Staff
Lisa Beneman has been farming professionally ever since she graduated from Whitman College. Originally from Maine, she spent a few years pursing farm apprentice opportunities in Italy and the Pacific Northwest before returning home to Maine in 2015 to farm full time. Lisa has tried her hand at many aspects of farming; vegetable production, sustainable forestry, dairy, and meat production, but consistently returns to growing vegetables as her absolute favorite! All things food are central to Lisa’s life - growing it, cooking it, eating it, and thinking and talking about it. When she is not farming Lisa loves to downhill ski, go on canoe trips, carve wooden spoons, and bake. Lisa looks forward to building community with you at the Bowdoin Organic Garden!
Emily Bell-Hoerth, Organic Garden Assistant
Emily began her working life as a naturalist, outdoor educator, and elementary school teacher. After a life-changing injury, Emily has found new ways of engaging with the natural world that include farming, painting, and botanical dyeing. As a local, born and raised in Bath, Maine, Emily is thrilled to be a part of the Bowdoin community, and serve those around her by helping people connect to the natural world, through getting their hands dirty, growing and eating delicious food. Emily also enjoys painting the signs you see around the BOG. When she isn't on campus, Emily is usually busy in her own garden, walking her dog, painting, or knitting.
Stephanie gained a love and appreciation for living with the seasons and tending to the land at a young age. Hours spent with her family in their backyard gardens are among her fondest childhood memories. Upon experiencing some health concerns in her teens, Stephanie became curious about how herbs and food can support overall wellbeing. She went on to study Health Science at the University of Southern Maine. At USM, she coordinated an on campus community garden. She cherished those moments after class gardening alongside other kindred spirits, getting their hands in the soil and growing food together. After graduating she continued in the holistic realm studying Herbalism, Integrative Nutrition and Yoga. Her passion for working with plant allies is what brings her to the Bowdoin Organic Garden. When she's not in the garden, you can find her cooking elaborate meals, hiking, foraging or paddle boarding.