Colleen Trout has an extensive background in non-profits and worked in a variety of capacities. Serving as the Education Coordinator at EcoAction Partners for four years, she organized Green Business Roundtables, green tours (forest health, solar homes, etc.) and sustainability education in schools. Prior to that, she led the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program (TASP) as Executive Director for 13 years. Trout achieved an MA in Sustainable Communities from Northern Arizona University in 2018.

Trout also works for Telluride Ski & Golf Co. during the winter (part-time) and has taught skiing for 40 years to students of all ages, abilities and disabilities.  She is passionate about climate impacts on local food, the ski industry and outdoor recreation in mountain communities whose economies are tourism based, as well as the impacts on downstream communities particularly agriculture and ranching communities. 

During the summer she is an avid hiker, biker, high altitude gardener and forest and wildflower enthusiast.   

Christine joined our team in August as Office Manager and brings with her 15 years of Administrative Office experience as well as a farming and gardening background. She and her husband moved to Colorado from the Hudson Valley region of upstate NY in 2016 to explore the western side of the United States. Christine enjoys gardening, hiking, cooking and learning about food, health and nature.

Favorite Fruit: Blackberries

Favorite Vegetable: Beets

Rose moved to Montrose from her hometown of Portland, OR and has been getting to know the Western Slope through hiking, knitting, spending many mornings at the Farmer’s Market, and generally looking for ways to keep her toddler busy. Rose has a degree in Botany, background in environmental education, and worked with University of Minnesota Extension and Oregon State University Extension in Forestry, natural resource, and sustainability outreach and education. While living in Crookston, Minnesota she worked with local Public Health and City partners to grow the local community garden and start a “One Vegetable One Community” challenge. Rose’s greatest joy comes from being an active member of a thriving and resilient community!

Favorite fruit: Bing cherries

Favorite vegetable: Brussels sprouts

Sammie believes that growing, preparing, and serving food is one of the most human ways we can connect to each other. After studying food sustainability in Perugia Italy she pursued her interest in food security and food system sustainability through her campus community farm. In 2019 she earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Sammie enjoys going to the beach, rowing, embroidery, and picking up new hobbies. 

Favorite fruit: Peach

Favorite vegetable: Onions

Huge appreciation and thanks goes out to Eva Parr, the best Americorps ever! Eva took on the Manager role of the Montrose Farmers’ Market midsummer along with her Americorps duties and jumped in with both feet.

Not only did she do her Americorps job – whom we shared with Sharing Ministries Foodbank, she managed all the School and Community gardens – which is a huge job! This speaks to Eva’s willingness to accept challenges with incredible grace.  VFP is grateful and lucky to have had her time, expertise and positive energy!