Our Team
Heidi Witmer, Founder and Executive Director
Heidi brings a unique blend of sustainable agriculture and youth development experience, having managed educational and production vegetable farms and spent 15 years in youth development and education. Inspired by her work with the United Nations in Kigali, Rwanda, and her experience as a school administrator, Heidi founded LEAF to connect the region’s vibrant agricultural community with meaningful employment opportunities for young people. Today, LEAF empowers youth to develop lifelong skills while strengthening connections between food, land, and community. Heidi lives on the LEAF Farm in Perry County with her family, and their dog, Poppy, who remains unconvinced that whitewater paddling is a worthwhile hobby.
ido shaham, farm manager
Ido joined LEAF Farm as Farm Manager in 2026. Before LEAF, he worked on a variety of farms, growing vegetables and developing a passion for healthy soil and sustainable agriculture. His approach to farming emphasizes long-term thinking, building healthy soil, and creating systems that thrive for years to come. Ido is passionate about high-quality food and helping young people connect with the land, discover new interests, and understand where their food comes from - all while learning that farming takes a little dirt, a lot of curiosity, and the occasional battle with weeds.
Emma Stone, Community Engagement manager
Emma is passionate about connecting people to LEAF’s mission through fundraising, community engagement, and storytelling that celebrates the power of meaningful youth employment. A LEAF alum herself, she first joined the organization as a youth crew member in 2017 and is passionate about helping the next generation discover their own leadership and make a lasting impact on their communities. When she’s not dreaming up ways to grow LEAF’s impact, you can probably find her enjoying good food, exploring somewhere new, or at the farmers market!
joshua manzo, farm apprentice/program specialist
Joshua’s path to farming was shaped by an experience living in the Alaskan wilderness that deepened his connection to the natural world and continues to guide him today. As a former LEAF Youth Crew member turned Crew Leader and now Farm Apprentice and Program Specialist, Joshua brings that sense of wonder and connection to his work with the land and the young people who care for it. He hopes to help others slow down, explore their relationship with the natural world, and discover what becomes possible when we feel more connected to the earth and one another.
brittany bankert-shaham, kitchen manager
Brittany joined LEAF as Kitchen Manager after a decade of experience in food systems work. She enjoys producing delicious and nutritious food and practicing big-hearted hospitality.
With a background in information science and economics, Brittany is especially interested in how thoughtful systems can support community resilience and sustainability.
Today at LEAF, Brittany helps bring the farm and kitchen together, facilitating welcoming opportunities for youth to explore food, practice resourcefulness, and develop practical and creative skills. She hopes her work inspires others to cultivate values of productivity, self-reliance, collaboration, and generosity.
kade connor, Program Specialist/Operations Support
Kade started with LEAF in 2026 as a Crew Leader before transitioning into their current role. Before joining LEAF, Kade studied Environmental Science and Women's Studies at Shippensburg University which provided a love for the outdoors and social justice. Kade hopes to use his knowledge to work towards teaching young people about environmental equity.
Our board members
kelly kundratic, Chair
Becky Hammell, Vice Chair
Joan Adams
Max Crumlich
Mackenzie Johnson
Machele Lynch
“We trust each other; we know that we can count on each other to complete a task. Sometimes times are tough, but everyone manages to pull together and continue working only creating a strong bond among us.
Andrew O’Rourke, 17
2015”
