Erica joined our team in 2021 to support our operations and implement new systems as Foodshed Capital was in its first stage of growth. She now leads our development efforts alongside CEO Michael Reilly, working to grow our network of funders, partners, and farmers through relationship building, communications, and storytelling. Erica also works closely with our lending and outreach teams to guide our programmatic strategy, with the goal of ensuring our organization is always balancing daily tasks with the big picture.

A wearer-of-many-hats, Erica brings strong practical and field experience to our team. For nearly a decade, she co-owned and operated Free Union Grass Farm, a regenerative livestock farm producing 100% grass-fed beef, pastured poultry and eggs, and forest-fed pork that is still in operation near Charlottesville, VA. Erica's deep firsthand experience with the challenges and opportunities facing small-scale farmers provides critical insight for our team in refining our services and meeting farmers where they are.

Erica earned an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Agriculture from Warren Wilson College, and a Masters of Environmental Management from Yale School of the Environment. She lives in Charlottesville, VA with her husband, feral toddler, and retired farm dog, and enjoys munching on pea shoots and chatting with neighbors in her front yard garden.