Meet the VIGA Board & Staff

Abby Antonelis

Abby moved to Vashon in 2014 and raises animals and occasionally grows row crop. Her primary interest is around food security.

Michele Batchelder, President

Michele spent the first part of her career working in international relief and development, where she learned the importance of safe and accessible food in communities. She now spends her working hours managing a global operations team at Amazon and every other moment growing things (inside and outside) at her home on Maury, where she lives with her husband, kid, and uncle. Michele obsesses over food preservation and learning how to create more earth friendly food sources that can be accessible to all consumers.

Terah Ratheheart

Terah got involved with VIGA in an effort to create a food preservation initiative to reduce food waste on the island. She’s not a farmer, but eats food, so finds the work VIGA does relevant.

Born and raised in the NW, growing up on Camano Island, Terah moved here with her partner and pup in 2018 and loves being a part of the island community.

Thomas Vroom

Thomas Lives on Maury with his family. He is a licensed master electrician and runs Fernhorn Bakery with his wife. He believes Vashon can grow a wide range of nutrient dense foods which should be available to everyone, which is why he joined the VIGA Board.

Jasper Forrester, Bookkeeper

GreenMan Farm

Jasper is a lifelong veggie grower, raised up amid bounteous vegetable gardens, fruit trees and chickens. Her formal education includes degrees in Business Administration and Environmental Horticulture, and she is a frequent speaker and contributor to local publications on the subject of sustainable agriculture.

In addition to growing food, Jasper's other favorite thing in the whole world is music. She is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with a keen knowledge of traditional music from America and the British Isles. Fun Fact: Once upon a time, Jasper spent many happy hours playing Irish fiddle at a pub called . . . "The Green Man".

Robin, Market Manager

Robin is the owner and operator of Vashon Garlic