OUR TEAM
They say the whole is only as good as the sum of its parts. The same is true of the Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development. Our staff members are the driving force behind our work. Please get in touch if we can help you in any way.
Our Staff
JEANNE DAVIES, AICP
Executive Director
Jeanne joined CT RC&D as its first Executive Director in 2016 for the primary reason that she was inspired by the dedication of the CT RC&D volunteers and partners and the organizations’ mission to promote economic prosperity that is environmentally resourceful.
In addition to providing overall leadership to the organization in the pursuit of its core mission, her day to day CT RC&D responsibilities are to support and advise staff, council members, nonprofit partners and clients with strategies, funding, and efficient timelines to foster grassroots where volunteer time and enthusiasm is available.
Throughout her career, Jeanne has worked to improve life in the areas of conservation, transportation access, infrastructure, community revitalization, emergency management and sustainable land use for residents in Connecticut’s communities. She has over 30 years of experience in local, regional, state, and federal planning; fiscal, human, and resource management; and program-project implementation, including work with advocacy, diversity, waste management, capital projects, grants management and natural hazard mitigation.
Jeanne is a member of the American Planning Association and Chair of the Connecticut Chapter’s Program Committee. She is also a member of the Southern New England APA Conference Committee. She has served as Vice Chair of the CTDEMHS Region 2 Regional Emergency Planning Committee, Chair of the DEMHS Region 2 Transportation ESF Committee, Co-Chair of the DEMHS 2 Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee, and as a member of the Southeastern CT Enterprise Region (SeCTer) Finance Loan Committee, she has served as Chair of the SCRRRA Recycle Council.
Jeanne has B.A. in government studies from Clark University in Worcester, an M.S. in Geography- Community Planning from Central CT State University, as well as post graduate studies with the University of Akron’s Planning Department in the Netherlands. Jeanne is an accredited planner with the American Institute of Certified Planning (AICP) and also received FEMA ICS certification through EMI, economic development certification through CEDAS/CTDECD, as well as numerous FHWA certifications in Transportation and Freight Planning.
In her time away from CT RC&D, Jeanne enjoys writing, travel, painting, composing music, gardening, hiking or relaxing with family & friends, often while enjoying summer sunsets at the family camp.
AMANDA FARGO JOHNSON
Agricultural Programs Director
Amanda Fargo-Johnson has been a CT RC&D employee for over 18 years working on such programs as the Connecticut Environmental Review Team Program, AGvocate Program, CT Farm Energy Program, CT Soil Health Initiative, No-Till/Cover Crop Equipment Hubs, FarmUP & Veteran FarmUP, and other CT RC&D agriculture programs & projects. In addition, has been assigned to be the CT Farm Energy Program Director. As staff she spearheaded the CT Farm Energy Program from its infancy when it began as a pilot project back in 2009 and has grown it into a successful statewide program aiding farm owners and rural small businesses across CT. To date the CT Farm Energy Program has helped to implement over 25 million dollars in energy projects by providing assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in applying for the USDA RD REAP grant/loan program. Through her role at CT RC&D Amanda serves on the CT Energy Efficiency Board, CT Compost Alliance, CCSWC Soil Health Committee, Working Lands Alliance Steering Committee a project of American Farmland Trust, and the CT Chapter of Farmer Veteran Coalition. Amanda is a University of Connecticut graduate in 2001 with a dual degree in Natural Resources Management & Engineering as well as Landscape Architecture. She is active in her community by volunteering in her town, she was a founding member and Vice Chair of her Town’s Agriculture Commission and was a founding and organizing member of the popular Bozrah Farmers Market for its first 7 years.
JANE FLYNN
Financial Administrator
Jane brings more than 20 years of business accounting experience to her role as financial administrator.
Her experience with state contracts, budgeting, financial statements, payroll along with all audit and tax compliance reporting, will aid her in her new role.
Jane, a CT native, is an ardent outdoorsman. Her passion for conservation and sustainability for CT will pair with that of the mission of CT RC&D.
JILLIAN SHEA
Education Outreach Coordinator
Her name is Jillian, but you might know her as Farmer Jill. She’s spent the past 14 years managing organic vegetable farms across the United States with a focus on educating youth about plants. From ag-based boarding schools in Vermont, pepper and lavender fields in New Mexico, Urban Homesteads in Florida to Aquaponic startups in Connecticut, Jillian has found a way to always prioritize youth engagement in agriculture.
All of this experience has led her to where she is now, as the Youth Education Coordinator for CT RC&D. Jillian is passionate about bringing meaningful career opportunities in conservation and agriculture to young people in Connecticut through hands-on internships and outreach programs through our organization.
In her spare time, Jillian runs Plant Nights at local venues around the state, farms her own slice of backyard paradise, and hunts down the best waterfalls in the Northeast with her husband.
Highlights: Connecticut Accredited Nursery Professional, CT Young Farmers Alliance Member, CT & MASS NOFA speaker, CT Horticulture Society Member, Urban Farm University Podcast Guest, Produce Safety Alliance Certified, Seafood HACCP Certified, Featured in Women and AG
Tara Cleary
Administrative Financial Coordinator
Tara Cleary joined CT RC&D with both a technology and financial background. She has over 20 years of experience in Accounting, Information Technology and Business Operations. Tara has worked handling financial information including both accounts receivables and payables, contracts / agreements, and payroll. She has an in-depth knowledge of IT related systems and the integration needed for financial operations. She also has experience in the non-profit space in both IT and business operations. Tara received her Associates from Colby-Sawyer College in New London, NH and her Bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University. A lifetime CT resident, Tara lives locally and away from work, you can find her spending time with her husband and three children.
Chris Roberts
Assistant Planner
Chris is a recent graduate from Central Connecticut State University with a Major in Geography and a Minor in GIS. Looking to gain experience and apply his knowledge and skills to the field he joined the CT RC&D team in the role of assistant planner.
His educational background and passion for planning and the environment make for a great fit for the CT RC&D team.
Job Jump Start Personnel
The Job Jumpstart Program is funded through a cooperative agreement with NRCS to team new conservation planners with NRCS mentor staff to learn skills and gain the experience required to become certified conservation planners or soil engineer technicians.
SAM BELANGER
BEN ROOSA
“I loved working with CTRC&D and NRCS because I got to collaborate cross-disciplinarily with conservation planners, soil scientists, and engineers; spend days out in the field and catch beautiful pastoral views; increase my comfort with making GIS maps; and engage with land-stewarding, proactive farmers. In the end, my experience in the JJS program launched me into a position working directly with NRCS!”