Our Story

Grow Jackson was founded by four young adults from Jackson who believed that everyone deserves access to fresh, healthy food—no matter their income or neighborhood. What began as a small effort to plant community gardens has grown into a mission to improve food access, education, and health through the power of growing and sharing food.

Today, Grow Jackson is led by a dynamic and diverse board of community members who are deeply committed to our mission. Together, we continue to build a more just, connected, and food-secure future for Jackson, Michigan one garden, one classroom, and one meal at a time.

Our Staff

Jacob Inosencio (he/him/él) – Executive Director and Founder

Hello everyone, my name is Jacob and I am the Founder and Executive Director of Grow Jackson. I started Grow Jackson because I believe that fresh food access is a fundamental human right and everyone should have enough to eat. I see every day how students have a deeper appreciation for their food when they have a direct connection to their community garden and it brings me so much joy to be blessed enough to do this work each day. I am a lifelong Jackson resident, and returned to this community after graduating from The University of Michigan with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science. I honed my green thumb on an organic farm in Chelsea during the summer of 2020 and started Grow Jackson a few short months later. When I am not running Grow Jackson, I am working on my Masters in Social Work at the University of Michigan, spending time with family and friends, playing piano, hiking, reading, doing triathlons, or working in the community. I enjoy engaging with the community as a board member for True Community Credit Union, a board member for the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, and a board member for the Center for Family Health. It is a true pleasure to get to be back in my hometown working with students and community members to advance fresh food initiatives and make Jackson a better place for everyone.

Sara Toler -- Program Manager (she/her)

Hi Everyone! I am a Michigan transplant originally from Akron, Ohio and attended the University of Akron. My first job after college was working at the Akron-Canton Foodbank, where I was able to develop my passion for ending food insecurity and providing fresh food access for all. I have been a member of the Jackson community for close to 10 years. When I’m not watching my two teenage sons play sports, I enjoy camping, traveling, gardening and playing volleyball. My interests include spending time with family, community service and engaging with our youth. Specifically, my goal is to help instill better habits and support our mission of increasing fresh food access and education about nutrition. My favorite memory thus far with Grow Jackson has been physically working in the gardens and helping build the hoop house at the Lumen Christi High School location.

Lena Sixbery -- Farm Manager (she/her)

Hello I’m the farm manager of Grow Jackson, Lena Sixbery. I moved to Jackson in 2019, started volunteering at Grow Jackson in 2021, and now work as the farm manager. I have always loved to garden and grow food for my friends and family. Now I get to grow it for my community too! My high school years were spent working on an organic farm learning sustainable farming practices and attending the Jackson career center for their agricultural program. During college I started a microgreen business with my sister, which taught me a lot about managing garden spaces. I got to have a very hands-on education and I want to give that opportunity to everyone in Jackson through our gardens.

Chantel Arnold -- Summer Program Coordinator (she/her)

My name is Chantel Arnold. I am a graduate of Spring Arbor University with a Masters in Social Work. I am passionate about working with the youth and I also love interacting with members of the community. I have lived in Jackson for my entire life and genuinely enjoy meeting and engaging with our community members in new ways. As a fellow resident, I have seen first hand how food insecurity has implicated many individuals. Overall there continues to be an increase in food insecurity throughout Jackson. With that being said I understand the importance of advocating for human rights, therefore I feel a sense of responsibility to help obtain sustainability within our community. I am greatly looking forward to the positive impacts that can continuously be made through the work that can be done through Grow Jackson.

Delaney Cole -- Nutrition Program Coordinator (she/her)

Hi! My name is Delaney Cole, and I’m a Junior at Michigan State University studying Dietetics and Health Promotion. I grew up in Jackson, and have always had a passion for all aspects of nutrition, however I am especially focused on community nutrition and its role in making healthy living accessible to everyone. Working with Grow Jackson has given me a deeper understanding of food security in our community and the importance of improving access to fresh, nutritious food. It’s been so wonderful to be part of this organization, and I’m proud to play a role in empowering Jackson through fresh food access. As I continue my studies, I’m excited to keep learning, growing, and finding new ways to help the Jackson community thrive. After I graduate with my bachelor’s degree, I plan to pursue graduate school to become credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Outside of school and working with Grow Jackson, you can find me teaching cycling classes at MSU, interning with Michigan State’s Football nutrition program, spending time up north, and playing the piano.

