Our People

com·pa·ny -noun. A number of individuals assembled or associated together; a group of people.

Emory Knoll Farms is as much a living organism as the plants we grow!  Our people bring a diverse range of backgrounds, core areas of expertise, and interests; and we openly embrace these differences to make the team we now have.  We also share many important attributes, such as personal integrity, work ethic, and professionalism.

As a whole, we endeavor to be a learning organization.

 

Ed Snodgrass is a fifth generation farmer and nurseryman, and is president & founder of Emory Knoll Farms.   Ed is the co-author of Green Roof Plants: A Resource and Plant Guide (Timber Press, 2006) and The Green Roof  Manual (Timber Press, 2010). Ed is a member of the American Horticultural Society and the International Plant Propagator’s Society and has served as a board member of the Maryland Nurserymen’s Association.  Ed is responsible for the horticultural aspects of our operation and he provides horticultural consulting services.  He tests and assesses hundreds of plants, and various green roof systems.  He also lectures widely at universities, regional, national, and international conferences.  He is master of the bad pun and keeps our staff grinning with his daily insights on … well, just about everything!

John Shepley is vice president and co-owner of Emory Knoll Farms.  John has a degree in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia University and has worked as a systems engineer,

management consultant, and business manager in various industries.  In 2003, after living in Europe for several years, John joined Ed to form Emory Knoll Farms, Inc. John manages the business operations and is responsible for our technology and energy solutions.  He might be found up to his elbows in a vegetable oil – fueled boiler, or tending one of our solar irrigation systems.  John serves as chairman of the Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance, and is a founding board member of the Baltimore Biodiesel Cooperative.  John and his wife are avid locavores, always on the lookout to support local farmers.  He is instrumental in helping to keep our staff supplied with Utz potato chips.

 

Carey Rowsom manages shipping and inventory at Emory Knoll Farms as well as providing inside sales.  Carey was born & raised in Baltimore (and proud of it!) and is married to a sea captain.  She served as an aviculturist and as curator of the rain forest exhibit at the National Aquarium in Baltimore before joining Emory Knoll Farms in 2004.   When she’s not counting or shipping plants, she might be birding (to keep the EKF bird list up-to-date) or staring dreamily in the direction of Ireland.  She keeps things running smoothly around here and our customers can vouch for her incredibly tenacious efforts to make certain every shipment gets where it’s needed, when it’s needed.  She laughs at every chance she gets, which is easy, on the farm!

Carey’s sister, Shelley McGeady, works part time for us as a propagator and has taken to it like a Brit to tea and crumpets!  Shelley is a retired as a social worker from Baltimore City, who decided she needed a break from the concrete.  In addition to keeping her off the streets, this job lets Shelley keep her sister in line – a formidable task!  Here they are, Carey on the left, gazing lovingly at her big sis and her alabaster skin.

Dominique Bayne is our propagation manager.  Dominique comes to us from the Denver Botanical Garden where she was the curator of the succulent collection.  Dominique holds Certificates in Horticulture and Garden Design from Myerscough College in Lancashire, England and has a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Manchester, England.  So, she’s got that going for her.  She’s still adjusting to our quirky team and life here in rural Maryland.   But she thinks she’ll do okay here and so do we.  And, we expect to get some swing dance instruction from her, as a bonus!

Ben Crocker is the lard that fries our chips.  He’s our farm manager, and is responsible for our grounds, machinery, and general oversight of the nursery property.  Ben was raised by wolves a few miles from our farm, and has lived here for as long as he can remember, feeding himself on wild berries and roadkill.  He started with us as a summer student, and has grown along with the nursery, domesticating nicely along the way.  He provides continuity and stability to our operation and embodies our desire to be a learning organization.  There is nothing that escapes Ben’s eagle eyes.  He is truly Emperor of Emory Knoll.  And he plays a mean keyboard.  Here are Ben and Carey – two of our three redheads!

Chris Speno has been with Emory Knoll Farms since it’s inception.  Chris is originally from upstate New York, and attended Cornell University.  Before coming to Emory Knoll Farms, Chris worked for Kurt Bluemel, Inc. and other nurseries.  Chris has contributed to our nursery in innumerable ways, from building our test green roofs to our rock gardens, to greenhouses, to virtually any aspect of our farm.  Chris lives in Havre de Grace where he is reputed to be the biggest futbol fan in the area.  When the World Cup is running, Chris’s cries of joy can be heard for miles. He recently started coaching junior ice hockey. He is invaluable to our morning sports report /joke session.

Keely Shaughnessy recently joined us as plant care manager.  Keely had a degree in horticulture from the University of Delaware (Go Blue Hens!), and she recently complete a one year  internship at Longwood Gardens. She oversees our IPM – keeping us up-to-date on beneficial insect usage and other sustainable pest control.   She also trained as a volunteer firefighter at Longwood,  so we definitely feel safer with her around! And her cheery attitude can crack even the hardest shell of morning grumpiness…

Gail Leasure comes to us with enormous propagation experience.  She sets the standard for consistency and quality in the nursery.  Gail has a horticulture degree from the University of Maryland, and she fears no Turtles!   She and Shelley are instrumental in keeping our inventory of plants at top-notch levels.  Gail is an enthusiastic amateur beekeeper, whose honey is as satisfying as her dry witticisms. She  is supermom to five kids, and a positive influence on all of us!

Ben Phipps does it all.  Really.  Ben grew up next to the farm and has been working for us since 2009.    He is ourtility infielder – he propagates plants, fills  flats, helps with construction projects,  and shipping, and provides hours of humorous stories, hence, one of his many nicknames (only a few of which can be printed here) – Ben “Tall Tales” Phipps.   He, Emperor Ben,  and Chris are the A-Team, when it comes to keeping the farm rolling, on a day-to-day basis.  Did we mention he is  entertaining….  VERY entertaining?!