Our Staff
Administrative Staff
To reach these staff members, call 608-240-0409
Cass Hanson
Development Director
she/her/hers
Cass’ professional background blends small business management with digital fundraising. She believes deeply in the power of community and the value of spending time outdoors. A lifelong Madison resident, Cass is excited to devote her work to supporting Rooted’s community initiatives to help people of all ages connect to the land and eat locally grown food. At home, Cass enjoys growing hot peppers, making flower arrangements, teaching yoga, and riding bikes.
Casey Hart
Volunteer and Administrative Coordinator
Casey is originally from Texas, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. He is now pursuing a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he blends his passion for equitable resource access and sustainable development. Casey’s love for nourishing and engaging with people originates from his years of experience in the food service industry. He plans to design communities with urban amenities of green space, reliable food sources and transit, and overall walkability. His plant-based lifestyle and consideration of climate change influences the work he does with urban farms.
Ginny Hughes
Co-Executive Director
she/her/hers
Ginny joined Rooted in 2012. With a Master’s degree in Environmental Leadership from Naropa University and over a decade of experience teaching people of all ages how to grow food, Ginny brings a deep commitment to growing and eating healthy food, community well-being, and organizational sustainability. She holds a certificate in Nonprofit Accounting. Prior to stepping into her role as Co-Executive Director, Ginny served as Rooted’s Deputy Director of Operations, where she oversaw finances, human resources, and organizational operations. Ginny’s background includes developing youth garden programs, training staff and educators across the region, and leading Rooted’s education program. She continues to champion inclusive leadership, equity in the workplace, and a culture of care in all aspects of her work. When she’s not immersed in spreadsheets or soil, Ginny enjoys yoga and adventuring outdoors with her husband and their two sons.
Hedi Rudd
Co-Executive Director
she/her/hers
Hedi Rudd is a former Southdale neighborhood resident who has been an active community organizer since being appointed to Mayor Bauman’s Task Force on Race Relations in 1998. In 2001, she joined Bauman’s staff as the Study Circle on Race Relations Coordinator, a program recommended by the task force. Hedi served two terms on the City of Madison Equal Opportunities Commission and was a staff member of the City of Madison Affirmative Action Department, prior to the creation of the Office of Civil Rights. After living in Las Vegas for 6 years, where she worked at Nevada Cancer Institute in various Executive Administrative positions, she returned to Madison and community organizing. An avid photographer, Hedi is often seen at community events telling the story of communities of color through her lens. Hedi is the 2019 recipient of Forward Community Investments Nan Cheney March for Justice Award. Hedi serves on the Madison Food Policy Council.
Laura Whitt
Marketing and Communications Manager
she/her/hers
Laura grew up in Madison, and graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in Environmental Studies and History. She is interested in the intersection of people and the environment, and the systems that bind both ecological and human communities together. Laura got her start with the Aldo Leopold Nature Center’s Nature Net, and is now continuing her journey in local environmental education organizations as Rooted’s Marketing and Communications Manager.
Badger Rock Staff
Shyelle Aikens
Neighborhood Center Manager
she/her/hers
Shyelle, a proud native of west Madison, brings a wealth of experience in trauma recovery education, sustainable farming, and indigenous agricultural practices to her community endeavors. Raised by a mother deeply involved in care and activism within their neighborhoods, Shyelle’s upbringing instilled a passion for creating safe spaces throughout Dane County. As a teen mom, Shyelle’s journey led her to establish Young Moms of Madison (YMOM), a vital support group for parents of all ages and backgrounds. Empowered by her experiences and the support of her community, she has spearheaded various social equity ventures. Accompanied by her two daughters, Shyelle embarks on a journey of self-discovery and activism, providing education and essential tools to her community. She firmly believes in the transformative power of connecting with the land and understanding our food sources, envisioning a shift in mindset, health, and societal norms. Outside of her community work, Shyelle finds joy in traveling and camping with her children, as well as engaging in creative expression through painting and spending quality time with loved ones. Passionate about fostering inclusive spaces and driving positive change, Shyelle is committed to making a lasting impact on her community and beyond.
