Taproot

Missy Brashears, Marketplace Crew

Missy is a transplant to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and has lived on both the East and West coasts and in the South. Life up North is very different, but she enjoys the small town life. (Though she does like to enjoy the snow only through a window!) Missy is an artist of all kinds. You name it, she probably has the supplies for it. Her main hobbies include leatherworking, sewing, painting, and crocheting. During the spring and summer, she enjoys foraging mushrooms, and in the fall, she enjoys turning into a pumpkin. 

Missy grew up in a small farming community in California where sheep and tomatoes dominated. While she didn't live on a farm herself, her family made sure to support the local farmers at the fairs and markets. As an adult, Missy attended the National Heirloom Festival repeatedly and is a big fan of the farmers who are working to save heirloom and heritage seed varieties. Tomatoes and squash hold a special place in her heart but she doesn't shy away from trying to grow new and weird varieties of any vegetable or fruit. 

(Hair color subject to change.)

Emily Champigny, Environmental Education Coordinator

emily@taprootnh.org (603) 788-4813 ext. 3

Emily grew up in Groveland, MA where she spent her childhood exploring the forests and beaches, and growing her love for the natural world. She attended Elmira College in Elmira, NY where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology. After college, she spent a couple years working in a small K - 12 school in upstate New York before continuing her education at Antioch University of New England in Keene, NH. There, she received her Master’s Degree in Environmental Education and a certificate in Climate Change Education while helping with Forest School Programs in the area. After graduate school, Emily completed two service years with Americorps focusing on creating and maintaining gardens at elementary schools and garden education. During this time, she also completed the Vermont Master Gardeners course through UVM. Emily is passionate about creating programs that are learner led, community oriented, and immersed in nature. When she’s not leading programs, helping in the Marketplace, or designing activities, Emily is often out exploring with her dog Rocky, spending time with family, or crafting at home. 

Sally Livingstone, Bookkeeper

info@taprootnh.org

Sally grew up in central NH and moved to Lancaster about 40 years ago. She has lived in her current home for almost 30 years with her husband Eric. She went to UNH and studied food and nutrition for two years, then continued on and completed her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She has spent most of her adult life growing her own vegetables and enjoys all aspects of cooking nutritious meals from local products. She enjoys gardening, cooking, traveling, quilting, needlepoint, kayaking, hiking and cross-country skiing.

Gracie Phillips, Food Access Assistant (seasonal May-October)

Gracie is a farmer, gardener, herbalist, and lover of nature. She believes that nourishing fresh food should be accessible to all and that having a relationship with our food and the earth makes for a healthier community and planet. She grew up locally on a small organic apple and herb farm in Groveton, NH. This is where she developed her love of working with the earth and growing, and eating, tasty food. She graduated with honors from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA. After college she spent time traveling, exploring herbalism, sustainable farming practices, and working with food. She currently manages the orchards and gardens on her family farm and educational center, Heartsong Farm and Lost Nation Orchard. She also helps teach and host educational programs about herbalism, orcharding, and sustainable living. She loves working with Taproot as their Food Access Coordinator, supporting other local farmers and helping those in her community have better access to fresh food. 

Taylor VanDyke, Local Direct Vendor Coordinator

taylor@taprootnh.org, (603) 788-4183 ext. 1

Hailing from the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, Taylor has had a love for all things local ever since winning a raffle at a farmer’s market when she was little. She attended Champlain College and studied public relations/marketing at Champlain College. Over the next few years, she called both Burlington, Vermont and the greater Boston area home while working at various communications agencies with food, hospitality and lifestyle clients. With a change of scenery and change of career on the brain, Taylor found her way to the White Mountains in 2022. 

She is excited to build relationships with local farmers, producers and artisans. Outside of work you can find her reading, enjoying time by the river, crafting or snuggling with her cat, Pinecone.

Rocky Champawgny - In Memorium

Rocky passed over the Rainbow Bridge in February 2024. He was the furry companion of Emily’s for just shy of 16 years. He played an important role at our organization, bringing emotional support and unconditional love to our whole team. He also loved accompanying Emily on education programs. For a small pup, he had a big presence. His absence in the office will leave a big ache for quite some time.