Dylan made his move to Charleston in 2023 to pursue his master’s in both environmental and sustainable sciences and public administration. He initially joined the Coastal Conservation League as a graduate intern for the Energy program, where he completed a project that demystified energy bills, assisted in research on data center energy demand, and began working on his thesis, which aims to improve how energy burden — the share…
Hailing from Newberry, SC, Benton is a proud USC graduate, veteran of the music industry, WWOOFer in Costa Rica, and the hardest working man in local produce. Benton is committed to supporting local growers and providing high quality products to our customers.
Shawn Parks, a proud resident of Charleston, is deeply rooted in the maritime industry, contributing to both the port and GrowFood Carolina. With a career dedicated to facilitating trade and supporting local agriculture, he plays a vital role in the community. Outside of work, Shawn finds joy in his role as a grandfather, cherishing moments with his family. His culinary preference reflects his love for simplicity, as green cabbage stands out…
Becky grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida and was fortunate to be surrounded by natural beauty. Unfortunately, like South Carolina, the diverse wildlife and habitats were constantly threatened by unrestrained development. Her childhood in Florida, young adulthood in North Carolina, and previous environmental advocacy work in Richmond with the Virginia League of Conservation Voters have instilled a limitless appreciation for the wild wonders of the Southeast and a desire to preserve them…
Torrey joined the Conservation League after attending law school here in Charleston, where she became involved in local environmental and land use advocacy. She moved here from Washington DC, to engage in more purpose-based work, after five years in the music industry. Her major duties as Communities & Transportation Project Manager include zoning, and urban issues such as bicycle and pedestrian access and other multimodal transit. Torrey attended the George Washington University where she…
It was GrowFood Carolina and its public impact that first drew Jill to the Coastal Conservation League, and now she helps champion local restaurants, farmers, and vendors with their accounting needs. A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Jill moved to the Lowcountry in 2001 and spent 18 years working at a nonprofit in wetland restoration and land conservation. When she’s not crunching numbers, Jill can be spotted relishing the diverse…
Yarley joined the Coastal Conservation League at the end of 2024. Prior to joining the Conservation League, she worked for the public and nonprofit sectors, where she sharpened her government relations and lobbying skills advocating for issues in the fields of public health, public education, and higher education. She double majored in political science and environmental geography while at the University of South Carolina and obtained her graduate degree from the University of Georgia’s…
Paige Sylvestre, Sales & Marketing Account Manager at GrowFood Carolina is committed to strengthening the local food system by serving businesses that value fresh, seasonal, and responsibly sourced ingredients. Her career spans nearly a decade in the culinary and hospitality world, where she honed her leadership, supplier negotiation, and analytical management skills. Paige loves working with her hands, tackling big projects, and building meaningful connections across the community.