Aleta Damm -- Education Program Coordinator (she/her)

My name is Aleta Damm and I am a lifelong resident of Jackson, Michigan. I am married with two grown children and one granddaughter. In my spare time I enjoy reading, hiking, and enjoying nature. I hold degrees from Eastern Michigan University and Concordia. My background is in education where I recently retired after 31 years teaching science education in the public schools. My expertise is in middle school education including curriculum writing. Through my experiences I have witnessed first hand the impact that food insecurity has on our community. Good quality fresh food is something that should be available to everyone whether it comes from local grocery stores, community gardens or personnel gardens. I believe that one of the most impactful ways to tackle food insecurity is through education. I firmly believe that we are all life long learners. It is my desire to become a Master Gardener where I can maximize my efforts within our community. Working together as a community we can accomplish great things and I am excited to be a part of that.

Our Board

Valerie Schuette – Board Chair (she/her)

My name is Valerie Schuette and I was born and raised in Jackson. I earned both my bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor from Michigan State University before returning back to Jackson to apply my knowledge in meaningful ways. I joined the board of Grow Jackson in March of 2024 as its missions and values align with my belief that everyone should have access to fresh food. As Chair of Grow Jackson's Board of Directors, I am committed to upholding the values and missions of our organization and working toward sustainable solutions that ensure all residents of Jackson County have access to nutritious food.

Nitin Jain – Board Vice Chair (he/him)

My name is Nitin Jain and I have been a proud member of the Jackson community for the last 13 years. I hold a master’s degree in kinesiology from Texas Christian University and I work as a physical therapist at Henry Ford Health in this area. I have decided to join Grow Jackson because I share its vision of expanding access to fresh food and creating a future for Jackson free of food insecurity. As a physical therapist, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that a healthy diet can have on a person’s overall well-being. It not only helps with physical health but also plays a significant role in mental health and quality of life. Everyone deserves the opportunity to have access to nutritious food, regardless of their income or location. I am looking forward to connecting and learning from the community of growers, volunteers and supporters who are part of Grow Jackson

Connor Maynard (he/him) — Director, Board Treasurer

Hey everyone! I am a recent graduate of Wayne State University where I studied Business Administration with a focus in Information System Management. I have been a resident of Jackson nearly my entire life and have a passion for providing fresh food access to everyone in our community. When I’m not helping on the board of Grow Jackson I work at Consumers Energy as the ITIL Incident and Problem Process Owner. In my free time I enjoy playing or watching pretty much any sport and spending time with my lovely wife, Elayna.

Carly Pampuch – Board Secretary (she/her)

My name is Carly Pampuch and I am a lifelong Jackson resident. I am a branch manager at Jackson District Library, where I have been serving our communities for almost 8 years now. In my free time I am a fiber artist and musician, and you may have seen my spouse in a variety of music groups throughout the years. I enjoy camping, hiking, and kayaking, I read about 100 books a year, and when I'm not fiddling you can find me walking my dog or watching a local band with knitting in my hands. I am so proud to be a part of Grow Jackson, I'm beyond grateful to be able to participate in an organization that aligns with my own values and does the work to support our community in health and equity through partnerships and programs that truly matter and make a difference.

Laura Coston – Director (she/her)

I am Laura Coston and I joined the board of Grow Jackson in February 2025. I’m proud to bring both my professional expertise and my deep-rooted passion for the Jackson community to this role. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and business and tax advisor at Rehmann, I specialize in serving public and nonprofit organizations. Throughout my career and community involvement, I’ve helped mission-driven organizations navigate complex challenges and strengthen their compliance and financial strategies. Now, as I step into this official role with Grow Jackson, my commitment to the organization’s mission—to build a healthier, more resilient community through food access and education—continues to grow stronger every day.

