Kae Vargas joined the CT Farmland Trust as the new Farmland Access Coordinator in April 2023. Previously, Kae was the Mobile Market Manager for Common Ground High School, Urban Farm, and Environmental Center in New Haven. He worked directly with farmers, local organizations, and diverse community members to bring Connecticut-grown fresh food to marginalized neighborhoods. Originally from Bolivia, Kae spent many summers on his family’s cattle ranch which instilled a passion and appreciation for farming. He is excited to support new and diverse farmers accessing farmland in Connecticut. Kae is also a beekeeper and woodworker.
Kip Kolesinskas works as a consulting conservation scientist, his clients include both nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Much of the focus of his recent work has involved efforts to improve land access and affordability, and provide technical services to new and beginning farmers. He serves on the UConn Extension Solid Ground Farmer Training cadre, where Kip provides training and site assessments on land access, soil health, and climate change adaptation strategies. Formerly USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State Soil Scientist for Connecticut and Rhode Island, where he worked extensively with farmers, educators, government and nonprofits to help them protect farmland and wetlands, and use soils information to make better informed land use decisions. In addition to this wealth of professional experience, Kolesinskas is an avid fisherman, cook, gardener and local foods advocate.
Will O'Meara is the CT Field Agent at Land For Good, as well as a vegetable farmer and advocate for farmers in our state and the region. Will has been farming in Connecticut since 2011 and knows the challenges of finding secure access to land firsthand. The most rewarding part of his work is helping farmers to identify opportunities to start or expand their operations, as well as assisting retiring farmers and landowners in identifying farmers that can steward their land for the next generation.