Our Current Board Members elected January 30, 2025!
Amber Gould – President
Bio: Amber is a dynamic creative and mystic in the matrix who centers the practice of Active Hope. Amber has a deep dedication to regenerative, practical, and responsive land-based lifeways that connect people together and create village dynamics. Genuine and present with a dedication to nurturing connections, Amber is a believer, beyond all reason, in the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible, and that we all have a role to play in creating that world, one conscious, compassionate and audacious act at a time.
Jacqueline Huddleston – Secretary
Bio: A founding member of Skookum, Jacqueline served on the board for 2 years in the early days of the co-op. For the last 5 years she has been busy forming and developing Hearthstone Village, a local cohousing cooperative where she lives. Now with her house built and their membership growing, she once again has time to volunteer for Skookum. With a background in food processing and small animal husbandry she has hosted many workshops, socials and work parties. Her passion and enthusiasm lies in membership engagement, and she plans on organizing events where members of Skookum can share and continue to grow their knowledge of healthy food systems.
Chelsea Friesen – Director at Large
Erica Govier – Director at Large
Bio: Erica is a local market gardener and she enjoys working with local farmers. She would like to focus on inter generational learning with Skookum and is also passionate about teaching and learning food production skills.
Brian Hiebert – Director at Large – Gleaner Organizer
Bio: Brian has a deep love, respect, and gratitude for plants and the earth that is sustaining life. He feels local food is important to foster community and deepen our sense of physical, social and emotional wellbeing. He enjoys gardening, foraging, fishing, practicing herbalism, and woodworking with sustainably sourced wood. Brian believes and has experienced to some degree that nurturing healthy relationships with community and all living things around us can bring a deeper sense of belonging, purpose and security.
Kelly Von Bargen – Director at Large
Bio: In 2012, I came to qathet area to house and garden sit. When I realized people grow kiwis, citrus and peaches here I was convinced, this is paradise. We live in an abundant forest community with one of the longest growing seasons in the country.
My partner and I now have a lovely home in Townsite/Tiskwat and two beautiful kids who recognize edible forest foods while we are out hiking. I’m incredibly passionate about growing local food, and putting it up for the winter! I believe local food should be accessible, enjoyable and is a necessary part of building a healthy community. I’ve met so many people teaching sourdough workshops, helping folks prune their fruit trees, and foraging for wild foods. My hopes are to help foster more opportunities for people to gain confidence to grow more food and enjoy delicious meals with friends. Bon appétit.
Aaron Mazurek – Director At Large – Central Market Planning Committee
Aaron is a full time organic farmer in qathet, also working as an organic farm inspector on Vancouver Island. He sits on the Powell River Farmers’ Agricultural Institute and qathet Agricultural Advisory Boards. Aaron is dedicated to growing and distributing local food and building our region’s food security and self reliance. After years of conversations with food consumers and farmers, he has teamed up with other local advocates to start the Central Farmers’ Market Committee. The Committee’s goal is to further expand locally grown and produced food in our region.