Kaylin Brennan
Assistant Farm & Education Manager
Kaylin grew up in Wisconsin and attended UW Madison where she received her degree in Zoology and Environmental Studies. Before graduating UW Madison, she was selected for an interpretation internship at Glacier National Park, which led to 12 years of work as a seasonal park ranger in Montana. Additionally, she has lived and worked in Massachusetts and Southern California for various outdoor science schools. Kaylin has a passion for building community and connecting kids and adults alike to nature. In 2020, Kaylin moved back to Wisconsin to nanny for her first niece (and now has two nieces!), and also to explore teaching at a local Montessori school. She discovered her love for gardening, nutrition education, and cooking while working at this school. She also started the schools’ first farm to table program, managed the garden, and taught preschool students all the way up to elementary age. Kaylin is very excited to be a part of the Rooted community!
Sarah Karlson
Director of Urban Agriculture Education - Madison South
she/her/hers
Sarah comes to her work at Rooted from Oakland, CA where she began her work in food justice and urban agriculture in 2005. She continues this work at Badger Rock, managing the 2-acre Badger Rock Urban Farm and Badger Rock Community Garden and provides gardening and culinary-based education opportunities. Sarah is passionate about gardens as a tool for education, food access, joy, connection, and building community resilience at the intersection of food, racial, environmental, and educational justice.
Hedi Rudd
Badger Rock Neighborhood Center Director
she/her/hers
Hedi Rudd is a former Southdale neighborhood resident who has been an active community organizer since being appointed to Mayor Bauman’s Task Force on Relations in 1998. In 2001, she joined Bauman’s staff as the Study Circle on Race Relation’s Coordinator, a program recommended by the task force. Hedi served two terms on the City of Madison Equal Opportunities Commission and was a staff member of the City of Madison Affirmative Action Department, prior to the creation of the Office of Civil Rights. After living in Las Vegas for 6 years, where she worked at Nevada Cancer Institute in various Executive Administrative positions, she returned to Madison and community organizing. An avid photographer, Hedi is often seen at community events telling the story of communities of color through her lens. Hedi is the 2019 recipient of Forward Community Investments Nan Cheney March for Justice Award.
Forrest Smart
Assistant Farm & Education Manager
Originally from Wausau, WI, Forrest attended UW-Stevens Point where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion and Wellness. Looking for his next opportunity, he moved to Madison WI to seek out more experience and got his start as a Garden Educator and volunteer worker at multiple sites within Rooted, and recently joined the team at Badger Rock. Working with Rooted, he has gained a new passion for educating and working with youth of all ages, especially around topics such as healthy habits, wellness, nutrition, and food sovereignty. Forrest is Native American belonging to the Bad River Band of Ojibwe, Ho-Chunk Nation, and Forest County Potawatomi tribes of Wisconsin. His culture and traditional ways are very important to him, along with this identity. He has many hobbies and loves the outdoors, but his biggest passion is snowboarding in the winter. When it’s not winter, you’ll find him hiking, traveling, going to traditional ceremonies, seeing live music, or visiting with friends and family all around WI.
Kipp Thomas
Culinary Arts Manager
he/him/his
Kipp is the Culinary Arts Director and founder of Kipp’s Kitchen. Kipp has found his sweet spot working closely with the community and students in the Madison and Sun Prairie School Districts. His food can be found at community events such as the Badger Rock Community Market, Dane Dances, and the Urban League’s Unity Picnic. Kipp places a high value on helping others and being able to share his talent and resources with the community. His culinary talent is being used to feed families facing food insecurity. Kipp’s service to his community was recognized when he was honored as a 2019 Community Shares Backyard Hero.
Community Gardens Network Staff
To reach these staff members, call 608-240-0409
Shyelle Aikens
Community Gardens and Greenhouse Assistant Manager
she/her/hers
Shyelle, a proud native of west Madison, brings a wealth of experience in trauma recovery education, sustainable farming, and indigenous agricultural practices to her community endeavors. Raised by a mother deeply involved in care and activism within their neighborhoods, Shyelle’s upbringing instilled a passion for creating safe spaces throughout Dane County. As a teen mom, Shyelle’s journey led her to establish Young Moms of Madison (YMOM), a vital support group for parents of all ages and backgrounds. Empowered by her experiences and the support of her community, she has spearheaded various social equity ventures. Accompanied by her two daughters, Shyelle embarks on a journey of self-discovery and activism, providing education and essential tools to her community. She firmly believes in the transformative power of connecting with the land and understanding our food sources, envisioning a shift in mindset, health, and societal norms. Outside of her community work, Shyelle finds joy in traveling and camping with her children, as well as engaging in creative expression through painting and spending quality time with loved ones. Passionate about fostering inclusive spaces and driving positive change, Shyelle is committed to making a lasting impact on her community and beyond.
