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GCOF Trustees

President: Lucy Chamberlain, B.A.; M.S.

Lucy Chamberlain is a Horticulturist-Botanist with a specialization in plant identification, selection for planting design and related landscape maintenance and management issues. She received a B.A. in Botany/Plant Biology from Hiram College in Ohio in 1979 and a Masters in Landscape Ecology, Design, and Maintenance from the University of London's Wye College. S In 2023, Lucy received Hiram College's Service to Humanity Award for her work designing and maintaining many gardens on campus, especially the Hurd Garden.

  • Areas of Expertise: Landscape design in geographically diverse locations including site analysis through construction and installation of plantings; Garden design and maintenance. ​

 

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John Buchenic: Vice President, B.A.; J.D.; LL.M.

John Buchenic is an attorney practicing corporate governance. He received a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a Concentration in Environmental Policy from Hiram College in Ohio in 2011 and a Law degree from Ohio Northern University in 2014. In addition to his law degree, he earned an LL.M. in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law. John traveled extensively during his undergraduate studies as part of a semester long Biomes of the World study. In 2012 he served as Law Clerk at the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. in their Criminal Investigations Division. In 2013  he was selected for a Fellowship in Iraq with the Iraqi Access to Justice Program where he worked in the Legal Education and Services Component, working with the administration of the Universities of Baghdad, Basrah, Erbil, Dahuk, and Sulimaniyah to realize the creation of legal clinics. In  2016, John Founded Global Development Solutions, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. In 2017, he received the Ohio State Bar Foundation’s District 18 Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 & Under.

  • Areas of Expertise: Grass roots solutions addressing quality of life issues using relevant and practical ways; 

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Mary Buchenic: Treasurer/Secretary: B.S.

Mary Buchenic is a retired educator who taught for thirty years in the Niles, Ohio School District. She received her B.S. in Education (Elementary and Special Education K-12) from Youngstown State University in Ohio. She taught students with Developmental and Learning Disabilities for the first half of her career and Middle School Science for the second half of her career. Mary says she "stumbled upon solar cooking as a science teacher in 1996" and quickly understood its potential as a teaching tool for STEM and cross curricular education. She has presented at the Solar Cookers International (SCI) Conference, SCI Webinar  Series, National Science Teachers of America Presentation, EdWeb CoderZ Continuing Education Webinar, Carnegie Science Center's Café Scientifique lecture, and CONSOLFOOD Advances in Solar Thermal Food Processing. In 2016, she co-founded Solar Education Project with Jennifer Gasser.

  • Areas of Expertise: Solar cooking methods and applications in underdeveloped countries advancing clean cooking education.

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Dennis Taylor; Secretary: B.A; Ph.D.

Dennis Taylor, Professor Emeritus taught at Hiram College from 1979 -2018.  For many summers from 1982 - 2026 he was a lecturer or Adjunct Professor at Shoals Marine Laboratory in Maine (Cornell University and University of New Hampshire). He  received a B.S. in biology from Hiram College in 1973 and a Ph.D. in ecology from Cornell University in 1979 and served in 1080 as a National Needs Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Sterling in Scotland. He was director and co-founder of Learning Streams International, a STEM Academy program investigating local environmental issues through collaborations in the United States, Pakistan and the Dominican Republic. . He directed or co-directed over forty off campus programs including two 80 day round the world interdisciplinary expeditions examining the impact of climate change on all major biomes of the world as well as seven science/language/literature programs in Germany. 

  • Areas of Expertise: Freshwater and marine ecology; Tree canopies and society; Science education including experiential discovery learning  promoting critical thinking. 

  • Contact: dennis.taylor@gmail.com

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Daniel Bancroft:

Daniel Bancroft is head of the Hubbard Farmer's Market 

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Christie Edwards Borkan: B.A.; M.A.

Christie Borkan brings over 45 years of experience in historic house research

and has served in preservation roles at Hiram College, Cleveland Restoration Society, Joseph Smith house, and Hale Farm as well as in private homes. Her work focuses on 19th century architectural history, and she is committed to advancing GCOFC’s mission through sustainable practices, democratic learning, and community engagement by understanding the built environment.. She received her B.A. from Hiram College and an Master of Arts in Early American Culture from the U. Delaware

  • Areas of Expertise: Painted surfaces (stenciling, graining restoration and research) ; Timber-frame Construction; Decorative Arts (through Winterthur Fellowship)

  • Contact: christie.borkan@gmail.com 

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Sara Hill 

Sara Hill is a founding member of the Garrettsville Farmers Market and the Executive Director of the Ohio Farmers Market Network. With over 20 years of experience in hospitality and event management, she brings a community-centered approach to strengthening local food systems and vendor success.

A seasoned educator and speaker, Sara specializes in training farmers market managers and vendors, facilitating stakeholder meetings, and presenting at professional development events focused on agriculture. She is dedicated to building sustainable, welcoming markets that are deeply rooted in their communities.

An active nonprofit board member and volunteer, Sara is also a certified yoga teacher and avid traveler. She draws on her love of movement and culture to bring a holistic, people-first perspective to her work in the local food sector.

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Dean Fernandez

Dean Fernandez is head of the Oz Farm in Manchester California, and has a B.S. from Notre Dame University. Oz Farm is a certified organic farm, orchard and retreat center that trains beginning farmers each year through an educational apprenticeship. Oz is a multifaceted community that aspires to engage the public through immersive education in sustainable food systems and holistic life practices. The farm grows a variety of heirloom apples and pears, plus a wide variety of organic vegetables throughout the year. 

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Wendy Lichtenwalter: B.A.; M.Ed. 

Wendy Lichtenwalter received her B.A. from Hiram College in Biology, and General Science Teaching in 1972 and an M.Ed. in Science Curriculum from Ashland University in 2001. She has extensive teaching experience in Junior high and high school science first from Barberton schools and later at Canton Timken High School from 1998-2010 in the Freshman Connections, and Early College High School programs. She was a key leader in the Learning Streams International program working with teachers and undergraduate Near-Peer Mentors as adjunct faculty. She has played a key role in developing fundraising events for the newly organized GCOF including taking the lead in the first Harvest Festival in October of 2025 and Spring Tea in 2026. 

  • Areas of Expertise: Hands-on Experiential learning for high school students; Fundraising Events; 

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David Sporar: B.A.; J.D.

David Sporar is an attorney in the Law Firm Roetzel and Andress in Cleveland. 

  • Areas of Expertise;

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