This week the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society announced the appointment of Kristina West of Vineyard Haven as executive director. According to a press release from the Ag Society, West takes the helm of the 160-year-old organization after having served as a member of the board of trustees as well as staff during her nearly 10-year affiliation with the Agricultural Society. West is a longtime Island resident who previously worked for Island Grown Initiative and the town of West Tisbury.
“We are very pleased to welcome Kristina as our new executive director. She brings vision, experience, and enthusiasm to our organization as we move into our next generation of serving our agricultural community. This is a very exciting time for us,” said MVAS president Brian Athearn in the release.
“I am ready to hit the ground running,” West said in the release. “The society is well-poised to be a major and meaningful player, not just within the agricultural community but Island-wide. We are excited to be collaborators with many Island groups and offer our assistance year-round to local farmers, families, and individuals.”
West will guide a board of trustees of 16, including artist Allen Whiting, Pie Chicks owner Chrissy Kinsman, Larder owner Jefferson Munroe, and Julie Scott of Slough Cove Farm. She will also oversee a staff of two full-time employees as well as the annual Agricultural Fair, which is Thursday, August 15, to Sunday, August 19, this year.
For more information, contact Kristina West at ed@mvasmv.org or 508-693-9549.