Nicholas Leete
Community Gardens Network Director
he/him/his
Originally from Minnesota, Nicholas has spent time in Iowa studying soil, water, and sustainable agriculture, has worked in middle-income housing in New York, and has researched perennial crops at the University of Wisconsin. He spent several years working with community-focused food and gardening projects before joining Rooted as the Gardens Network Manager. Nicholas serves as Chair of the Madison Food Policy Council. When not working on his own community garden plot, Nicholas enjoys cooking, biking, and the Madison lakes.
Chuekao Thao
Community Gardens Network Manager
My full name is Chuekao Thao but normally I go by KO. I have lived in Madison for almost my entire life, starting my elementary education at Lakeview Elementary and finishing up with a BA from UW-Madison. While young, I was very active in sports like soccer, volleyball, and weightlifting. I’ve been married for over 30 years and raised 4 children all enrolled in college. While attending UW-Madison in the early 90s, about eight or nine of us early Hmong students found our first mutual assistant student association at UW-Madison (HASA). Since I graduated, I’ve taken various job from working as Teaching Assistant for Madison Metro School District to starting various self-employed businesses. Southern Wisconsin Hmong Association (SWHA) was one major association I joined in the Hmong community during the late 90s. I served in various capacities from being a board member to being treasurer of the association. Currently I’m an avid gardener with the Troy Garden and enjoy taken hiking trips with family and fellow trackers.
Farm to School Staff
To reach these staff members, call 608-240-0409
BRONTË ADAMSON
Troy Kids' Garden Manager
she/her/hers
Brontë graduated from UW-Madison where she studied Environmental Science and Global Health. While in school, she found a passion for garden-based education and food justice work through her volunteer and work experiences in the Madison community. She believes food is a powerful tool for learning, connection and exploring the world around us. In her free time she enjoys experimenting with cooking, baking, and fermenting.
Brian Emerson
Farm to School MANAGER
he/him/his
Brian, who is a native of Cedar Rapids, IA, is a Northside Madison resident. After graduating from the University of Iowa he worked with the USDA-NRCS on various mapping and watershed projects. Since 2004 he has been with the UW Madison trialing fruits, flowers, and veggies. Most recently, he served as Trial Manager for the Seed to Kitchen Collaborative in the Urban and Regional Food Systems program. In his free time, Brian works in his community coaching, teaching horticulture, and running a small urban farm.
Erica Krug
Farm to School Director
she/her/hers
Before joining the Rooted team in 2020, Erica worked as an elementary school teacher on Madison’s Northside where she helped to create a curriculum for the school’s outdoor classroom and garden. She holds a strong belief that children deserve the opportunity to spend lots of time learning–and playing–outside and is excited to share her love of doing research and creating curricula. Erica has also worked on farm crews, as a kayak guide in Yellowstone, and as a freelance writer. Erica enjoys hot yoga, cross-country skiing, gardening, and eating homemade pizza.
Journey Prack
2024-25 AmeriCorps Farm to School Specialist
Journey recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied Entomology and Environmental Studies. Journey is very excited to start as a AmeriCorps Educator this season! She believes that educating the community about the ecology and sociology of farming is very important and fulfilling. In her free time, Journey likes to cook, read sci-fi and fantasy books, and go outside to collect insects, go birding, or identify native plants.
Special Project Staff
Marcia Caton Campbell
Realizing the Promise of Urban Agriculture Project
she/her/hers
Marcia, Rooted’s retired Executive Director, is a city and regional planner who has worked on community and regional food systems planning, policy, and development for over twenty years. Marcia is co-author of Urban Agriculture: Growing Healthy, Sustainable Places (American Planning Association, 2011) with Kimberley Hodgson and Martin Bailkey. She was the 2020 recipient of the Community Shares of Wisconsin Sally Sunde Family Advocate Award. Marcia serves on the Dane County Food Council and the City of Madison Task Force on Farmland Preservation.
Troy Farm and Gardens STAFF
To reach these staff members, call 608-240-0409
Laura Bettenhausen
Troy Kids' Garden Manager
they/them
Laura Bettenhausen graduated from UW-Madison with degrees Sociology and Environmental Studies, along with a certificate in food systems. They discovered their love for plants and farming through volunteering at The Peoples’ Farm on campus, participating in a Horticulture internship at Allen Centennial Garden, and working as an Urban Farm Assistant at Promega. This passion was transferred to a drive for community building and social justice through community relations work at the UW South Madison Partnership and housing case management at Community Action Coalition. They are excited to combine these skills and get to spend time with both plants and people, fostering relationships rooted in the land as well as each other. Laura can’t wait to share the joy being outside and growing food brings them with the kids who participate in their programs! In their free time, Laura enjoys hiking & climbing trees, crafting, and spending time with friends & family.
