Vijay Nazareth, Executive Director
Vijay Nazareth joined the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition as the organization’s second Executive Director in July 2022.
Vijay’s experience in the private sector and in nonprofit management and finance, combined with his passion for conservation in agriculture and environmental stewardship, will help to further advance our mission. He is a curious, collaborative, and results-oriented leader who brings strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to the role.
Vijay holds a Master of Science in Agriculture/Soil and Water Science from the University of Florida, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Connecticut. His academic research interests include the use of precision agriculture for sustainable intensification and soil and water management. He collaborated with the USDA Water Management Lab in Maricopa, AZ on improving water use efficiency for cotton in semi-arid climates. The research paper he co-authored with the USDA was recognized by The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).
He served as the Founder and Executive Director of Skills for Life, a nonprofit organization based in Frederick, Maryland dedicated to empowering youth through social entrepreneurship, gender equality, and career advancement. He was also the CEO of Exeter Capital Companies, specializing in institutional asset management, global market analysis, and portfolio structuring and management. He formerly served as a Food Security & Nutrition Consultant for the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington, DC, where he worked on projects in the areas of crop and climate water management, value chain enhancement, and climate risk mitigation.
Kate Longfield, Program Manager
Kate Longfield is originally from Cambridge Massachusetts, although considers Vermont home. She is currently pursuing her master’s in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont, specializing in both agricultural science and environmental law. She completed her bachelor’s of science in environmental studies from the same university, where she focused on Vermont land use, climate resilience, and policy. Kate has served Vermont through the ECO AmeriCorps program, as Assistant Water Quality Program Coordinator for the Northwest Regional Planning Commission in St. Albans, and Assistant Planner for the Vermont Land Trust. She has worked closely with dairy, livestock, and diversified farmers, and has also lived and worked on livestock farms in New England and abroad in Australia. Kate is thrilled to support Vermont’s dedicated farmers and stewards as the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition’s Program Manager. Kate lives in Richmond with her partner Spencer and spends her free time hiking, skiing, and exploring the Green Mountains.
