The Team
Behind every harvest is a team of passionate women, mentors, and community leaders dedicated to creating opportunities through agriculture, education, and entrepreneurship. Together, we cultivate growth, inspire confidence, and empower stronger futures for women and their families.
Meet The team
Advisory Board
Kenan Hill
Kenan is the Program Coordinator for the Northern Colorado Foodshed Project's Farm Business Accelerator program, the site of the HWFP's Flores Del Sol pilot proyectito
Karla Melgar Velis
She is the Small Acreage Management Specialist in the Front Range of Colorado working for CSU Extension. She specializes in sustainable grazing and dryland farm sustainability. She has a background in environmental management and sustainable agriculture.
Alma Vigo-Morales
Alma recently retired from leadership roles focused on organizational excellence in the private sector. She is currently serving Fort Collins in a volunteer capacity to help increase a sense of belonging and safety for all in our community.
Christie Schmidt
Christie is a licensed clinical social worker with experience in trauma focused counseling, psychological evaluations for humanitarian immigration relief, community organizing and healing care with survivors of interpersonal and gender based violence, trauma and war.
Jessica Callen
Jess started her position as the Ag and Natural Resource Specialist for Larimer County in August 2023. She has a masters in Soil and Crop Science from Colorado State University. In her current role she focuses on addressing the challenges of local producers by working with CSU, the county, and local organizations to create events and resources.
MaryLou Smith
Founder
Founded by MaryLou Smith, the program began on farmland west of Windsor, Colorado, where land and water resources were dedicated to producing fresh vegetables while creating life-changing opportunities for women in Northern Colorado.
Program Director
Daysi Sweaney
As Program Director of the Hispanic Women’s Farming Proyecto, Daysi Sweaney leads the vision, strategy, and day-to-day implementation of the program.
She works closely with participants to ensure they have the tools, training, and support needed to grow and sell their produce, while also strengthening their confidence and leadership as farmers.
