CONTACT
Helle Petersen, Regional Director
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Helle Petersen is an innovative leader with over a decade of experience in the dynamic landscape of innovation and regional economic development, primarily in California's Central Valley. As the Director of the Water, Energy, and Technology Center, she collaborates with cutting-edge startups to bring inventive solutions to market, particularly in the regional agricultural sector. Her career began in soil remediation with a startup, providing invaluable insights into the challenges faced by new technology ventures. Helle's expertise encompasses technology implementation, marketing, and strategic business development.
After moving to California in 2002, Helle attended California State University, Fresno, and worked with local businesses and entities. In 2011, she joined the Water, Energy, and Technology Center, initially as a program manager. During her leadership, the Center witnessed remarkable growth, with Helle securing over $12 million in support for its programs. She spearheaded multi-year collaborative projects and worked with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and private companies, to drive sustainable economic growth and technology commercialization.
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Charrisha Hillery, Program Manager
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Charrisha Hillery brings firsthand experience in local startups and agrifood business management. Prior to taking this role, she has managed the Fresno Farm Box CSA program since its inception in 2021, a Black-owned and operated, innovative marketplace that supports local growers and producers while feeding and educating the local community about the importance of eating seasonal foods. An aspiring Agricultural Dietitian with nearly a decade of experience working within local food systems statewide, Charrisha seeks to leverage her expertise and professional networks to support the best of California agriculture and innovation, and the Farmers who make it all possible.
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Charrisha holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Nutrition/Dietetics from the University of California, Davis.
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Anne Bach, Program Impact Analyst
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Anne supports the F3 Local team in evaluating outreach efforts and measuring program impact. She leads data-driven assessments to strengthen programs that expand access to resources for small farms and local food businesses. Her work includes policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and project evaluation to inform strategic improvements and ensure accountability to funding requirements.
Anne approaches complex challenges with a systems-based perspective - considering how policies, community needs, and institutional dynamics interact to influence outcomes - and supports collaborative, data-informed decision-making. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Sociology and professional training in Project and Change Management.
Passionate about the Central Valley’s rich farming community and diverse food businesses, Anne is an avid foodie who values the variety of high-quality, locally grown produce and is committed to helping make it more accessible to local communities.
Santanu Thapa, Research-Industry Liaison Coordinator
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Santanu Thapa started his journey in the field of agriculture as a student and has made significant contributions to academic research, which has helped local communities. His goal is to achieve sustainability in agricultural and food systems through continuous development and improvement of new and old techniques/management strategies to increase resilience in agriculture and food systems. As a lead in many projects, he has been continually gathering various leadership skills and contributing to innovative research teams in the industry. At UC ANR, he dedicates his time and efforts to bring the research and industry together to help farm and food industries and serve the local community.
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Santanu holds a PhD in Crop Science from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a MS in Turfgrass Science from Oklahoma State University.
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Marisa Johnson, Agricultural Outreach Specialist
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Marisa Johnson has six years of professional experience in the environmental field with a focus on regenerative farming, agroecology, community engagement, and environmental education. She is consistently motivated by work that contributes to healthier, freer communities and has worked on a variety of projects prior to her current role here at UC ANR, including a vulnerability assessment for the City of Alameda’s Climate Action Plan, a community garden design project for the Black Cultural Zone in Oakland, CA; and the installation of a native plant hedgerow at ANV Farm. Marisa has been a farmer since 2020 and is particularly passionate about community education, farmer-to-farmer knowledge, ecological restoration, and strong local food systems.
Having grown up in Madera, she is acutely aware of the unique culture and needs in the Valley. She envisions a thriving local food system in the Central Valley where small farmers can sustain themselves through strong local markets, community, and institutional support.
Marisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. She studies Agroecology and Botanical Illustration at Merritt College, and is a Clinical Herbalism student.
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Yonatan Weinberg, Food Innovation and Small Business Coordinator
yweinberg@ucanr.edu​​
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Yonatan Weinberg brings his passion for better food systems and agroecology to the F3 Local team. After encountering the productive and delicious alternatives to grassy lawns, he became active in urban food projects. Later on, in his Master's degree program, he studied the economic reasons that led conventional farmers to alternative and regional food markets. His findings showed pathways for local economic development through improved food systems. This has led him to the work he does today, supporting local food processing and development, for the economic, environmental, and sovereign benefit of Central Valley communities.
