Organizers

Michael Appel

BOARD MEMBER & PAST RPESIDENT, CSFMA

Farmer at Three Springs Farm

My partner, Emily Oakley, and I own and operate Three Springs Farm in Oaks, Cherokee County. We sell organic vegetables and fruit at the Saturday Cherry Street Farmers’ Market. I have been on the CSFMA board for two years.

Megan Elias

TREASURER, CSFMA

As the past Program Coordinator and current CSFMA Treasurer, I am honored to be a part of an organization that supports local, sustainable practices. I have a varied background in marketing and communications with non-profits and the corporate world. I am an advocate of supporting local, green initiates that have the potential to make a positive impact not only on the citizens of today, but those who have yet to make their mark. Cherry Street Farmers’ Market Association has grown considerably over the past decade, and I look forward to helping shape its future through the next decade.

Karen Harris

CUSTOMER, VENDOR & BOARD MEMBER, CSFMA

Science Teacher and Department Chair, Holland Hall Upper School
Owner of Bad Dog Farm, Tulsa Oklahoma I began gardening with my father about as soon as I could walk, helping him clean the barn, build compost heaps and hot beds, tend the chickens and ducks, keep bees, plant corn (“2 to a hill”), tie up pole beans, pick strawberries and tomatoes, hoe weeds, and squish potato bugs and their eggs. I still use a lot of the methods I learned from him over 50 years ago, including building soil with organic matter, refraining from using chemicals, and doing most jobs by hand. It is hard work and I love it. I also love the Cherry Street Farmers’ Market. It is the best part of Tulsa summers. I value being able to buy healthy fresh food from hard-working farmers. I enjoy selling small fruits, comb honey, and a few vegetables, meeting new customers, seeing old friends and working beside other vendors. I am proud to be a member of the board and am pleased to work with knowledgeable, dedicated, and passionate people to promote locally grown food. I believe in the mission of the market and hope that I can continue to do my part to see that the market thrives.

Wesley Jones

BOARD MEMBER, CSFMA

Engineer Farmer Jones

I have been associated with Cherry Street Farmers’ Market since 2009. Being an avid supporter of farmers’ markets in general, I become attached to Cherry Street, first as a vendor and then as a board member. I started working vegetable gardens with my dad at a very young age and have developed a passion for the business. Cherry Street Farmers’ Market is a great market and is striving to become an even better market. I am proud to be part of the team.

Scott Swearingen

PRESIDENT, CSFMA

I am a native Oklahoman, who grew up in Tulsa, and I and my wife, Sheila, are longtime shoppers at the Cherry Street Farmers’ Market. I taught Television Production at the University of Tulsa for 13 years and now Sheila and I own a video production company. I’ve co-produced several videos about Cherry Street Market growers for the website and have served on the Cherry Street Famers Market Board for three years.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Melanie Hunter

I have been a long time customer of the market and an avid supporter of local markets and sustainable initiatives, in general. My background is in higher education, having taught composition and literature at Tulsa Community College for over ten years. My interest in food and markets eventually spilled into my academic work, and I have taught classes and presented at conferences about the “politics of the plate.” I feel privileged to have this opportunity to work more closely with the Cherry Street Farmers’ Market and will endeavor to ensure its continuing success.

MARKET MANAGER

Lisa Brandborg

ASST. MARKET MANAGER

John Cunningham