Staff
Executive Director: Judith McGeary is an attorney, farmer, and activist. She has a B.S. in Biology from Stanford and a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. Following a clerkship with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, she practiced as an attorney in administrative law and litigation. She and her husband began McGeary Ranch, a sustainable livestock farm, and she became a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture. After seeing how government regulations benefit industrial agriculture at the expense of family farms, she left her legal practice to form the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance in 2006. Since then, Judith has spearheaded national coalitions fighting to stop the National Animal Identification System and to protect local foods. She currently serves as a voice for small and diversified farms on the USDA Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health.
Director of Communications & Engagement: Maria Whitworth comes to CHFS with a 38+ year creative background in Marketing, Brand Management, Community Engagement, Event Coordination, and Digital Media Strategy, and holds a special love for local, sustainable initiatives that support small growers, ranchers, and food producers. Her background includes marketing for Edible Dallas Fort Worth magazine, highlighting stories of local small farms. Prior to EDFW, Maria was a Regional Marketing & Community Engagement director for Whole Foods Market in the Dallas/Fort Worth region. She served 3 terms in public service on the Town Council of Weston, TX. You’ll find her advocating for local food systems at many Texas events, and can also find her cooking up local goodness in her own family's kitchen.
Program Director: Shanna Crew oversees the development and implementation of the organization’s educational programs, grant-funded initiatives, and farmer support services. She works closely with producers, partners, and community stakeholders to strengthen sustainable local food systems through collaborative programming, outreach, and practical educational resources for farmers across Texas. Prior to joining Council for Healthy Food Systems, Shanna worked in nonprofit urban agriculture and community-based food systems programming, gaining hands-on experience in farm operations, producer support, educational programming, and market coordination. She maintains a small homestead on two acres just outside Houston, reflecting her personal commitment to agriculture, stewardship, and rural sustainability.
Grants and Donor Manager: Jessica Moeder is a nonprofit development professional with a passion for supporting family farmers and local food systems. She grew up on a small farm in Texas and comes from a long line of farmers and ranchers, giving her a personal connection to our mission. Over the past decade, she has helped organizations grow through successful grant writing, donor engagement, and community partnerships, securing significant new funding along the way. She focuses on building strong relationships with members, foundations, and supporters to ensure the organization’s mission has the resources it needs to thrive.
Based in Fort Worth, Jessica is also a mom of two and enjoys finding creative ways to connect families and communities with sustainable farming.
Grants & Services Intake Coordinator: Jessica Tomko brings years of experience in the non-profit sector with a focus on community services, program coordination, and connecting individuals to essential resources. She has supported programs that expand access to services and strengthen local communities, guided by a commitment to create a better world for future generations-something that continues to inspire her both personally and professionally. In her role at CHFS, she supports local farmers by connecting them to funding opportunities, resources, and support services, ensuring they are matched with the most appropriate programs for their needs. Based in Belton, Jessica is a mother of three boys and is especially passionate about healthy food and a healthy environment, which she believes go hand in hand with supporting small farmers and expanding access to regenerative agricultural practices. She values the opportunity to walk alongside farmers and families as they navigate challenges and work toward long-term success.
Help Desk Manager: Kat Vanderburg is an environmental scientist, agricultural professional, and dedicated producer advocate who has spent her career creating and teaching practical, on-farm applications across the full spectrum of Texas agriculture. She is driven by a passion for technical translation, and she excels at turning jargon-heavy technical documents into actionable, plain-language tools that help farmers and ranchers overcome barriers and build resilient operations. In her role at Council For Healthy Food Systems, she will act as a practical, relationship-based problem solver. Kat anchors her advocacy in the producers' lived experience and serves as a bridge between growers and complex government programs. Based in East Texas, she brings a unique blend of high-level analytical research skills and a boots-on-the-ground communication style to the CHFS team, where she hopes to leverage her expertise to spearhead the new Regulatory Support and Resource Referral Call Line.
For general questions, please EMAIL CHFS.
Council for Healthy Food Systems
Building healthy food systems for future generations — supporting small farmers, regenerative agriculture, and resilient local communities.
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501(c)(3) nonprofit In partnership with FARFA