Our Staff & Board

Executive Director

Originally from Ontario, the granddaughter of subsistence farmers and failed grocery store owners, Alison Lynes has enjoyed collaborating with seed sellers, small groceries, farms, developers, food agencies and municipalities to build community and resource the local foodshed. Working with the Halifax Brewery Farmers’ Market Cooperative since 2017, and previously managing a market in Northern Ontario, Alison brings direct experience with starting and strengthening markets to Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia.

Administrative Officer

Born and raised on the North Shore of Nova Scotia, Whitney Cruikshank grew up in a tight knit family with strong ties to farming, advocacy, writing and publications, as well as a strong belief in the healing power of a salty treat. After finishing her journalism degree, she ditched the graduation ceremony for a farming apprenticeship in a rural Northern Ontario setting, and returned home to replicate her own chaotic version of that life on the South Shore, amongst friends. She juggles two Market Manager positions as well as administrative duties for FMNS, and when she isn’t working there’s a husband, three kids, some cows, chickens, cats, dogs and sheep for entertainment, too. Whitney loves coffee, chips, storytelling and cozy campfires, ideally in that order.

Treasurer

Born in Toronto to Hungarian refugee parents who arrived in Canada with nothing but determination and a strong work ethic, Judith Kovacs learned early the value of hard work, community, and fresh, nourishing, food. She moved to HRM in 1999 to build a better life for her family. Now a retired CPA, and following a career in finance, including roles with a Crown Corporation and the Nova Scotia Government,  she feels strongly about supporting Nova Scotia farmers and farmers markets and believes everyone should have access to fresh, local food at a fair and reasonable price.

Membership & Programs Lead

A longtime farmers’ market supporter, Alicia Steeves comes to the cooperative with a love of local food and craft. Alicia has worked on several certified organic mixed vegetable farms, been a farmers’ market vendor, and is a florist whose inspiration stems from growing and designing with local flowers. With a background in writing and photography, along with over five years of experience as the social media coordinator for the award-winning Halifax Crafters Society craft market, Alicia is passionate about promoting local products, makers and markets by
telling their stories.

President

Passionate about food security, Steph Osberg is actively involved in the food movement in Halifax. They are a graduate of the Food Leadership Program through the Ecology Action Center. Excited to contribute to the vital work of Farmers Markets Nova Scotia (FMNS), they strive to ensure food security in their home province.

Steph is a dedicated to making a positive impact and serving their community through their active involvement in food security initiatives.

Secretary

Kerry Walkins was born and raised in Ontario, and spent some time in British Columbia before her family made Cape Breton home in 2016. Kerry wears many hats, including Manager of the Mabou Farmers’ Market, farmer on her family hobby farm, mother of 3, volunteer and student. She is dedicated to building communities, strengthening local food systems and being a lifelong learner.

Member at Large

Reza Nematollahi is the Market Manager at Alderney Landing Farmers’ Market and a dedicated advocate for local resilience and community wellbeing. From a young age, he was involved in his family-run food bank alongside his parents, shaping his lifelong commitment to food security and community support.
Since moving to Nova Scotia in 2023, Reza has built a strong foundation in community service through his work and volunteer involvement with Spencer House, ISANS, and the Halifax Public Library.
Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management from the Iran University of Medical Sciences, Reza brings strategic insight and organizational leadership to strengthening regional food systems. As a board member, he is committed to advancing food security and community resilience to help build a more sustainable future for all Nova Scotians.

Communications & Creative Lead

Emily Lawrence combines artistry, marketing and culinary experience and bakes it at 350 degrees. Raised working in her family’s bakery, she’s always been passionate about the connection between food, craft and community. As an artist and maker, she has an affinity for the visual language of marketing through photography and digital storytelling. Emily has worked as a promotions specialist and recipe developer for a range of food and craft focused businesses and organizations. For over a decade, she has dedicated her time and energy to organizing events, fundraisers, workshops, and art exhibitions within activist and creative community spaces. In her spare time, Emily can be found baking cakes and growing flowers.

Vice-President

Kristi Russell re-located to Nova Scotia with her family from Ontario in 2013. Interested in living a more self-sufficient lifestyle, they left the hustle and bustle of city life and headed to rural NS where they started a hobby farm. Kristi and her husband, Colin began as vendors selling at the New Glasgow Farmers Market selling jams, jellies and sticky buns and eggs. In 2015, Kristi began her current role as Market Manager. Over the past 8 years, Kristi has focussed her attention on learning more about agriculture, using her varied career experience to support small local businesses and increase local food security. She is passionate about her community and is always excited to work with others to shape the future.

Member at Large

Ocean Le plays a pivotal role in fostering inclusivity and cultural diversity within the community. He works at the Cape Breton Partnership, overseeing the Connector Program—an island-wide initiative dedicated to helping newcomers and local graduates build strong professional networks across Cape Breton.

Ocean is the co-chair of the Belonging Working Group part of the Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership, working to create a more welcoming environment for all newcomers. Ocean is also the Director of Junior Programming at Cromarty Tennis Club and Sydney River, where he combines his love for sports with his skills as a certified tennis instructor.

Member at Large

Shelley McDermott operates TwinAitch Food for Thought, a free range livestock farm, with her partner Simon in Aaldersville, Lunenburg County. With over 17 years of farming experience, she transitioned to full-time farming in 2019 with the purchase of a new property. Since then, they have expanded their operations to include a licensed meat processing facility and a certified kitchen directly on the farm, ensuring the highest quality standards for their meat and delicious prepared food items. Their commitment to sustainable farming and full-circle food production reflects Shelley’s belief in transparency, quality, and community food resilience.