THE TEAM

JOSEPH DALESSIO

Joe Dalessio is a Tampa native who developed a passion for farming early on. He studied Environmental Microbiology and Geology at USF. Soon after graduation, he began pursuing a career growing local produce in the Bay area. He is one of the founders and an owner-operator of Meacham Urban Farm.

You can find him in the field, managing the farm store, or deep in the books studying up on plant varieties, farming practices, and business strategies.

Favorite Crop: Beets

TRAVIS MALLOY

Travis has lived in the Tampa area for 30 years. He started a small family farm, TrailBale, just east of Tampa and is one of the founders of Meacham Urban Farm. He helped start the Temple Terrace Community Gardens and the Temple Terrace Farmers Market.

Travis is focused on supporting and participating in the local food system. His primary responsibilities at Meacham are the education programs, the chickens, and community outreach.

Favorite Crop: Broccoli.

Nicole Kubilins

Nicole’s passion has always been food. It started at a young age with cooking and helping with anything in the kitchen, but the passion intensified every year when she helped plant and harvest her backyard vegetable garden at her childhood home. Nicole went on to graduate from Auburn University with a degree in horticulture with an emphasis in fruit and vegetable production.

After a year of traveling around the world and working on different farms, Nicole started at Meacham as a full-time farmer in 2020. Nicole is now Meacham Urban Farm’s Chef, event coordinator and social media manager.

Favorite Crop: Tomatoes

Stephen Fox

Stephen grew up in South Florida and after high school attended the University of Florida for a degree in Anthropology. He went on to get his masters degree in Global Sustainability at the University of South Florida while working at Meacham Urban Farm. He has worked at Meacham since the beginning of 2020 and has become the Field Manager for the farm. His passion for farming comes from wanting to increase food security and sustainable agriculture in his community. He also started and manages the For the People Food Plot in V.M. Ybor. 

Favorite Crop: Banana

Christy Lee Hammond

Christy Lee is our west coaster (TX, CO, ID, & WA). She grew up in a family of restaurant industry professionals who love for food and service led her to hold many positions during her restaurant career with a passion to work within spaces that emphasized locally grown food to the region where she lived. She moved to Tampa in 2022 with her husband and pup! After working briefly in corporate grocery and being dissatisfied with the lack of quality product, she found her way to Meacham to connect herself back to the local food system. Christy Lee is our store manager handling ordering, inventory, displays, and customer satisfaction.

Favorite Crop: Cauliflower OR Arugula