Our Board
At Highwater Farm, the board of directors is responsible for supporting the direction and success of the farm. The board is made up of passionate individuals from all different backgrounds, each with unique skills and expertise to contribute to the farm's mission of regenerative farming, youth empowerment and hunger relief.
Whether it's donating time or money or simply spreading awareness about our work in their communities, we are deeply grateful for the continued support of our board members and all those who help us to achieve our mission of supporting today's young leaders and creating a more sustainable, healthier future.
JESS HEDDEN, Secretary
Jess Hedden has lived across Garfield and Eagle counties for the last 11 years and has leveraged her skills as a community organizer and facilitator. Jess started working with Highwater Farm in early 2021 as a volunteer grant writer and CSA member and joined as a board member in 2022. Jess believes in the mission of Highwater Farm and the importance of food security and environmental justice, especially in rural communities. Jess currently lives in New Castle and loves being able to visit the farm with her 2 kids.
JESSICA LISCHKA, Board Chair
Jessica Lischka has lived in the Roaring Fork Valley since 2006 and food has always been at the center of her world, working in hospitality for more than 20 years and operating a successful restaurant and bar in Aspen for 15 of those. She is now the owner of JRL Management and enthusiastic about using her business knowledge and organizational skills to support the regenerative food production and programming at Highwater. She is an avid outdoorswoman and enjoys skiing, hiking and cycling all over the world, although still prefers Aspen to anywhere else.
FRED LODGE, Board Member
Fred lives in Emma where he and his wife, Susan, have a large vegetable garden, three alpacas, 13 ducks and two dogs. Fred is a retired partner at Morrison & Foerster and recently served as the Board President of Aspen Valley Land Trust. A lifelong gardener, Fred is excited about the farm project because he thinks educating young people about farming is a great way to teach life lessons and useful skills.
SARAH RUMERY, Board Member
Sarah and her husband Tom moved to New Castle and started Osage Gardens in 1992. Today, Osage Gardens is a certified organic greenhouse operation, selling organic culinary herbs to retail stores throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. They sold their farm to Knapp Family Farm in 2019. Sarah is passionate about Highwater Farm because she believes it is a wonderful example of a farm providing food to our community and believes in providing educational programs for our youth.
TERRI SLIVKA, Board Member
Terri Slivka is a retired high school counselor and activist for environmental and social justice. She first met Sara at a fundraiser for Highwater Farm in 2021 and was drawn in by all the factors that make this organization outstanding: local small sustainable farming, a partnership with Lift-Up, engaging local school kids in farming, as well as involvement with nearby communities. Terri and her partner, Rich, live in Carbondale where they enjoy all things outdoors.
DANA WOOD, Vice Chair
Dana is a Michigan native and has been living, playing, and working in the Colorado River Valley area since 2011. She is an ultra runner, yoga teacher, animal lover, and world traveler. Her professional passions include food justice, creating community based solutions, and building trusted relationships to spark positive change. She is also a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for the Town of Silt. Dana is excited to be the newest board member for Highwater Farm and to see their work continue to inspire our communities.
COLE ZYWIEC, Treasurer
Cole Zywiec was raised in the Roaring Fork valley. With a short stent away while attending Western State Colorado University, he realized he couldn’t stay away and now resides in Silt with his wife and two dogs. Cole worked as owner/operator of a window washing and construction cleaning company for five years. Which led way to his current job as a Banking Officer for Alpine Bank. He has a great love of the outdoors and looks for any excuse to spend more time out in the mountains. Cole has a background in recreation and outdoor education and is excited to support a youth program that provides jobs and teaches life and farm skills.
Partners
We are so grateful for the support and generosity of these businesses and organizations who share our values and are committed to helping us fulfill our mission. Thank you so much for your generosity!
Businesses & Foundations