Paul Huber
Farm Director
he/him/his
Paul Huber is the Farm Director at Troy Farm. He is passionate about small-scale intensive agriculture and teaching others the craft. Since 2005, Paul has worked as a farm volunteer, laborer, manager and a farm owner. He and his wife Sara ran Shared Seasons LLC from 2013 to 2019.
Nicholas Leete
Community Gardens Network Director
he/him/his
Originally from Minnesota, Nicholas has spent time in Iowa studying soil, water, and sustainable agriculture, has worked in middle-income housing in New York, and has researched perennial crops at the University of Wisconsin. He spent several years working with community-focused food and gardening projects before joining Rooted as the Gardens Network Manager. Nicholas serves as Chair of the Madison Food Policy Council. When not working on his own community garden plot, Nicholas enjoys cooking, biking, and the Madison lakes.
Federica Ranelli
Farm Manager
she/her/hers
Federica Ranelli is a curious farmer, educator, and environmental naturalist. She holds an undergraduate degree in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master’s certificate in Environmental Education from Antioch University New England. Her life’s work is at the nexus of food production, education, and ecological stewardship, and she has practiced it in a variety of ways: environmental educator, interdisciplinary middle school science teacher, school farm coordinator, and production farmer. It’s an honor to steward the land at Tory alongside other curious farmers. When she isn’t growing vegetables at Troy, she enjoys fermenting and canning the harvest, playing outside, and exposing her cat, Parsnip, to the wide, wide world.
Wisconsin School Garden Network Staff
To reach this staff member, call 608-240-0409
Erica Krug
Farm to School Director
she/her/hers
Before joining the Rooted team in 2020, Erica worked as an elementary school teacher on Madison’s Northside where she helped to create a curriculum for the school’s outdoor classroom and garden. She holds a strong belief that children deserve the opportunity to spend lots of time learning–and playing–outside and is excited to share her love of doing research and creating curricula. Erica has also worked on farm crews, as a kayak guide in Yellowstone, and as a freelance writer. Erica enjoys hot yoga, cross-country skiing, gardening, and eating homemade pizza.
Youth Programs Staff
To reach these staff members, call 608-240-0409
Laura Bettenhausen
Troy Kids' Garden Manager
they/them
Laura Bettenhausen graduated from UW-Madison with degrees Sociology and Environmental Studies, along with a certificate in food systems. They discovered their love for plants and farming through volunteering at The Peoples’ Farm on campus, participating in a Horticulture internship at Allen Centennial Garden, and working as an Urban Farm Assistant at Promega. This passion was transferred to a drive for community building and social justice through community relations work at the UW South Madison Partnership and housing case management at Community Action Coalition. They are excited to combine these skills and get to spend time with both plants and people, fostering relationships rooted in the land as well as each other. Laura can’t wait to share the joy being outside and growing food brings them with the kids who participate in their programs! In their free time, Laura enjoys hiking & climbing trees, crafting, and spending time with friends & family.
Brian Emerson
Director of Urban Agriculture Education - Madison North
he/him/his
Brian, who is a native of Cedar Rapids, IA, is a Northside Madison resident. After graduating from the University of Iowa he worked with the USDA-NRCS on various mapping and watershed projects. Since 2004 he has been with the UW Madison trialing fruits, flowers, and veggies. Most recently, he served as Trial Manager for the Seed to Kitchen Collaborative in the Urban and Regional Food Systems program. In his free time, Brian works in his community coaching, teaching horticulture, and running a small urban farm.
Sarah Karlson
Director of Urban Agriculture Education - Madison South
she/her/hers
Sarah comes to her work at Rooted from Oakland, CA, where she began her work in food justice and urban agriculture in 2005. She continues this work at Badger Rock, managing the 2-acre Badger Rock Urban Farm and Badger Rock Community Garden and provides gardening and culinary-based education opportunities. Sarah is passionate about gardens as a tool for education, food access, joy, connection, and building community resilience at the intersection of food, racial, environmental, and educational justice.
