MEET OUR STAFF
Hayley Ball ● Executive Director
hayleyball@urbanrootsmn.org, Pronouns: She/Her
After Hayley graduated from Augsburg University with a BA in History, her career followed a few different paths, but all of them had one thing in common: a passion for creating equitable life-long learning opportunities. Previously she was the Adult & Community Programs Coordinator for TriDistrict Community Education – serving three major school districts in Dakota County. In her spare time, she also facilitates training sessions and workshops on addressing and dismantling structural inequities and creating inclusive spaces. She is very excited to have a position where she can align her personal passion for food justice and conservation into her professional life. When she’s not working, Hayley enjoys spending time with her family, camping and baking.
Sara Johnson, ScD ● Development and Events Manager
sjohnson@urbanrootsmn.org, Pronouns: She/Her
Sara’s education and career began in agricultural engineering and included an internship in the hydroponic greenhouses at Walt Disney World’s Living with the Land attraction! She then earned a Master of Science in Foods and Nutrition from Purdue University and a Doctor of Science in Epidemiology and Nutrition from the Harvard School of Public Health. Sara later worked in development at urban nonprofits with youth development programs. She enjoys supporting the missions of nonprofits and is especially happy to draw on her experiences and passions to connect people to Urban Roots. She wants to see Urban Roots’ vision come true—a world where all communities have unlimited access to nature and healthy food. Sara’s favorite activities outside of work include spending time with family, seeing new places, reading, and outdoor activities.
Zarea Mobley ● Alumni ● Office Manager
zmobley@urbanrootsmn.org, Pronouns: She/Her
Zarea started at Urban Roots in the youth intern program, and has grown her skills to become a regular staff member! She fell in love with the work and the community. Now she wants to continue to build her skills in admin and management. As the Administrative Assistant, Zarea plays a crucial role in facilitating day-to-day operations at our offices. In the summertime, she’ll occasionally get her hands dirty, helping maintain the urban farm and work one on one with youth interns. One of her favorite projects has been developing the Rivoli Bluff Farm and Restoration Site-the newest and largest site that Urban Roots farms. Zarea also attends Augsburg University full time where she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree.
Imogene Silver ● Alumni ● Communications Assistant
isilver@urbanrootsmn.org, Pronouns: She/Her
Imogene joined the Urban Roots team as a youth intern when she was 14 years old and has continued to work with the organization since then! Through the Garden & Cooking programs, she not only learned the ins and outs of the kitchen and gardens but practiced leadership and mentoring skills to advance into an administrative role. She is part-time at Urban Roots while she attends the University of Minnesota School of Engineering.
Jaclyne Jandro ● Market Garden Program Director
Jaclyne joined Urban Roots in 2016 after ten years tutoring or teaching biology to youth in the public schools of St. Paul, five seasons working on organic vegetable farms (including Open Hands Farm, Loon Organics, and Gardens of Eagan), and many years of outdoor education at YMCA Camp Widjiwagan. She most recently earned a master’s degree in teaching at Hamline. Jaclyne is thrilled to have a position that combines all of these experiences. She brings with her experience writing curriculum, the joy of working with the students of St. Paul, and a love of healthy food and the outdoors. Jaclyne spends her free time with her three energetic sons, coaching Nordic skiing at Highland Park Senior High, riding her bike, or exploring the outdoors however possible.
David Woods ● Conservation Program Director
dwoods@urbanrootsmn.org, Pronouns: He/Him
Growing up, David had a passion for finding beauty in the blend of natural and urban environments. While obtaining his B.A. in Biology, Society and the Environment from the U of M, David helped share that passion with children visiting the Bell Museum of Natural History, working as an environmental educator. After graduating, David gained experience in the field as an Americorps member for the New Hampshire and Minnesota Conservation Corps. In his 5 years as the Conservation Program Manager at Urban Roots, he leads youth interns in conservation projects ranging from habitat restoration, rain gardens, and pollinator work to engage the community in our local parks. When not at Urban Roots, David enjoys playing music and biking around town.
Thia Xiong ● Conservation Program Manager
txiong@urbanrootsmn.org, Pronouns: She/Her
Thia was born and raised in Mni Sóta Maḳoce and takes pride living and working in the Eastside community of Imnížaska Othuŋwe. She is a creative whose work is inspired by exploration, sense of place, and the natural world, and has ventured to every corner of this state, hiking all 75 state parks and state recreation areas. After graduating from Hamline University with her Master of Arts in Education: Natural Science and Environmental Education degree, Thia worked for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), gaining community outreach and programming experience in the field of conservation. She is ecstatic to be working for Urban Roots, a space where both her personal and professional mission, values, and passion for community and conservation intertwine and align.
Sam Mockert ● Conservation Program Outreach Coordinator
smockert@urbanrootsmn.org, Pronouns: He/Him
Sam Mockert served with Minnesota Greencorps at Urban Roots from 2022-2023 before becoming the Conservation Program’s Outreach Coordinator in 2024. Before working at Urban Roots, he graduated with a degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. In his free time, Sam enjoys exploring the city, playing music and writing bios in the third person.
Skyler Hawkins ● Farm Director
shawkins@urbanrootsmn.org, Pronouns: He/Him
Skyler’s fascination with food production was sparked as a teenager while living with subsistence farmers on the southern island of New Zealand. His passion for taking under-utilized, vacant land and transforming it into productive, community-centered spaces allows his passion for design and community engagement to blend with his eight years of farming experience. He has worked on CSA’s, with market gardens, and mission-driven and permaculture farms from Spain and Scotland to Duluth -and now St. Paul! Skyler believes people tell each other the best stories when they’re growing, cooking, and eating food together!
Astrid Berger ● Cook Fresh Program Manager
aberger@urbanrootsmn.org, Pronouns: She/Her
Astrid’s interest in youth environmental work was inspired by global and local educational movements of land-based education. After receiving a community project fellowship through Macalester College, Astrid began chose to work with Urban Roots in the summer of 2022 on an ongoing anthology called Food Stories which seeks to share the recipes and stories of intergenerational members of the East Side. Along with her love for reading, cooking, hiking, art, and food preservation, she is passionate about engaging with the works of educational leaders, including her own professors. She hopes to embody lessons from these mentors in her new role as both an educator and community member of the East Side. She thanks everyone for such a warm welcome into Urban Roots — and is beyond excited to continue her work with the fantastic young people and staff as we explore food + cooking through the lenses of land, culture, and community.
Marcos Giossi ● Market Garden Farm Manager
MGiossi@urbanrootsmn.org, Pronouns: He/Him
Marcos is passionate about land access, environmental education, community resilience and environmental justice. He loves playing in the dirt, cooking for friends, and plucking at his guitar. He has a B.S. in Biology and is a graduate of the Farm Beginnings Program (Land Stewardship Project).
Alfredo Alvarado ● Alumni ● Market Garden Mobile Market Coordinator
AAlvarado@urbanrootsmn.org, Pronouns: He/Him
Alex Kucich ● Conservation Program Coordinator
AKucich@urbanrootsmn.org, Pronouns: He/Him