The following community members have been nominated to serve on our steering committee.  Thank you to all who volunteer their time and talents to support our market!
WESTSIDE FARMERS MARKET
2024 Steering Committee Election Candidates

Below is a list of people nominated to serve on the steering committee with a term of October 2024 - October 2026. Using this ballot, please select the individuals you’d like to serve on the market’s steering committee. Each candidate was asked the following questions and their answers are listed below.

  1. How long and in what capacity have you been involved with the market?
  2. Why do you want to serve as a member of the Westside Farmers Market steering committee?
  3. What talents, skills, and background do you have to contribute to the steering committee?
  4. Are you affiliated or serve as a leader with any associations or organizations?
  5. Have you ever served as a representative on a governing body before?
  6. Is there anything else you'd like our community to know about you?

​Ann Culbreth

  1.  I, along with my husband have been involved with Westside Farmers Market as vendors since 2022. We were invited to join in 2021 but could not due to other commitments at the time.
  2. The Westside Farmers Market has been very welcoming and accommodating to C&C Microgreens. It has allowed us a great space to vend in, and to grow our business successfully! I feel that being on the steering committee is a way  that we can express our gratitude and give back to the West Side Farmers Market community.
  3. I have organizational skills, from Felton & me having been members and managers of the South Wedge Victory gardens@Hamilton St. and Cypress  St. for 9 years. I like collaborating with others to get positive things done!
  4.  I have served as a building representative for my work union, the Rochester Association of Paraprofessionals. I'm involved with ministries at my church, Memorial AME Zion, as well. I've recently worked with the Scouts in an after-school program at the Downtown YMCA.
  5. While living In the South Wedge neighborhood, I was a member of the Democratic committee for the 24th legislature district.  I really enjoy being a vendor at WestSide!! Thank you for the opportunity to serve and give back.

Mallory Syzmanski

  1. Since 2020 I've been a volunteer at the market. I've helped in many capacities including takedown, info tent, social media, and general hype person.
  2. I want to see this market succeed, and I want to network with community members who share values about accessible, healthy food for our neighbors.
  3. I'm organized, enthusiastic, and able to multi-task. I bring writing and editing skills, research skills, and people skills. I've recently become modestly successful at Canva Pro and video splicing!
  4. I'm a researcher with the Upstate New York Police Researching Consortium. I am a member of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester. I am chair of the Division of Human Studies at Alfred University where I direct the Africana studies program.
  5. Yes, this one, and others.
  6. I am a devoted fan of the Westside Farmers market, the Westside of Rochester, and all the food producers who nourish our bodies.

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    Sarah Tierney 
  7. Beginning in May of 2023 I worked as the Urban Fellow at the Westside Farmers Market and started the satellite food pantry location of St Peter's at the Westside Farmers Market.  Since then, I remain involved at the Center for Community Engagement in the community-engaged learning certificate project which is intended to have a capacity building outcome.  I am using this project to support the WFM in several exciting ways!
  8. I feel like being on the board is the best way to feel looped in as a volunteer and help with administrative capacity building as well as have a structural impact.
  9. I have taken a lot of classes about policy and worked with the refugee and immigrant support services of Emmaus, a non-profit in Albany where I learned how non-profits work and ways to correct common inefficiencies.  In high school I was on the teen board of the Ronald McDonald House and learned about board participation and fundraising.
  10. Currently, I work with the special collections in the rare books library at the University of Rochester.  When I was the Urban Fellow I worked at St Peter's and got to know a lot of community members and social services networks in rochester.  During the Urban Fellow program I learned a lot about our city and how it functions.
  11. I was a teen ambassador for Ronald Mcdonald House and also served as community service chair for Gamma Phi Beta sorority.
  12. I want to get university students more connected with the Rochester community because I feel like the city has way more to offer than most people realize.  At the market, my favorite veggie costume is the peapod!

Angela Burch- 

  1.  How long and in what capacity have you been involved with the market? I have been peripherally involved with the market since its beginning as a member of the 19th Ward Community Association that voted to become the fiduciary, then serving as the Treasurer for the 19WCA for two separate terms in the past and as a customer.
  2. Why do you want to serve as a member of the Westside Farmers Market steering committee? This is an important program not only for residents to be able to purchase fresh food in the heart of the neighborhood but a way to build community engagement and serve as a social hub. I would like to see it continue to thrive and grow.
  3. What talents, skills, and background do you have to contribute to the steering committee? The last 20 years of my work career has been spent in non-profit entities in an accounting/finance capacity. I have served as the treasurer of the 19WCA as well as a delegate so have familiarity with its governance. I have also served as the treasurer of the Governing Board at my church and chair of the Finance Committee for 3 years.
  4. Are you affiliated or serve as a leader with any associations or organizations? I have also served as the Treasurer of the Governing Board at my church and chair of the Finance Committee for 3 years.
  5. Have you ever served as a representative on a governing body before? The Treasurer with the 19WCA is part of the Executive Committee. I also served as a District Delegate for several years. I served a 3 year term as Finance Committee Chair and Governing Board Treasurer.
  6. Is there anything else you'd like our community to know about you? I have been a resident of the 19th ward over 2 separate occasions for almost 20 years and grew up in the Neighborhood of the Arts.




Bios forthcoming-


Asimi Coleman
    Volunteer, current Vice-Chair


Colette Muhammad
    Vendor, 19th Ward resident


Megan Lovely
    Afilliated with U of R Center for Community Engagement




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