New Haven Farms searched nationwide for a new helmsperson — and found someone right here in town.
His name is James Jenkins (pictured), and he’s graduating this month from Yale Divinity School. Friday the not-for-profit organization, which promotes urban farming, announced that Jenkins will become the new executive director. He replaces Rebecca Kline, who recently stepped down after four years in the job..
Allan Appel Photo
Kline with Kale.
Kline offered this depiction of her successor in an email message Friday to the group’s supporters: “James joins New Haven Farms with a commitment to food justice, sustainability, and community building in New Haven. Wendell Berry’s agrarian tug led James to Yale Divinity School, where he will graduate in May after serving three years as the school’s Sustainability Coordinator. James also has experience as a city collaborator for Nourish New Haven, the food justice and sustainability conference he created; and an interdisciplinary practitioner with interests in non-profit leadership, eco-justice, and food systems. He is thrilled to join the exceptional staff and volunteers at New Haven Farms, along with furthering our organization’s mission to support health and community development through urban agriculture.”
The organization farms on seven plots of land around town. It also runs a growing, nutrition, and cooking program with the Fair Haven Community Health Center for people with diabetes or high cholesterol. Click here to read a story about that.
