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Introducing the Plainfield Co-op Board of Directors

Five new Board members were elected at the Co-op Annual Meeting in August. John Cleary, former Treasurer, continues on as President. Read their amazing brief biographies. In future newsletters we plan to publish more in-depth interviews.

John Cleary

John Cleary, President

I have lived on Gray Road in Plainfield for the last 18 years. Together with my wife Lauren and our kids, I have operated a small organic farm, selling beef, pork, eggs, and raising jersey heifers for a local dairy farmer.

In the past I have worked on various farms and directed the organic certification program for Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA-VT). I have worked for Organic Valley cooperative for the last 20 years, serving farmer-owners across the northeast. I currently serve on the board of Rural Vermont, and I have served on the boards of several other organizations.

I have been involved with local food co-ops for more than 25 years, and I’m a strong believer in their vital mission of bringing together communities in a way that focuses on values and healthy foods. I am willing to work on the difficult issues facing the Plainfield Co-op and am committed to an inclusive process that values member input.

Allen Freund

 Allen Freund, Liaison to the Building committee

After graduating from Queens College in 1967, I moved from NYC. Settling in Bethel, I taught 6th grade, enjoyed summers as dairy farm hand, and built my own log home from scratch. After getting a Masters in Educational Administration, I was the principal at the Rumney School, Middlesex and then at the Charlotte Central School. 

From 1984 through 2009, my wife Debbie and I owned and operated Squash Valley Produce in Waterbury Center. We distributed fresh produce and specialty foods throughout central Vermont, provided logistics for many local organic farmers and had a retail outlet on Route 100 in Waterbury Center. Since selling Squash Valley I’ve been working with NOFA-VT’s Vermont Organic Farmers and the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association. My passion for local sustainable agricultural systems is second only to my love of family, including four grandchildren.

Maureen Lynch

Maureen Lynch, Secretary

I have been a member of the Plainfield Co-op since moving to town in 2021, and I feel strongly about working and growing together in community and supporting local businesses. I am grateful to be able to volunteer my time to serve on the Conservation Commission and now the Co-op Board, and I am excited to support the work of the Co-op as it grows into its new home on Route 2.

In my professional life, I work in environmental sustainability in the tourism industry in Antarctica. My background is in marine and freshwater ecology and fisheries, and I have worked in ecosystems from the North Atlantic, to the Great Lakes, to Antarctica, to Vermont lakes and streams with Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

Jeremy Matt

 Jeremy Matt, Treasurer

I’m a lifelong Vermonter. I grew up in southern Vermont and moved to Plainfield in 2009 with my family. My kids all attended Twinfield starting in kindergarten and have all graduated or are currently seniors in high school. For fun, I enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and working with my hands; I’m competent at rough and finish carpentry and am a decent blacksmith. 

Volunteering is also important to me. I’ve served on the board of CVFiber (now NEKCV) since 2018, trying to bring fiber internet to Plainfield. I’m excited to begin working to help the Co-op grow into the new Route 2 space.  

My professional life has been varied. After attending UVM, I worked as an environmental engineer for a firm in Montpelier investigating and remediating hazardous waste sites. I mostly worked on smaller “brownfield” sites, but also provided environmental oversight on larger projects such as Burlington’s Waterfront North redevelopment. In 2017 I switched career tracks and returned to UVM to study data science. I earned my PhD and currently work as a machine learning engineer for a company in Montpelier.

Carla Siegle

Carla Siegle, Vice President

I am a retired political economist who owns and operates a small sheep farm in Plainfield, Vermont. During my teaching career I taught economic theory, economic mathematics, international trade, monetary policy and history of economic thought. Most of my life I have enjoyed a side hustle building low income housing such as tiny houses and am currently building a small cabin for a young family. I enjoy writing fiction, horseback riding, studying Hebrew, and playing various musical instruments. I am passionate about making healthy food available to everyone.

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Note: Katherine Bizzoco, Board member, will be introduced in the next Newsletter. 

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Contact information for Board Members

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