Harnden Retires from GardenShare

Aviva Gold, new executive director

Phil Harnden, GardenShare founder

GardenShare’s founder, Philip Harnden, is retiring as executive director as of December 31, 2011.

Harnden first established GardenShare in 1996 as a project of the North Country Garden School, which he led from 1995 to 1998. GardenShare was incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization in 2001.

“I founded GardenShare based on a simple belief—that the pleasure of eating delicious, wholesome food belongs to everyone,” says Harnden. “I’m confident that GardenShare now has a firecracker team of staff members to work alongside our volunteers in building a North Country where all of us have enough to eat and enough to share.”

Harnden says he will maintain an enthusiastic, though informal, connection with GardenShare. “I’m delighted to be turning over the GardenShare leadership to our committed and talented staff and board."

The GardenShare board of directors has unanimously appointed Aviva Gold, GardenShare’s associate director, to become the new executive director.

"Phil will continue to inspire our work at GardenShare and will leave a lasting legacy in the North Country," says GardenShare board president Heather Sullivan-Catlin. “We hired Aviva last winter with this transition in mind, and she is already bringing her delightful energy and creativity to the task.”

Aviva Gold can be reached by calling (315) 261-8054 or by emailing: aviva@gardenshare.org