The southern boone learning gardeN (SBLG) board of directors
Our community-based Board of Directors are all volunteers, and are responsible for the overall mission, vision, & long-term sustainability of the Southern Boone Learning Garden. We simply could not do what we do without the wonderful dedication & commitment of this key group. Board Members typically serve 2-year terms, and help SBLG through fundraising (campaigns, events, membership, grants, etc.) & community outreach (volunteer recruitment, community/SBLG events, community partnerships, & more). The SBLG Board meets quarterly, 6:30PM via Zoom for everyone’s convenience. If you are interested in serving on the SBLG Board, please contact Hope Sickmeier at hsickmeier@sbschools.us
We are always looking for new Board Members! Do you love the Learning Garden? Do you want to help secure the future of garden-based education in Southern Boone County? Do you want to be a part of one of the premier School Garden programs in the Midwest? Then you may be just who we need!
Hope Sickmeier: Board Chair
I am a veteran teacher and have been with Southern Boone schools since 2002. Making Ashland my home was a great decision! I have been teaching garden education since 2017 and making that change from the regular classroom has rejuvenated me as a teacher. I have been a lifelong gardener, feeding my family and preserving food was fun and necessary. I can now take my love and knowledge of gardening and share it with all our students. Teaching them how to plant, care for, harvest, prepare and preserve food is what we do and I have the best job.
Chris Felmlee: Vice Chair
Chris Felmlee is the Director of Member Relations for the Missouri School Boards’ Association, with over 28 years of experience as a superintendent in public education. In addition to his role at MSBA, he is a dedicated school board member for the Southern Boone School District. During his tenure as superintendent, he oversaw the construction of more than 107,000 square feet of new facilities and a college campus in partnership with Ranken Technical College in St. Louis. This innovative collaboration enables high school students to earn an Associate's Degree concurrently with their high school diploma, providing them with a valuable head start in their academic and professional pursuits.
Victoria Ballew: Secretary
Victoria Ballew and her family have lived in Ashland for over 20 years. As a previous educator in Southern Boone, she is an advocate for the hands-on learning provided by the Learning Garden. Currently, Victoria works for WestEd, a non-profit research, development and service agency, where she specializes in transforming underperforming districts and states through the implementation of principles aligned with Universal Design for Learning, Multi-Tiered System of Supports, evidence-based interventions, fiscal competencies and allocations, inclusive practices, collaborative cultures, along with equity-based decision-making. In her over 20 years of experience in education, Ms. Ballew has been both a regular and special education teacher, federal programs director, adjunct professor, and director of special services in rural and urban school districts. Her career in education has been one of community and district collaboration for the success of all students.
Lyra Noce: Treasurer
My name is Lyra Noce and am the Instructional Aide in the Southern Boone Learning Garden. I am a proud graduate of the Southern Boone County School District and a lifelong Boone Countian. I attended the University of Missouri and hold a Bachelor’s of Art in Regional and Cultural Geography. I have a passion for horticulture, native plants, and small scale agriculture. I am married with two sons who attend Southern Boone Middle School. I love learning new things every day and helping others do the same. I am thrilled to be in the Southern Boone Learning Garden helping our children make educational connections with hands-on learning in an outdoor immersive environment.
Faith Calvin: Member
My name is Faith Calvin and my husband, Brandon and I are proud Southern Boone Graduates. We have 2 children in the district, and 1 who will be in school next year! I am the current Food Service Director for the school district with Opaa! Food Management. I absolutely love the partnership that the learning garden provides to the school through the cafeterias! You can tell that this program is really something special. It's so unique and brings a different view of where things come from for our students. I am always amazed at how many different vegetables the students will eat after we tell them that they came from the learning garden!
I will continue to be a supporter of the Learning Garden for YEARS to come because this hands on type of learning is something that I believe in. Its invaluable learning that seems like so much fun just playing in the dirt!
Katelyn Conway: Member
My name is Katelyn Conway and my husband, Ryan and I moved to Ashland in March 2022. I’m originally from Jerseyville, IL and moved to Columbia to attend the University of Missouri to study Business Management. I’ve worked for Central Bank of Boone County almost 10 years and am AVP, Human Resources. I am fortunate to oversee our Community Involvement efforts at the bank and have a passion for volunteering within the community. My husband and I attend as many Mizzou events as possible, specifically women’s softball and basketball. We love staying busy and spending time outdoors with our two dogs. We live incredibly close to the garden, and I look forward to walking up the street to see what’s growing and making an impact on the students in the community. I grew up gardening in the backyard and look forward to having another right up the road.