Amanda Coyle, Board Chair
Amanda was born in Connecticut and raised in South Florida before moving to Montana as an AmeriCorps member with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in 2021. Previous to AmeriCorps, she was a Peace Corps volunteer in Mongolia. These two experiences instilled a deep sense of service and need to help others whenever possible. Amanda is currently the program coordinator for a new AmeriCorps program with the Montana Department of Agriculture. This position has sparked an interest in agriculture, gardening, local food systems, and helping our neighbors get access to healthy foods. HCC offers a space where she can serve the Helena community while exploring the world of gardening with purpose. She has just purchased some acreage where she hopes to expand her gardening pursuits in the future.
Gretchen Tigner, Board Vice Chair
Gretchen believes in service and in contributing to the greater good. She told us: “A community garden has many benefits: giving people the opportunity to grow fresh food, supporting beginning gardeners efforts, encouraging people to learn and dig in the dirt just to name a few. I can get behind that 100%.”
Whitney Bausch, Secretary
Whitney was born in Butte, and spent many years in western Washington and Missoula before moving to Helena in 2016. She started gardening at the Sixth Ward Garden in 2018 due to a lack of gardening space in her own yard. Whitney joined the Board in 2019 and served as the Board Vice Chair in 2023 and 2024. Whitney is also the garden manager of the Sixth Ward Garden. She believes that HCG can, and should, be a part of ensuring that all community members have access to nutritious food.
Jeane Carstensen-Garrett, Treasurer
Jeane came to Helena to attend Carroll College after high school and never left. As she and her husband started a garden at their home in York, she discovered she actually liked so many more vegetables. Jeane was attracted to the Helena Community Garden Board in their mission to provide the opportunity for everyone in Helena to garden in their neighborhood and grow their own healthy foods as well as the contribution of fresh produce to Helena Food Share.
Sarah Carlson, Board Member
My interest in all things gardening began on the wheat farm where I grew up in North Dakota. My family had a large kitchen garden and numerous heirloom flowers, including a Harison’s Yellow Rose that arrived with my ancestors in a covered wagon. No matter where I’ve lived, from Washington, DC to the Mountains of Montana, I always set up a large garden. I’m excited and thankful to be a new member of the Board. I feel creating opportunities for people to experience the joy, beauty and bountiful harvests of gardening is one of the best and impactful ways for anyone to spend their time. When it is too cold to garden, I enjoy cheering for my alma mater’s hockey team. Go University of North Dakota Hawks! I live in Helena with my husband, daughter and two cats with impeccable garden manners.
Les Clark, Board Member & Head Garden Manager
Les has worked with non-profit organizations for nearly forty years, including Growing Friends of Helena, Montana Independent Living Project, RMDC, and the Center for Mental Health. He is a founding board member of Helena Community Gardens. He is particularly drawn to the vision of having a community garden within walking distance of every neighborhood in Helena so that people can learn to grow their own healthy food. He also enjoys connecting children with gardens. Fascinated by the miracle of life he sees in plants, Les has been a Master Gardener for six years and gardened for more than fifty.
Alice Hinshaw, Board Member
Alice was born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She moved to Montana in 1973, and for many years she worked in farming and animal husbandry. She has been an attorney in Helena for 30 years. Alice is passionate about youth programs, animals, gardening. Recently retired from her law practice, she is enjoying the opportunity to focus on community service, family and gardening. As a Montana Master Gardener, joining Helena Community Gardens as a volunteer and board member is the perfect fit!
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Jake Mohrmann, Board Member
Born and raised in Helena, Jake and his family have recently settled back in Helena after living and gardening at 10,000 feet elevation in Colorado. Jake is a Master Gardener and co-garden manager at the Covenant Community Garden where he enjoys gardening with his family.
Christiane Rudmann, Board Member
Chris was born and raised in Germany and moved to Montana in 2014. Her grandparents and parents have gardened for as long as she can remember and passed the love for growing flowers, fruit & veggies onto her. Chris started gardening with HCG in 2021 and joined the Board in early 2022. She served as the Board Chair in 2023 and 2024. Chris is dedicated to working with the Board on moving HCG into its next decade and to keep ensuring that all Helena families have access to garden plots and with that, to fresh food.