Board Elections

Emma Talamantes

One of the first things I did when I moved to Quincy nearly a year and a half ago to work for the Lost Sierra Food Project was join the Co-op as a member. Growing up in the East Bay, I was raised with cooperative values. I have also witnessed the vulnerability of cooperatives, as I witnessed some of my favorite cooperatives fail to keep up with rising inequity and dwindling support. I recognize that my generation is now tasked with keeping the cooperative values of democracy, equity, and community sovereignty alive in the face of increasing corporate monopolization. Using my background in communications and community program management, I hope to drive membership among my peers and also give them opportunities to have their voices and unique needs heard.

As Community Programs Manager at Lost Sierra Food Project, I have coordinated community outreach campaigns, managed several large fundraiser events, and planned our educational workshop series on food, farming, and wellness. I am also currently a member of the Quincy Farmers Market committee and working to bring back market opportunities that meaningfully benefit local small producers. I adamantly believe in a people-first approach to food justice initiatives and am interested in supporting tangible ways to provide resources to our community, whether that be through increasing living wage standards for employees, driving Affordable Food Program participation, or developing board-led food education programs.

Kim Kraul

I have lived in Quincy for 55 years. I was born in Berkeley and graduated from UCB.

My work history includes: Inspector for California Department of Agriculture, Sacramento. Analyst for California Department of Housing. Paralegal for local attorney.

My volunteer work in Quincy includes: Board member of the American Valley Community Services District, retired. Committee member of Lowry House Restoration. Board member of Plumas Hospital Foundation.

I have been an active member of the community, giving me current knowledge of the community’s assets and challenges. My years on AVCSD gave me experience with managing budgets and employees. While working on various projects locally through the years, such as expanding the bike path, I have learned to appreciate others’ opinions and skills. Additionally, I believe the co-op is an important part of the community, filling a unique and special niche in our area.

Marissa Rudder

I was born and raised in Vermont and found my way to the Lost Sierra via Tahoe. My husband and I recently moved to Portola, fulfilling our long-held dream of calling Plumas County home. As a nonprofit professional who comes from a family of farmers and food entrepreneurs, I value the deep connections that shape rural communities. Wherever I’ve lived, I’ve worked to combine my passion for community building and farming with my love for high-alpine adventures.

I hold a B.S. in Agricultural Resource Economics from Colorado State University, with a concentration in Rural Food Systems Development and Agribusiness. My education laid the foundation for my career in grassroots nonprofits, fueling my commitment to supporting local food systems, sustainable agriculture, and rural economic empowerment.

In 2022, as Executive Director of Tahoe Food Hub, I worked with the Co-op to connect organic farmers in the Sierra Foothills with communities in the Sierra and American valleys. This partnership reinforced my belief in the Co-op’s crucial role in supporting rural economies. I also launched a program providing CSA-style produce to food-insecure families across Placer, Nevada, and Washoe counties—ensuring nutrient-dense food reached those in need while local farmers received fair market rates.

I serve as Mountain Area Preservation’s Membership and Outreach Director and the Lost Sierra Food Project’s Board Treasurer. With over a decade of experience in food aggregation and nonprofit work, I bring expertise in relationship-building, program development, fundraising, and transparent communication—skills I would apply as a Co-op Board member.