About Us

Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of professionals is the backbone of Urban Community AgriNomics. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization as it continues to develop. Read on to learn more about some of our incredible team members.

Delphine is the retired Director of the Durham Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension. She holds a Master's of Science Degree in Organizational Management from Pfeiffer University, & an undergraduate degree in Social Studies from NCCU. Mrs. Sellars has 30+ years of experience in social & human services. Positions held both past & present include: Community Outreach Coordinator, Social Worker, Adult Vocational School Director & Employment Specialist. She resides on a number of boards and committees, is a skilled facilitator, grant writer, & manager.

Lucille Patterson holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Shaw University, two Associate's Degrees, one in Early Childhood Education, and the other in Operation Management. She retired from the City of Durham Parks and Recreation. Mrs. Patterson has a passion for sharing, caring, and collaborating with others. She has collaborated with many organizations in an effort to provide for those in need.

Durham native, Otto (Toby), came to UCAN after 21 years of service in the U.S Navy. His contributions to our country encompass an extensive background in electronics, automotive & machinery engineering and project management leadership. Experienced Scrum Master and skilled in Negotiation, DevOps, Operational Planning, Command, & Information Assurance, with a Project Management/ Business Admin focused on Project Management from Liberty University. His lovely wife is Dr. Kendra Phillips, a graduate school professor at NCCU.

Sabre is a native of Durham, NC. She recently graduated with her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Social & Developmental Psychology from the Winston-Salem State University. Sabre is currently working at College Foundation, Inc as a Residency Determination Specialist who assist students with getting validated for college enrollment. She enjoys: cooking, reading, exercising, crafting, being in nature and being a chauffeur for her two children. She has a passion for helping others and believes that it is still okay to help people without expecting anything in return.

Delphine Sellars

Executive Director

Lucille Patterson

Treasurer

Otto Phillips Jr.

Board Chair

Sabre Morris

Vice Chair

With a 25+ year history of NC criminal/traffic defense trial practice, Mark has been honoring the legacy of the public servants and civil rights trailblazers. Having established himself as a leader in traffic courts and DMV hearings, Simeon is now combining his vast field experience and his deep knowledge of how “the system” works and where the problems are, with his desire to contribute, in the public sector, to the improvement and redevelopment of tomorrow’s ground transportation management policies for manned, unmanned, and mixed-use vehicles. He holds a IBS from Morehouse College and a Doctor of Law from Howard University School of Law.

With 10+ years of experience engaging the community & youth in environmental advocacy & urban sustainability issues. Working in the Parks with Purpose program to assist cities in the Southeast advocating for urban greenspace acquisitions & sustainable urban remediation projects. She uses her experience to build partnerships & to facilitate sustainable urban land use, conservation planning that centers community engagement & environmental justice. She holds a M.S. in Environmental Studies from SUNY College & a B.A. in Sustainability from AZ State Global Institute of Sustainability.

LeShawn is a Technical Support Engineer from Smithfield, NC. A graduate from Campbell University majoring in Business Admin and a certificate of completion from the UNC Coding Bootcamp at UNC Chapel Hill. With a background in software engineering, LeShawn’s passion is to find ways to continue bridging the gap between agriculture and technology. He aspires to learn how to build community gardens in unprivileged neighborhoods and loves helping those who are in need. In his spare time he enjoys reading, gaming, programming, and taking care of his son.

My name is Quinton Pettiford, I am a student at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. I went to two high schools, first Northern High where I took agriscience classes and animal science classes which made me fall in love with outdoor work and activities. Then after two years I transferred to Southern School of Energy and Sustainability where I took technology classes and created my love for computers and technology. I am currently majoring in computer engineering with a minor in cyber security. Besides being in my books I also play football for Johnson C. Smith.

Mark Simeon

Board Member

Stacia Turner

Board Member

LeShawn Edouard

Board Member

Quinton Pettiford

Board Member

Through volunteer work with Durham Public Schools over the last fourteen years, Rhonda has seen food insecurities first-hand and is excited to see how UCAN is impacting our local community. After leaving a corporate position in 2010, she has focused on her family and philanthropic work. Rhonda’s passionate about the history of Durham County, as well as genealogy and enjoys research, reading, and gardening.

Kindra Holden has 20+ experience in engaging the youth in physical fitness as a volunteer in the community. Currently, an elementary and middle school Physical Education & Health Teacher at Bethesda Christian Academy and a Youth Fitness Trainer and Owner of Triple Threat Training Lab in Durham, NC. Originally from Indianapolis IN, graduated from Queens University of Charlotte, NC and a current resident of Durham, NC for 13 years.

Rhonda Michael

Board Member

Kindra Holden

Board Member

Our Roots

Urban Community AgriNomics at Catawba Trail Farm

Prior to receiving its nonprofit status in 2016, UCAN worked in the community with and for other nonprofits to reduce food insecurity, prevent and reverse health issues, augment the academic success of our children and create healthy families. In November 2017 we finalized our User License Agreement with TLC for the use of their Snow Hill IV property.

In January 2018 Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN) began reclaiming this dilapidated historic farmstead into Catawba Trail Farm (CTF) and Community Garden. By spring we had cleared a densely wooded pasture and constructed a 10’ fence around the perimeter of a 47 raised bed garden. By the end of 2019 UCAN members, volunteers and supporters enclosed an additional ¾ acre that includes a small orchard, in-ground planting area and chicken coop.

We rely heavily on volunteers who have been instrumental in helping us to create a safe infrastructure. Volunteers assisted in clearing overgrown field areas, construction of raised garden beds, cutting and stacking fire wood, repurposing natural resources and removal of unsafe structures and farm operation debris. We hire contractors to complete work that require expertise in a given area, such as building deconstruction and restoration, well drilling for water, tree trimming and removal and initial land clearing.

UCAN has been able to accomplish a lot with an average annual budget of $26,000. Funds are acquired through individual donations, the sale of vegetables, garden plots and seasoned firewood and small grant awards.

UCAN growth plan is rooted in increasing value and visibility through engagement with local schools, youth groups and farm and food related organizations. UCAN is working with low income communities and local schools in teaching healthy food preparation and preservation, addressing relevant issues, teaching life skills that encourage academic and career success and distributing fresh food to those in need. Eventually we will clear an additional 2 acres to provide space for new and aspiring farmers.

Mission

Urban Community AgriNomic’s mission is to improve the health and wellness of our community. Our programs shall provide education on healthy lifestyles, seed-to-table food preparation and preservation, and hands-on STEM and agricultural skills. We empower Durham families with access to resources to grow their own healthy food using sustainable practices in a supportive environment.

Values

Create opportunities for all people to have equal access to fresh produce and the knowledge of how to grow it themselves.
Honor and respect the environment
Educate individuals in how to create gardens; especially for communities that have limited green spaces
Cultivate safe community spaces where residents come together to build relationships around agriculture.
Collaborate long term relationships based on trust and inclusion.