Meet our Staff and Volunteers July 2020

Rachael Moran: Place- Based Livestock Instructor

Rachael Moran has been the Livestock Instructor at MSU Tollgate Farm since April of 2019. She works diligently to provide excellent care for all the animals on site as well as to support educational programming, day camps, and the Tollgate 4H club.

Rachael has experience with all kinds of livestock but is most passionate about horses. She was a very active United States Pony Club member growing up and enjoyed participating in eventing competitions with her thoroughbred, Sport. She also loves driving horses, especially draft horses! Before joining the Tollgate team, Rachael was a teamster and drove teams of draft horses for Wolcott Mill Metropark. Thank you for all you do for our livestock and visitors Rachael!

Wayne Watson: Maple Sugaring Volunteer

Wayne has been a tireless volunteer for Tollgate’s maple syrup and garden programs for many, many years. Wayne does all of the little, and not so little, things necessary to keep the maple syrup project running smoothly. He helps cut firewood and is one of the key volunteers who maintains the maple sap collection system. Although over 80, Wayne’s dynamic energy amazes all who know him. He is one of the many volunteers who are key to Tollgate’s success. Thanks Wayne for all that you do for the farm!

Will Jaquinde: Sustainable Agriculture Instructor

In 2016 Will Jaquinde joined the Tollgate team and created the sustainable agriculture program, including managing the CSA and developing the apprenticeship program. Today the sustainable ag. program has seen tremendous (sustainable) growth and continues to add new elements, including a farm incubator, farm to table events and more. A native Michigander, Will completed his grad degree at MSU in the department of Community Sustainability and looks forward to continuing to support small and beginning farmers with MSU Extension. Thank you Will for all you do at Tollgate!

Mary Hutka: Tollgate Farm 4-H Club

Mary Hutka has been the leader of the Tollgate Farm 4-H Club for more than 10 years and a recipient of the 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award. The Club provides opportunities for youth to participate in farm animal care, garden work, soap making, to raise funds through farm stand sales, and to help with events like Pumpkinfest and Maple Sugaring. Club youth have also been awarded MSU Pre-College Scholarships and Michigan State Fair Urban Farming Scholarships. Mary has encouraged youth members to participate in Oakland County and Michigan State Fairs and developed a leasing program to support youth competing in livestock showmanship at these fairs. Before the stay home, stay safe order, Mary spent many hours on the farm leading Club events and helping care for Tollgate’s livestock. Now that screened volunteers have returned to Tollgate, Mary has once again generously volunteered to help. Thank you Mary for making the Tollgate Farm 4-H club such an enriching opportunity for youth!

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