Jonah’s Next Adventure

As an organization steeped in navigating change, we know transitions can be bittersweet. While we will miss having him on our team, we are excited for Jonah Fertig-Burd’s new phase as he transitions from his time with us as Food Systems Community Partner to work as an independent consultant, facilitator and coach in food, housing, arts, and wellness, while also growing his cooperative business, Celebration Tree Farm & Wellness Center.  

Jonah joined Sewall in 2020 and has led the work of shaping our food systems focus area. With Jonah’s deep experience and networks in food systems in Maine and the region, Sewall’s focus area has taken shape and deepened connections. During Jonah’s time at Sewall, our food systems focus area has further developed to support healthy, just, regenerative, equitable, and cooperative food systems. Jonah has helped us move closer to our vision of a Maine food system that supports people, communities and the planet and is aligned with the emergent strategies, vision, and broader goals of existing food justice networks. We are grateful to Jonah for his time with us and excited for his next adventure, where we know, he will continue to work towards a just and thriving food system. 

We are taking this opportunity to consider what it takes to do work in a relational and trust-based manner and assessing our internal capacity needs. Over the next many weeks, we will share our plans for staffing the food systems focus area. Existing grantees may continue to contact Jonah until October 31st.