David Hammontree – Director (he/him)

I serve on Grow Jackson’s board because I value its innovative approach to expanding fresh food access and creating new spaces for connection and outreach. It’s rewarding work, and I applaud the progress Grow Jackson has made in such a short time. I've been a resident of the City of Jackson since 2010 and actively serve on various city and county commissions. I teach writing studies courses at Oakland University, where I also serve as the writing program administrator for the University’s First Year Writing Program. Throughout my career, I have taught in public, private, and two-year institutions. I am a past president and lifetime member of the Michigan Council of Teachers of English as well as a past steering committee member for the Michigan Liberal Arts Network for Development (LAND). My roots lie in the Central Illinois counties of Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford. I earned my Ph.D. in English Studies and an M.S. in English from Illinois State University. I also hold a B.A. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois Springfield.

Kayla Johnson (she/her) — Director

Hello everyone! My name is Kayla Johnson and I am a Jackson native. Currently, I am a Junior in the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health on a pre-health track with a hope to study nutrition and dietetics. I am very interested in studying the intersection between food insecurity and health outcomes as well. My interests include spending time with family, community service and engaging with our youth. Specifically, my goal is to help instill better habits and support our mission of increasing fresh food access and education about nutrition. My favorite memory thus far with Grow Jackson has been physically working in the gardens and helping build the hoop house at the Lumen Christi High School location.

Karsen McCord (she/her) - Director

Hi everyone! My name is Karsen McCord, and I am a recent graduate from The University of Michigan, where I studied Public Health Sciences with a minor in Biology. I currently work in Grand Rapids, Michigan as a health scientist for a scientific consulting firm. I adore learning about nutrition, food systems, and ways to improve population health, so I am ecstatic to be a part of this team. I have lived in Jackson my whole life, and the idea of taking what I’ve learned in the classroom and using it to help people I know and love is something I am incredibly grateful for and excited about. While I’m not working, I love to read, travel, and spend time outside with my friends and family.

Cierra Sylvester – Director (she/her)

Hello! My name is Cierra Sylvester, I recently graduated with my Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Strategic Leadership. I was born and raised here in Jackson Michigan. I have been employed with Henry Ford Jackson Hospital for the past ten years, and currently oversee Workforce Development for the Jackson area. This career has allowed me to build relationships with many amazing education and community partners in the Jackson area and allowed us to provide new opportunities to those within our community through these partnerships. The most rewarding aspect of my career has been the opportunity to connect with the youth within my community and gain a better understand of their needs. This is also why I am passionate about Grow Jackson’s goals and mission. Outside of my career I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and especially my son. Him and I enjoy exploring our favorite trail, playing video games, dancing, and arts and crafts.

Dodi Wheeler – Farm Market Manager (she/her)

My name is Dodi Wheeler and I’m proud to serve as manager of the Grand River Farmers Market since 2022. Overseeing a farmer’s market is not just a job for me; it’s continuation of a love for growing and sharing food, instilled by my parents, and a fulfilling part of my life that allows me to connect with my community, support local growers, and help make healthy, fresh food more accessible to everyone. As a lifelong Jackson resident, one of the things I enjoy most is the sense of community we create every week. I get to watch our team of vendors build personal and business relationships; we connect with customers, share stories, and celebrate the seasons through food. For me, being a market manager goes beyond organizing a place for people to shop—it’s about fostering sustainability and supporting small, family-owned farms. I’m particularly proud of how our market has become a hub for not just food, but also for local artists, musicians, educational programs and field trips, and even young entrepreneurs. Outside Grow Jackson, I love music, art, any live performance, being outside, traveling with my family, hobby gardening, and cooking good local food!

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