Speakers

Kim Stoner has been the Director of Policy & Advocacy for CT NOFA since January, 2023. She is a former CT NOFA Board member and co-founder of the Organic Land Care Program, as well as a long-time activist for climate, environment, and peace. She is a retired scientist at the CT Agricultural Experiment Station.

Monique has built over 30 edible school and community gardens and farms around the northeast, including a 2-acre urban farm in Bridgeport, CT. These days she works as a Soil Health Program Manager for CT NOFA and runs a worm composting business with her son, Justin. She also teaches Soil Management for Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Berkshire Botanical Gardens. She studied ‘The Soil Food Web’ under Dr. Elaine Ingham and teaches microscopy, soil health, and composting to farmers and organizations. Through microscopy and test trials, Monique explores the relationship between living soil and healthy, nutritious food.

Dr. Yonghao Li, a plant pathologist, runs the Plant Disease Information Office at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven, Connecticut. He has more than 30 years of experience in gardening, disease diagnostics, and pest management.

AliRose Grabarz came to the CT Department of Agriculture in October of 2021. Before DOAG, she studied Animal Science and Agricultural Economics at the University of Connecticut where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. At DOAG, AliRose manages grant programs for the advancement of CT farms and promotion of agricultural viability in Connecticut.

Robert Maddox is the owner of Sun One Organic Farm in Bethlehem, CT. The farm operates 4 airbnb’s as well as an event space, and provides produce to the local wholesale market. Rob is an international renewable energy consultant advising large corporations on strategies to procure renewable energy.

Christian Duborg is the Food & Nutrition Policy Analyst at the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity. Joining the Commission in January 2024, Christian is the first person to hold this position, and is tasked with gathering data on food insecurity in Connecticut, presenting reports and recommendations to reduce food insecurity, producing public facing resources, and facilitating coordination and collaboration in the food system. Before joining the CWCSEO, Christian worked as an educator in southern Louisiana, first at Upper Pointe Coupee Elementary School and then at the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, covering every grade level between 4th and 11th at some point in those two positions. Christian holds a BA in Political Science and Arab Crossroads Studies from NYU Abu Dhabi and an MPA from Louisiana State University. Christian lives in Middletown and enjoys sports, board games, and going for hikes with his wife Killian and their dog Bernie.