It's high time for another installment of one of our most favorite blog series: the JBG Employee Spotlight! We hope that these interviews will help acquaint you with the folks on the farm who are largely responsible for keeping the delicious JBG vegetables rolling out, week after week.

This week, one of our market managers, Lyndsie DeCologero, took time out of her busy schedule to offer her take on agriculture, cooking, art, and connection. This immensely industrious and creative human has worked for the farm in a multitude of capacities for over 8 years now. She works beautifully and patiently with fellow JBG-ers, creates stunning displays at markets with her artistic vision, and speaks vibrantly about veggies to market goers all weekend-long with a smile on her face. Here's to an outstanding and longstanding JBG-er, learn all about her below.

Lyndsie! Photo by Scott David Gordon.

How long have you been working at the farm, and what roles have you played at the farm?

I've been working at the farm ever since the fall of 2011. I just sort of showed up one day and started working, knowing they would have to start paying me (she laughs). I started out in the field planting and harvesting, then I grew into a new position as the post-production manager for the Wholesale Department, as the farm expanded. Then I took a little art hiatus and landed back as the Market Department Head, and then another art hiatus lead me to where I am now, quite contently managing just the Cedar Park and Mueller Farmers markets, and painting a few trucks.

Lyndsie in one of her many roles, back in 2013. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Where did you grow up, and what brought you to JBG?

I grew up in Massachusetts, attended art school in Savannah, Georgia, and then after felt like Austin was the vibe I was looking for. I moved out here, having never been, and started searching for my path. I wanted to contribute to the community. I never wanted a job, but to contribute in a way that felt meaningful to me. I was passionate about my artwork in a dreamy, luxurious way, but I felt like it was important to balance my life in a more grounded way.

What is your current role at JBG?

I am the Market Manager of both of our Cedar Park and Mueller farmers markets. I love the markets, and really enjoy the customer relations, their gratitude, and support. I also enjoy speaking vegetable, which is mostly what I speak all day Saturday and Sunday.

Lyndsie with Brenton at the Mueller market in 2016. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

What drew you to agriculture and local food systems?

I live my life almost in a constant state of existential crisis, it seems so utterly important to me to ground myself by doing something of great value. Nutrition seems to be the most fundamentally valuable thing to being a human. Also, I think sustainability is an important survival skill.

What’s cooking in your kitchen these days?

I eat mostly by intuition I would say, I just pick out the things that look pretty to me, chop them up, cook them up, and add seasoning. It is such a wonderful privilege to work at a farmers market. I bring home a bounty of vegetables and other local fresh and delicious staples from the market, and then I just collect spices and dry stock at the grocery store, giving me a vibrant array of colors to choose from. I think eating the “rainbow” is the best way to ensure you're eating balanced nutrition.

Lyndsie with BFF Sarah at the Triangle.

What does your life off the farm look like?

Off the farm, my life looks like: making artwork, showing in galleries, attending exhibitions, traveling to other cities to connect to the art scenes there, collecting art and records, watching Criterion films, enjoying nature and books, and such.

What has been most surprising about your experience on the farm?

I was most delighted and surprised to find so many creatives drawn to JBG. I have made so many essential art connections at the farm. The first gallery I ever showed in was the Prizer Gallery, Carrie Kenny’s gallery. She had been the operations manager at the farm for years before opening her gallery. Scott David Gordon, our photographer, who is now the voice of Austin Art Talk, which has quickly become my favorite art podcast, was actually the one who suggested my internship with The Little Pink Monster Gallery, which has really helped my art career to blossom. Not to mention the countless artists that have worked at the farm, and even Brenton Johnson himself is a wonderful painter. I don’t think the creativity in art can really be differentiated from the creativity that is found in the millions of seeds the farm plants each year.

Lyndsie and Adams at the Triangle market. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Favorite and least favorite crop?

I am absolutely obsessed with red beets, it might be the richness of their color. Obviously, I’m a very seasonal eater, looking forward to each season - to a change of vegetables, but time and time again beets wind up often my favorite. Watermelon I have to say is my least favorite crop, but for a completely separate reason... they're so heavy.

Can you tell us a little about your art?

My current series is a collection of abstract expressionist portraits in a freestyle embroidery on textile. I'm fascinated with the condition of the human belief. I often find my inspiration from films where an array of dramatic emotions are depicted. Characters in realities built of their beliefs, some serving, some limiting.

Lyndsie's embroideries on textile.

What’s your favorite market to work and why?

I love both of my markets at Cedar Park Saturdays and Mueller on Sundays. They are both put on by the Texas Farmers Market, so I get the pleasure of seeing most of the same vendors at both markets and there are so many wonderful vendors. The Texas Farmers Market does such a fantastic job at creating a quality market with high standards for fresh, local, quality goods. Plus, I love the community of vendors, I look forward to seeing all their lovely faces every weekend, and hearing about their weeks!

Gifting a sunflower to a tiny market goer. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

What have you learned from your role?

I have learned oh so many things over the last 8 years of my life. I’ve learned how to nurture myself and how to collaborate with others. I've also learned that farming is not some idealist's dream, it's a lot of hard work, and it is most definitely where our food comes from.

If you were stuck on a desert island, and could only bring three things… what would they be?

An acoustic instrument, the longest existentialist romance fiction novel I can find, and my cat, Saavy.

Lyndsie with Saavy

JBG Staff Survey: If Lyndsie were a veggie, what would she be and why?

Ada (CSA and Marketing Manager) - Lyndsie is rainbow carrots incarnate. Her blond curly hair, bright green carrot tops. She is also so bright, both literally and metaphorically! She's always sporting the brightest and funkiest outfit (if you've seen her at market, you know!). Like carrots are a foundation to many dishes, Lyndsie is part of this farm's foundation. She knows this place inside and out, and we are so lucky to have such a smart, hardworking woman on our team.

Krishna (CFO) - She is a daikon. A tall and strong person.

Andrew (CSA Packing Manager) - Romanesco because she's in tune with herself and artistic. I relate the golden ratio with the arts as well.

Casey (Customer Service Extraordinaire) - Romanesco because she is beautiful, unique, and creative.

Mike Mo (Wholesale Manager) - Tomato because she's colorful, multifacted, and vibrant.

Tracy (Barn Manager) - Flowering braising mix. Spicy, versatile and a beautiful touch (the flowers) that always make anyone smile. Versatile in all kinds of dishes, just like she is versatile in many aspects of the farm. Also, the braising mix is made up of a bunch of varieties of plants each adding their quality to the whole. I feel that sums her up. She has a lot of different experiences and talents that add to her as a whole.

Thanks for reading! A quick reminder, our pre-sale for the transplant sale is going strong! Check out our varied crop offerings here. Also, if you want to learn from one of Austin's best and savviest farmers how to garden like a pro, buy tickets for our gardening workshop here.'Til next time!