About Us

Executive Director

Jaime Castoro, LEED AP BD+C

Jaime Castoro believes that access to fresh food is a human right. She is passionate about creating pathways for all people to access fresh, locally-grown food. Jaime joined The Fruitful Field team in August 2022 after being associated with The Dania Beach PATCH for eight years. She believes collaboration with like-minded individuals and entities will build a more robust food system. Jaime is interested in creating programming that teaches others about growing, preparing, and distributing food. Research shows that local food systems provide better health and economic opportunities for all.

Email: jaime@thefruitfulfield.org

Farm Manager

Noah Siegel

Noah’s main mission is to feed ALL! He has experience growing all over the world from the mountains of Thailand to the deserts of New Mexico. Noah has his Masters of Science in Regenerative Organic Agriculture and is pursing a PHD in Sustainable Agriculture. He strives to be a conduit of love and peace by growing food for our community.

Email: FM@thefruitfulfield.org

Coordinator

William Sidwell

Will manages The Patricia Davis Community Garden, the Green Market Pompano Beach, and also The Fruitful Field monthly market. William is an alumni of The Fruitful Field – he is a graduate of our very first grow city youth program and found his passion working with us.

William has his A.S degree in landscape and horticulture.

He has a huge heart. He believes everyone deserves access to fresh all natural produce!

Email: PDCG@thefruitfulfield.org

Phone: 561-245-0815

Our Volunteers

We love our Volunteers at The Fruitful Field! Without the support of volunteers, we could not fulfill our mission. We welcome Volunteers, of any ability or age, to bring something new to our operation. The Fruitful Field cherishes our volunteers and are grateful for their help. Join our volunteer community.

Lucas Hollar PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Public Health within Nova Southeastern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, and he is a co-principle investigator for evaluation of  Regional Health Planning Council’s “Transforming Our Community’s Health” (TOUCH), made possible with funding through a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Community Transformation Grant. Lucas teaches courses in program planning and evaluation, organization behavior and leadership, and grant writing. His current research focuses on organizational change and development for patient-centered medical homes, childhood obesity, and public health theory.

Based on his research, Lucas is a co-author on manuscripts published in American Journal of Public Health, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, and Journal of the American Dietetic Association. To The Fruitful Field, Lucas brings skills and experiences useful for defining and articulating organizational purposes; deciphering organizational priorities, given organizational missions and values; and matching organizational activities to organizational goals in an attempt to maximize organizational impact, particularly within the areas of health and wellness and health disparities.

Angelika Schlanger PhD, is the Director of The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, one of the region’s largest philanthropic family foundations. Angelika and her team drive partnerships with nonprofits and government agencies to sustain and launch programs that provide critical services around educational attainment, community health, arts outreach, and workforce development. Previously, she worked as the Regional Public Health Specialist for the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program, where she coordinated community health initiatives and drove school-based policy changes promoting healthy eating and physical activity. Angelika earned her PhD with Distinction in Political Science from Yale University, an MA from Columbia University, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in History and
French from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an appointed member of the City of Parkland’s Community Advisory Board, serves as the Vice President of the Fruitful Field’s Board of Directors, a Director on the Board of Junior Achievement of South Florida, and is on the B2L (“Bridge to Life,” Broward County’s Local College Access Network – LCAN) Executive Champions Committee. She is a first-generation American, a mom to three energetic children, and enjoys coaching basketball.

Steve Werthman lives & grew up in Hollywood, Florida, and has been a leader in the fields of environmental protection and homeless services with community-based organizations since the late eighties. He is the past Chief Operating Officer at HOPE SOUTH FLORIDA and has extensive knowledge of the homeless population in South Florida.

Chris Reesor is a garden enthusiast specializing in youth development. His role with The Fruitful Field began as a Program Manager with GrowCity.  He enjoyed working side by side with the youth to mentor them in life skills that will prepare them for their future in the workforce. Chris has served as Executive Director of  The Fruitful Field from 2017 to 2022.  He hopes to bring his passion for gardening and living off the land God blesses, a desire to see this generation developing a healthy life direction, and an all-around simple and fun attitude toward life and living. He aspires to bring positive energy and excitement while assisting The Fruitful Field to thrive.

April Lauritano is a native Floridian with solid ties to the South Florida community where she was raised. April has been involved with community activism, youth development, conservation efforts, and local government for much of her life. In her early career, April worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County, creating and implementing lifestyle and skill-building programs for teens and organizing countywide health fairs that provided free health services to hundreds of schoolchildren annually. April transitioned to the banking and financial sector, where she has made financial literacy a priority in her 20+-year career. She recently served on the board of FT. Lauderdale Performing Arts, Inc. as assistant treasurer, community outreach, and fundraising coordinator. Prior to joining The Fruitful Field Board, April served as a volunteer and adult intern with an interest in learning to grow food and incorporate that knowledge into her community involvement. She hopes to inspire others through her passion for nature, community, and wellness.

Angelica Rosas currently holds the position of Director of Community Impact at the Community Foundation of Broward, where she has worked since 2015 and oversees the Community Foundation’s grantmaking under the Education & Youth Enrichment and Art & Culture Focus Areas. With a background spanning over 15 years in nonprofit fundraising and management, she brings a wealth of experience to her role at the Foundation. She actively contributes to her community through her involvement and volunteering in various non-profit organizations. She also serves as a dedicated member of the Education Committee at United Way Broward and the Friends of Broward County Library Community Engagement Advisory Council and others.

Angelica is an alumna of St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in marketing. She has also completed the Dale Carnegie Management Leadership program offered by FIU Executive Education, further enhancing her skills and expertise in leadership and management.