Staff

Jimmy Cesario-DeBiasi

Fall 2025: Jimmy is on parental leave (!!) through mid-December.

Jimmy has led the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM) since 2019. During his tenure, MFFM continues to grow their Maine Harvest Bucks program and provide innovative solutions to support the farmers’ market community through promotion, outreach, advocacy, education, and technical support. Prior to joining MFFM, Jimmy worked in development & volunteer organizing with a social services agency in Portland, Oregon. Before that, he worked with small community nonprofits doing garden education, food access, and community building programs. Since moving to Maine, Jimmy has lived in Belfast, Damariscotta, and now Freeport.

Emily Grassie

Kelsey Kobik

Jaime Berhanu

Jaime first started selling veggies at farmers’ markets in 2000 in Bellingham, Washington. After returning to Maine in 2006, she and her husband Andy and kids, operated Lalibela Farm, an organic veggie and tempeh farm in Bowdoinham, for 15 years. Jaime helped to start the SNAP Program at the Portland Farmers’ Market in 2011. She was a farm vendor at the market for 14 years, and served in various capacities for the market’s steering committee. Though no longer operating a farm, she continues to manage the PFM SNAP Program alongside her role at MFFM as the Development and Operations Coordinator. Still in gorgeous Bowdoinham, she is grateful to continue serving Maine farms and the Maine community through all the good food access and farm-focused work happening at PFM, MFFM, and beyond. With the kids now in college, you can find her supporting markets, eating tons of arugula, strawberries, and blueberries, and swimming every chance she gets during our precious Maine summers!

Amber Eklund

Amber first began working with MFFM as the Rockland Info Booth manager where she enjoyed getting to know her local farmers and neighbors each week. In 2024 she took on the role of Midcoast Regional Coordinator. With this role she is excited to continue connecting with her Midcoast community and hopes to engage with more folks on the work MFFM does to support food access and keep the agricultural economy strong in Maine. Amber is passionate about maintaining access to fresh local food for all and loves to share meals and conversations that nourish the body and spirit with those around her. 

Ellie Frye

Ellie has a strong background in outreach and community connections, which has greatly contributed to her success in supporting farmers’ markets. A lifelong Mainer, she has deep ties to her community and a genuine passion for fostering local relationships. Outside of her work, Ellie is a cat lover and a highly skilled seamstress.

At MFFM, Ellie brings her passionate professionalism to her role as one of our Regional Farmers’ Market Support Coordinators, with over four years of experience working on farms and at farmers’ markets, from the Capital area on down to Saco. She brings great enthusiasm to her local food access work and exceptional customer service to every market she supports. With a deep understanding of the vital role farmers’ markets play in their communities, Ellie works to ensure smooth operations and foster connections between vendors and customers.

In her role, Ellie helps markets by overseeing their information booths, training new staff, and providing outreach assistance to markets in her territory. She also helps markets with recordkeeping and managing logistical tasks to ensure successful “day of” market operations. Ellie’s dedication and passion shine through in her work, making her an invaluable asset to the markets she serves.

Daniel Krenzelok

Daniel manages a rural homestead in Penobscot County where he and his partner focus on the intersection of food, nature, and wellness. Daniel joined MFFM in 2025 to help expand programming that brings more people to farmers’ markets throughout the greater Bangor area and beyond. Prior to moving to Maine, Daniel spent 15 years in Austin, TX, where he gained valuable experience in the fields of environmental science, education, wellness, & community development. Originally from Minnesota & Wisconsin, Daniel is happy to find himself back in the woods and waters of the north supporting local food systems here in Maine.