
216-269-5325
info@cityrisingfarm.com
Teen Advisory Members
Youth Gardeners
The youth are the seeds in our program. We work as a community to provide the resources they need to take root, grow, and blossom into strong healthy people. We throw lots of fun in too! Our reward is the benefit of having these young leaders in our midst!
The youth are the seeds in our program. We work as a community to provide the resources they need to take root, grow, and blossom into strong healthy people. We throw lots of fun in too! Our reward is the benefit of having these young leaders in our midst!