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Sarah Del Pozo, Food Business Specialist
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Sarah Del Pozo is a Food Business Specialist for F3 Local, and a Coordinator for the Master Food Preservers of Fresno, Madera, and Merced Counties. With a focus on healthy and functioning food systems In her roles, Sarah provides access to education and resources to food entrepreneurs and small-scale farmers through outreach. She is inspired by her love for the Central Valley’s unique farming landscape and is dedicated to helping make a shift in the way we access food and feed ourselves.
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Sarah holds a degree in Psychology, a Master’s in Business Administration, and is both a certified Master Food Preserver and Master Gardener, with a background in academic advising.
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Tara Sweeney, Food Business Specialist
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Tara Sweeney is also a F3 Local Food Business Specialist at UC ANR. Previously, as a Food Policy Project Manager, they advocated for food and nutrition sovereignty, uniting community members from diverse sectors—including industry, government, public agencies, and non-profits—to promote the social, economic, and environmental health and equity of Central California’s local food systems. In their role as Marketing Director, Tara leveraged their journalism expertise to deliver crucial resources on safety, compliance, and innovation within the agribusiness sector. As a passionate locavore, Tara is dedicated to using their experience to support small, local food and farm businesses. Through outreach, education, and personalized technical assistance, they aim to help strengthen the local economy and foster a more equitable and sustainable regional food system.
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Gaëlle Chanlot Delarue, PhD, Food and Consumer Scientist
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Gaëlle Chanlot is a Food and Consumer Scientist with over a decade of experience across industry and academia, from global brands to entrepreneurial ventures. She brings a unique perspective to innovation across diverse sectors—including food industry, cosmetics, fine fragrance, and education.
Driven by a strong belief in consumer-centered innovation, Gaëlle is passionate about creating products and solutions that resonate with real needs and behaviors. She sees collaboration as a cornerstone for building resilient, local, and sustainable food systems.
As a member of the F3 local team, Gaëlle is committed to promoting a consumer-driven approach in the development of local food businesses. Her research focuses on the unique characteristics of local crops, food markets, and consumer behaviors. She works closely with farmers and entrepreneurs, providing them with strategic insights to support growth, sustainability, and meaningful community impact.
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Amber Butland, Lending Library Coordinator
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Amber joined the F3 Local team with UC ANR in February 2025. A native to rural Ohio, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and has lived in Fresno since 2021. In her previous role with the Climate Smart Agriculture Program at UC ANR, she worked with growers in the Fresno area on the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Through her work in that role, she gained experience in providing growers with access to equipment that is often necessary to the implementation of many climate-smart agricultural practices. Amber recognizes that without access to the right equipment for the job, small farmers are often presented with barriers to making their business more profitable and more sustainable. Amber is eager to work with the F3 Local team and partner organizations to increase equipment accessibility to growers in the Central Valley on a larger scale.
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Juan Francisco Rodriguez Hernandez, Agricultural Technician
jfrodriguezhernandez@ucanr.edu
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Francisco brings to the team a unique technical skillset, and has a passion for agriculture and climate-smart technologies. He provides small farmers with technical assistance in areas related to agricultural technology, equipment operations, and safety through hands-on trainings, workshops, and demonstrations. His role also involves managing farm machinery, ensuring efficiency and reliability in the field. Driven by innovation, Francisco strives to enhance productivity, sustainability, and safety, helping farmers adapt to modern agricultural advancements.
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Francisco holds a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science from California State University, Fresno.
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Juan Francisco Rodriguez Hernandez, Agricultural Technician
jfrodriguezhernandez@ucanr.edu
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Francisco brings to the team a unique technical skillset, and has a passion for agriculture and climate-smart technologies. He provides small farmers with technical assistance in areas related to agricultural technology, equipment operations, and safety through hands-on trainings, workshops, and demonstrations. His role also involves managing farm machinery, ensuring efficiency and reliability in the field. Driven by innovation, Francisco strives to enhance productivity, sustainability, and safety, helping farmers adapt to modern agricultural advancements.
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Francisco holds a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science from California State University, Fresno.
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