Meet the board and staff at The Specialty Crop Collaborative.
The board and staff at The Specialty Crop Collaborative believe in advocating for and empowering people of all abilities. We assume competence and ability in all people. We regard as true that nature is therapeutic and healing for all. We support sustainability and treading lightly on the earth we steward well. We welcome new ideas, input and participation from those interested in learning about and sharing our beliefs.
President
Katie Zuraff :: Co-owner of The Specialty Crop LLC, and co-founder of The Specialty Crop Collaborative. Born and raised in Minnesota, Katie has love and compassion for all living things. Before co-founding The Specialty Crop Collaborative, Katie worked using her Augustana University (then College) degrees of special education and elementary education, as a teacher in the cities and southwest MN schools. Her commitment to education and advocacy for people of all abilities contributed to her to dreaming of deeper, more meaningful life-long education for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Taking a break from education, she dove into the great adventure of being a stay at home mom (with many small jobs throughout). After raising 4 wild ones, Katie is excited to combine her passions for the outdoors, regenerative farming, sustainable homestead practices, and the unwavering belief that all people of all abilities belong in all places at all times.
Vice President
Ian Caselli :: Board member since 2024. After graduating from the University of Sioux Falls in 2008 Ian spent 8 years working in Special Education as a Community Facilitator. He taught independent living skills, social skills, and was a job coach for young adults with special needs in the Sioux Falls School District. In 2016 Ian followed his passion for gardening into a new career as a Market Gardener. Ian now owns and operates Caselli's Market Garden where he sells greens wholesale to grocery stores and restaurants in the Sioux Falls Area. He lives in Brandon SD with his wife Amy, and their three children. Ian’s passion for local foods, market gardening and land stewardship combined with his commitment to building meaningful community with people who have disabilities makes him an invaluable resource to the board of The Specialty Crop Collaborative.
Treasurer
Chris Zuraff :: Co-owner of The Specialty Crop LLC, and co-founder of The Specialty Crop Collaborative. Bringing his education experiences from Augustana University and Luther Seminary, as well as his passion for numbers and systems, Chris is an asset to the board. Chris has a profound love for the outdoors and the peace and solitude they provide. In his work as associate pastor of mission, outreach and adult education at a Lutheran church in Sioux Falls, Chris has had the pleasure of showing love, extending grace, and honoring dignity for those he encounters in all arenas of life. He combines these two pieces of his life in his volunteer work with The Specialty Crop Collaborative in serving people with disabilities. You will often find him building and creating at the farm to better the systems in place and to create new ones.
Join us!
Looking for a meaningful way to contribute your passions and expertise to better opportunities and supports for people with disabilities in Southeast South Dakota, Southwest Minnesota, and Northwest Iowa? Do you believe in advocating for and empowering people of all abilities, assuming competence and ability in all people? Do you regard as true that nature is therapeutic and healing for all? Do you support sustainability and treading lightly on the earth we steward well? And do you welcome new ideas, input, and participation from those interested in learning about and sharing your beliefs? Consider joining our active and compassionate board. Apply here.