Farm Operations
Kacie Buczynski
Farm Director
Kacie Buczynski has been involved in the sustainable agriculture industry for a decade now with experience in many different areas. She gained her roots at an organic vegetable farm in New Hampshire working her way up through multiple seasons to the Field and Distribution Manager position. She then transitioned to managing an organic food truck in Florida where she was responsible for local food sourcing and menu creation as well as designing and hosting community wellness events. She next travelled across the country to Oregon where she was the Farm Manager at an organic flower and vegetable farm that provided locally sourced produce to the top restaurants in Portland. Her educational background is from Plymouth State University where she studied nutrition and wellness and worked as a sustainability coordinator for the university. Kacie’s passion is producing and growing organic food for communities to ensure healthy lifestyles and creating a locally sourced food model. She whole-heartedly believes in the power and importance of organic and locally sourced produce in creating healthy communities.
Dave Lockwood
Equipment Manager
David A Lockwood, a native of Linwood, NJ has been with Reeds Farm since October 2021. Dave began his career in the culinary field as a pastry chef. Dave turned his attention into helping educate the community and nourish the earth after seeing the waste that can occur in the food industry. Dave obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Sustainability from Stockton University in 2018. He is dedicated to ensuring the future of our earth for generations to come. Dave lives in Galloway with his Spouse, Step Son and Granddaughter. He enjoys spending time with his family as well as using his craftsmanship to design and create projects using recycled wood, plastic and other materials.
Damon Smith
Founder of Peace & Unity Garden
Damon Smith is the creator of the Peace and Unity garden at Reed’s Organic Farm. Damon is an educator, amateur mycologist, Gulf War veteran, and founder of Gloves on the Ground (www.glovesontheground.com). Gloves on the Ground’s mission is to bring veterans and communities together to promote peace and healing by focusing on gardening and heirloom seed saving. His GOTG Peace and Unity garden at Reed’s features plants grown from seeds that originate from areas of war and other violent conflict. Damon is available to give tours of the garden by appointment via email: GlovesontheGround@gmail.com
Dale Scheeler
Carpentry Associate
Dale scheeler is a life long resident of New Jersey he recently graduated from acit and learned carpentry for 4 years. During the summer of 2021 he volunteered here at the farm and now recently got hired onto the team. He enjoys fishing and being in the outdoors. What he likes about the farm is being able to show what he loves to do and skills and helping out the staff and animal's.
Programming
Melanie Reed
Programming Director
Melanie Reed relocated to Atlantic County from her native New York City to serve as the Programming Director, continuing her career goals of connecting social services with sustainability. She earned a BS in Environmental Science and Sustainability from Cornell University, where she worked in the Botanic Gardens and served as the Sustainability Coordinator for Dining. After graduating and moving back to NYC, Melanie became involved in Edgemere Farm in Rockaway Beach, where she rose to serve as Farm Manager. Her interest in farming with a social impact led her to work for The Horticultural Society of New York’s therapeutic horticulture program on Rikers Island Correctional Facility. Her new role of Programming Director is the culmination of her interests in sustainable agriculture, food security, and therapeutic horticulture.
Kim Dagen
Education Specialist
Kim Dagen has lived in Egg Harbor Township for 31 years. She spent her career working in special education, and it is her life long aspiration to help others. Kim spent 34 years at Cape May County Special Services school system, and taught from preschool through high school. She has a masters degree in Educational Administration with a principalship, as well as a supervisor degree. Kim also spent her life volunteering, especially with her therapy dog Gracie! Kim lives with her husband Dale and dogs Gracie and Toby, and she has two children, Alyson and Jacob.
Animal Enrichment
Bernadette Getzler
Animal Enrichment Director
Bernadette currently resides in Ventnor and has spent many years traversing the world working in both human and animal environments. According to her family, she's had an affinity for animals from the time she was born, which was a long, long time ago! She's spent the majority of her career as a Special Educator, even though her original degree is in Animal Science and Biology. She has witnessed both personally and professionally the amazing transformations that can occur when animals and people interact in a nurturing environment. This is what drew her to working at Reed’s Farm. To be able to have a mutually beneficial relationship with animals and give them an environment where they can thrive and live out their life continues to be extremely rewarding. Paying it forward for all the animals that have helped friends, family, students and herself is what working at the farm means to her.
Diana Lucca
Animal Enrichment Director
Diana Lucca grew up in South Jersey with horses, cats, dogs, and rabbits as some of her first friends. She was a long time member of Long-A-Coming 4-H horse club in Camden County. Diana took her compassion for animals and applied it to people, graduating from the University of Scranton with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She has worked as a staff RN, Nurse Case Manager and Nurse Informaticist in acute care hospitals in NY, PA, and NJ. Diana has come full circle and once again found her love of animals working as the co-Director of the Animal Enrichment Program at Reed’s. Being able to use her health care background and prior 4-H knowledge to enrich the lives of the sanctuary animals is such a rewarding personal fulfillment.
Monica Maycott
Animal Enrichment Associate
Monica is a part of our Animal Enrichment team. A lifelong resident of Atlantic County, she spent much of her youth at the Atlantic City Racetrack & helping at farms, which fostered a passion & interest in equines. She’s also a full time Fur Momma to her Golden Retriever, Stella. In the future, Monica hopes to have her own farm to rescue & rehabilitate retired racehorses.
UPDATE WITH MADDIE"S BIO
Maddie Barbieri
Animal Enrichment Associate
Kitchen Market
Kelly Smith
Market Manager
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Marilyn Dager
Volunteer Coordinator
Marilyn Dager acts as the Coordinator of Volunteers at Reed’s Farm. She helps in recruiting and scheduling the volunteers who support farm market operations, as well as acting as a volunteer herself. Marilyn is a retired registered nurse and certified case manager. A native of South Jersey, she grew up in Collingswood and also lived in Mount Laurel, NJ for 30 years, where she raised her son and daughter with her late husband, Ed. She now lives in Marmora, NJ and enjoys the easy access to the beach, while still being close to her family.
Professionally speaking, Marilyn graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes Nursing School in 1974 where she pursued a career in nephrology nursing. Later, she transitioned to work as a case manager, providing catastrophic medical management services to health care insurance members. More recently, Marilyn became a revenue cycle clinician, writing clinical appeals for provider hospitals and teaching medical necessity criteria.
Upon retirement, she joined Reed’s Organic Farm as the Coordinator of Volunteers, which has offered her a way to continue to utilize her past experience in a way that has a positive impact on the community. In her personal life, Marilyn spends ample time with her grandkids and family. Her interests have always revolved around family, friends, sports, art, and music. Marilyn’s recent activities, related to her time at Reed’s Organic Farm, have opened up new areas of interest in healthy daily living practices, organic nutrition and soil replenishment. Marilyn is most excited about her on-going participation and personal contribution in the growth and development of A Meaningful Purpose at Reed’s Organic Farm.