top of page
ARI-FLV Staff July, 2024 - Snowy Range_edited.jpg

MEET THE TEAM

Gayle Woodsum with llama

GAYLE WOODSUM

Founder and Director

(She/Her/Ki/Kin) I am a writer and speaker with over 40 years of experience in community organizing for social change. A lifelong gardener, farmer and rancher originally from Maine, I have made my home in the high elevation, rural and frontier communities of Wyoming and Colorado since 1990. Over the years, I have brought this rich background of life-informed knowledge to programs that focus on the need for and power of community-based and led efforts for health and wellness to be within reach of every individual. My food systems work began in 2009 with the founding of Feeding Laramie Valley, an organization that produces and provides high quality fruits and vegetables to people struggling with food insecurity, while being equally dedicated to the support and development of local food systems that help producers of all types and sizes thrive with supply chain practices that are effective and sustainable. Feeding Laramie Valley's vision and accomplishments extend collaboratively throughout Wyoming and across the United States. 

Angelina Adams and her German Shepherd Henry

ANGELINA ADAMS

AmeriCorps VISTA Member

She/Her) I’m born and bred in Laramie, Wyoming. I went to school for music performance and after 6 years in Los Angeles, decided to move back! I am excited to be serving as a current AmeriCorps VISTA member working on developing and improving our several community-led food systems in my hometown. I love spending time with my family and pets, playing in bands, going on hikes and reading in my spare time.

Collin Ballard

COLLIN BALLARD

Mobile Market Coordinator

(He/Him) I was born and grew up in Laramie, so I’ve always had an appreciation for the mountains and the snow! I graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2016 with a degree in Religious Studies and International Studies. After attending a graduate program at the University of Washington, I decided that I would rather serve my community through direct action than through academia. I moved back to Laramie and found my way to Feeding Laramie Valley’s Mobile Market program. I believe that everyone deserves access to healthy meals, so I’m very excited to dive into the world of food security, and I’m even more excited to serve the community I love so much. In my spare time, I enjoy jogging, hiking, camping, and anything that can get me outdoors!

Lina Dunning

LINA DUNNING

Community Engagement Director

(She/ Her) I serve as the statewide AmeriCorps VISTA coordinator for Action Resources International, in addition to managing several FLV programs and documenting the area’s food history and future through interviews and videos. I grew up in a small town on the coast of Maine. After graduating from the University of Maine with a master’s degree in Community Development I worked as a community educator with the Cooperative Extension Service. My experiences there led me to focus on the urgent issues facing women and children including family planning and sexual violence. Now living in Wyoming, surrounded by mountains instead of the ocean, I am working as a community-based social change activist to understand the role that food insecurity plays in keeping women trapped in abusive relationships and how to make healthy, fresh food available to those in need.

Chris_Lima_portrait.jpeg

CHRIS LIMA

Full Year AmeriCorps VISTA

(He/Him) I was born in Syracuse, New York, and grew up in Florida, Louisiana, and Maine. I moved to Laramie in 2013 to attend WyoTech and have been here ever since. I volunteered for Feeding Laramie Valley, helping with Shares, as well as putting on events such as Soup and Solstice before joining the AmeriCorps VISTA program. I am excited to join the FLV team, as I believe everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious food and to work on expanding the composting program. By joining AmeriCorps VISTA, I hope to gain valuable experience and insights which will enable me to develop computer programs and applications to expand food services. When I am not in the FLV office, I enjoy learning about computer programming and studying American Sign Language (ASL)!

Alexia Mendez

ALEXIA MENDEZ

Volunteer Coordinator

(She/Her) I was born in Denver, CO and moved to Casper, WY at age 7. Since then, I moved here to Laramie, WY and have graduated with a BS in Physiology and a minor in Psychology from the University of Wyoming. I have served as both a summer Americorps VISTA member in the Kids Out to Lunch program and as a full-year VISTA member developing infrastructure for the Composting, Mobile Market, and Volunteer programs. I am excited to continue to work with the many volunteers I have gotten to know in my new role aIn my free time I love hiking, traveling, baking, camping, paddle boarding, and trying new things! 

Sandy Moody

SANDY MOODY

Program Support Services Coordinator

I was born and raised in Laramie and have raised my three children here as well. I attended the University of Wyoming and completed a certificate program at Laramie County Community College. Having worked many years at UW and for the Albany County school district I landed at Feeding Laramie Valley. Working part-time cleaning the old Ft. Sanders building at LaBonte Park, I also took on several temporary jobs from watering gardens to assisting with the inaugural years of FLV’s free summer lunch program and the Higher Ground Fair. Now full-time at Feeding Laramie Valley, I am the coordinator of  Kids Out to Lunch and logistics coordinator for the annual Higher Ground Fair.

Stefani Salas

STEFANI SALAS

Shares Production Assistant Manager

(She/They) I grew up splitting half my year between rural Laramie and the Colorado Front Range. I moved to Chicago fresh out of high school to pursue a degree in Graphic and Fashion Design, then moved to Denver and received a trade certification in Culinary Arts. Coming from a background of subsistence farmers and a decade in food service, I believe food is the corner stone of community. I'm excited to serve my community and learn from my coworkers to be a better food producer. In my free time I enjoy working on my homestead, archery, and getting put into the Snowies.

Frankie Thorne

FRANKIE THORNE

Shares Distribution Assistant Manager 

(They/Them) Hi! I am a Wyoming native, born in Casper. I moved to Laramie in the summer of 2014. I am a summer shares associate. In my free time I enjoy making music and especially playing my cello. 

JannaUrschel.jpeg

JANNA URSCHEL

Promotion and Outreach Coordinator

(She/her) I come to the Action Resources International team from a background that seesaws between non-profit leadership, education, and higher education in English. I am excited to finally be able to bring those strands of my past and my passions together in service to our community! I arrived in Laramie five years ago with my husband, two daughters, and two dogs, and we have since expanded our family to include more dogs, horses, goats, chickens, and pocket pets. I also volunteer for a local non-profit horse rescue and am a working author. 

Feeding Laramie Valley
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Shares Pick Up
Thursdays, 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

 

Feeding Laramie Valley

968 N. 9th Street, Laramie, Wyoming 82072

Tel: 307.223.4399 E: info@feedinglaramievalley.org

  • Facebook Social Icon
  • Instagram Social Icon
  • LinkedIn Social Icon
  • YouTube Social  Icon

🌶️ See What's Hot at FLV!

Never Miss an Update,
Subscribe to the Newsletter Today!

When you subscribe you will receive all of the latest program updates, staff and volunteer features, information about upcoming events, gardening tips, and more!

We'll never share your contact information.

bottom of page