About Us

It takes a universe of effort to change a local food system to one that’s more locally based and secure.  We all come to this work because of a deep feeling of commitment to what we are doing.  The Network has come a long way since March 2020 and we continue to grow by leaps and bounds, even in the midst of COVID, fires and growing pains. We are currently undergoing an upgrade and inviting more of our community into our fold to help our community become more food sovereign.  Please join us!

In 2018, Pamm was still working on national food issues via her organization The Good Food Brigade. The mission was to get folks growing more of their own food via a Victory Garden campaign.  During that period, she also did a very deep dive into the climate situation. Much of the data she read, pointed to our region being one that had the capacity to support a reasonable population, if the worst scenario became reality.
Then on November 8, 2018, the Camp Fire burned her community down. It was a huge wake-up call to all in our county and impacted all of our psyches, if not our living situations. Pamm decided to abandon all other work and focus 100% of her efforts on the local food system right here in Butte County.  She took a year to get to know her community again, after working outside the area for so many years.  Then in October 2019, she changed the name of the organization to the Butte County Local Food Network to be more reflective of our mission and relaunched the organization with its own 501c3.  By March of 2020, we had our first Garden Blitz and have been growing ever since.
Our Core Team is still small and mighty, but our love for our community and our passion for food fuels all our programs. We invite you to meet our team and hear directly from them about why they are here. Feel free to contact any of them via our contact form and we will get you to the person you want to talk with.

Michael McGinnis ~ Board Treasurer

Michael is retired with over 50 years as a non-profit manager. He served as the Executive Director of the Arc of Butte County for 23 years. He was a two term Chico Councilmember (1988-1996, Mayor 1994-1996) and was currently elected to his second term on the Chico Area Parks and Recreation District, CARD. He is currently enjoying the birth of his first grandchild.

Ariana Gehrig ~ Board Member

I am a Northern California native who is passionate about promoting and protecting the rich agricultural resources that make CA one of the breadbaskets of the world. We are surrounded by an abundance of fresh local food and have the unique opportunity to support the farmers and the land that feeds us. I bring over 20 years of experience in agricultural production, field research and project management to the BCLFN board. My background reflects broad experience in organic row crop production, rice and quinoa seed research, and program management for USDA grant funded programs. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Plant Science and Land Resource Management from CSU Chico.

Nicole LaJeunesse ~ Grant Writer ~ Board Member

As a writer and editor with a passion for storytelling, I write grant proposals that connect the ideals of food sovereignty to BCLFN’s on-the-ground efforts. My passion for local food stems from a passion for delicious home cooked meals. Everyone has to eat, so I aim to eat well.

Rosemary Febbo ~ Admin Veterans Community Garden ~ Board Member

My relationship with food is one of the most important connections I have with my world.  I promote good food, slow food, local and sustainable food on a daily basis and have done this publicly for more than 40 years. I believe in supporting local farmers and helping others find the pleasure of gardening and growing their own food.  I produced and hosted Mama Rose’s Kitchen community radio show on KZFR 90.1 fm for over twelve years, and during that time was introduced to much of the local food scene.  I feel truly blessed living in the north state with the abundance of farm fresh food.

Our Origin Story

Maria Giovanni and Pamm Larry came together in 2017 to write a Local Food Assessment (LFA). At that time, Maria was a professor at CSU Chico (see her bio below). Pamm had worked on food policy issues from the state to the global level. Both felt that a LFA was a first step to bring together all the sectors of our local food system so we could start working together toward more food sovereignty. 
The small group that formed had a few meetings but did not have the capacity to focus on such a huge endeavor at that time. So, Pamm and Maria decided to switch the focus of their efforts to a more fun, grassroots, on-the-ground level effort and formed the Butte County Good Food Network. Together with Donna Garrison and a few others, they did a few events but, again, due to other jobs and focus, nothing much came of it.

Pamm Larry ~ Initial Instigator, Chief Rabble Rouser ~ Retired ~ Founding Member

I believe that working on food system issues enables me to work on all social issues from food security, to water issues, taking care of the planet, social justice, and building bridges in our divided culture...and, it’s tasty. To that end, I have my fingers in most of the projects we do, but love when others take the lead. It is a joy and an honor to work in a community that is doing all it can to heal in body, mind and spirit and keeps trying. I eagerly look forward to seeing the new food system we co-create for our current and future food security for generations to come.

Maria Giovanni ~ Advisor

Much of my life has been centered around making food and feeding people with family and in the community in my hometown of Willows, CA. I saw how incredibly hard farmers work to get food to us and have worked in a variety of jobs for large and small food companies. My experiences give me an understanding and a concern about our global food system and the importance of food sovereignty, so I am excited to be part of the Butte County Local Food Network to ensure that we are all well-nourished, in body, mind, and spirit! Specific projects include the Butte County Food Assessment, collecting information to share with consumers, producers, and decision makers, and having fun!

Donna Garrison ~ Board Adminstrator ~ Market Mobile Director

Growing and cooking organic food has always been one of my greatest passions. Having an abundance of farms nearby makes Butte County such an enriched community! I love supporting farmers and developing beautiful relationships with them. My role with BCLFN is working with these farmers, and the Marketmobile bringing fresh organic local food to our nearby communities. Cooking food with local ingredients is one of my greatest loves in life and I bring that love to the Network and my community by creating farm-to-table dinners. I am also the bookkeeper and do all the things that need doing.

Debbe Gagne ~ Master Gardener~ Board Member

I have been a passionate organic gardener for over 20 years. In 2024 I became a Butte County Master Gardener. Moving to Chico 7 years ago and newly retired I made a commitment to support local farmers and help the community’s need for educating our youth on gardening and freh food as well as providing healthy food choices for all families. BCLFN was the perfect fit!

Courtney Ellington ~ Farmer ~ Board Member

~ Our Staff ~

Linen Cannon ~ Manager for the Market Mobile

I work as the Market Mobile Manager. I love getting to help people have more access to local food. I look forward to seeing this program progress and seeing the communities I work with gain greater strength and power over the sourcing and quality of their food. I’m also a major home-cooking food fanatic and will gladly converse with most people about their own food projects.

Desiree Norwood ~ Market Mobile Supervisor ~ Garden Builder

I am a full time philosophy student and passionate gardener. I bring hands on experience and a reflective approach to working with food insecurity. I value supporting local farmers, sustainable farming practices and sharing food with the community.

I also love grooming poodles!

Shelley Miller ~ Resident Artist ~ GROWN Program ~ 1000 acres More

(Facilitator of Flourishing Futures) I’m an artist, educator, and plant lover who believes the best learning happens when your hands are a little dirty and your creativity is turned on. With a background in Early Childhood Education, I enjoy helping children and communities discover where food comes from, how nature supports us, and how creativity can bring it all together.

Through garden-based learning, I work to nurture confidence, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility in young people, showing them that they are capable of caring for living things and making a positive impact in their world. My goal is to create welcoming spaces where people feel inspired, capable, and connected, while also planting seeds of resilience, optimism, and lifelong appreciation for nature.

April Mangino ~ GROWN Program ~ MarketMoblie Assistant ~ Artist

~ Our Board ~