OUR TEAM

We are proud to have a diverse, knowledgeable and skilled team of individuals who are very passionate about our mission.

Erica Fearn
Erica FearnExecutive Director
Erica has been serving not for profit associations and societies for over twenty years. As an executive director, she strategically implements board objectives including governance, membership, grassroots activities and programs. Fearn is the recipient of the 2012 RISE Excellence in Grassroots Advocacy Award presented for her work with the Connecticut Environmental Council.

Erica is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She began her career as a retail store manager for Agway. Her experience running a retail operation focused on customer service and increasing sales and profit margin. After six years with Agway, Erica changed her career from retail to non-profit management. She served as Connecticut Farm Bureau’s executive director and American Farm Bureau Federation’s Area Director of Program and Policy Coordination for the Northeast Region. In 2002 Fearn achieved her Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives. Fearn is principle of Mainspring Association Management LLC, an association management company located in East Granby. You can reach her by dialing 860.242.7144 x101 or by email at efearn@auerfarm.org

Mark DiBella
Mark DiBellaOffice Manager
Mark joined the Auerfarm family in January of 2009 and hasn’t regretted the decision once. You couldn’t ask for a better view when driving up Auer Farm Road on my way to work. From the deer, turkey, coyote, bob cats and the occasional bear, it’s extremely hard to be in a bad mood when you arrive at the office. “Even though the last couple of years have been challenging to say the least, I think we’ve done a great job and I couldn’t be prouder of the people that I work with or what we have accomplished”. You can reach Mark by dialing 860.242.7144 x170 or by email at mdibella@auerfarm.org
Jonni Marshall
Jonni MarshallDirector of Education & Auer Camp Director
Jonni joined the Auerfarm team in September of 2019. She has a passion for farm-based education and previously was the Director of Educational Programs at another local farm. She studied Elementary Education with a concentration in Fine Art at the University of Vermont and went on to get her Master’s Degree in Education and teaching certification at Lesley University. Her strong love of outdoor education and farming stem from her childhood when she was exposed to a variety of unique experiences with her family. “Sharing the adventure of learning on the farm brings me great joy; teaching children and offering hands-on experiences in a unique environment is fundamental”. You can reach Jonni by dialing 860.242.7144 x103 or by email at jmarshall@auerfarm.org
Simone Upsey
Simone UpseyProgram and Community Advancement Manager
Simone Upsey’s personal and professional passion has always been to help enrich quality of care and impact positive change. Her past experiences have included working on local, national, and international levels, primarily in the non-profit sector; American Cancer Society, Connecticut Science Center, International League Against Epilepsy, and Hebrew Healthcare.

The bulk of her experience has been in community relations, corporate and foundation relations, communications, and fundraising for organizations providing access to care and education for various healthcare and education organizations.
She has been involved with 4-H since the age of nine, and currently is on the board of Trustees for the Hartford County 4-H Camp. She joined Auerfarm as a volunteer in 2020 and joined the staff team in May 2021. You can reach Simone by dialing 860.242.7144 x102 or by email at supsey@auerfarm.org.

Ben Carroll
Ben CarrollAnimal Care Specialist
My name is Ben Carroll. I started volunteering at the farm during the school year in January 2010. I became an employee in July 2013. I love to feed the animals and take care of them. I know all the animals by name and I talk to them every day when I arrive and before I leave. This is the perfect job for me and I always do my best. I like to go to all the fairs, especially the Big E, and I love to visit zoos. 
Thalia Watson
Thalia WatsonAuerfarm Volunteer
Hi! My name is Tahlia Watson and I am a volunteer and 4-H’er here at Auerfarm and have been volunteering for the last 11 years and doing 4-H for the last 7. I enjoy doing 4-H, volunteering, taking care of the animals and working with others. I’m a junior 4-H leader and have an art club program within the Auerfarm 4-H club and hope to be a leader soon!

  • Pam Adams – Instructor
  • Kim Christophel – Instructor
  • Kyle Conard – Instructor
  • Colleen Murphy – Instructor
  • Elaina Raymond – Instructor
  • Laura Pallandre – Instructor
  • Makayla Joyce – Instructor

  • Ben Carroll – Farm Assistant
  • Thalia Watson – Farm Assistant

  • Mary Eberle
  • Aaron “Woody” Hess
  • Martha Hess
  • David Kopp
  • David Lee
  • Emilee Mooney Scott
  • Kevin Palache
  • Vikki Reski
  • Carlos Rosales
  • Philip Schenck
  • Jeffrey Small
  • Mark Weisman
  • Danielle Wong

Ex-Officio

  • Bonnie Burr
  • Jen Cushman

Emeritus

  • Dr. Lynn Brown
  • Earl Gardener
  • Mary Catherine (Kate) Healey
  • Ben Kille
  • Marlene Mayes
  • Nick Miller
  • Beth Salesedo