Full-time Staff
Dan Bellrichard, Sustainability Coordinator
Dan Bellrichard is a native of Austin, MN and a 2001 graduate of Luther College. While at Luther he majored in Math and Economics, met his future wife, enjoyed the wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities of the area, and fell in love with the community in and around Decorah. Dan's life changed significantly (for the better!) when he served as a small business development volunteer with the Peace Corps in Mali, West Africa from 2001-2003. He continued doing service work from 2004-2005 as a VISTA volunteer in Albuquerque, NM with ACCION New Mexico, a microfinance non-profit. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters (Liza, Lulu, and Poppy). playing disc golf, and dreaming of the next way he'd like to make the world a little better. Dan's favorite motto is "Live simply so others may simply live".
Eric Holthaus, Energy and Waste Steward
Eric Holthaus is from Dixon, IL and is in his first year of life in Decorah, IA. He thinks it's a gem. He studied geography at the University of Iowa, interned in their sustainability office, and fell in love with the vibrant downtown—what felt more like a big backyard. Passionate about sustainability and community, he ventured to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed his Master of Urban Planning degree in May 2011. There, he coordinated their Eco-Reps program and became close to the community thanks to his job at Common Ground Food Cooperative. Eric's excited to be in Decorah—the town where his father grew up—empowering sustainability in a place full of great people, pride, and beauty. Catch him in his office, at Norse soccer games, or at Oneota Community Food Coop!
Maren Stumme-Diers, Sustainable Food Educator
Maren Stumme-Diers works with the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative and Luther College as a Sustainable Foods Educator. At Luther Maren works on Edible landscaping, campus gardens, community gardens and the facilitation of education opportunities related to food. On behalf of Food and Fitness she is working with the Waukon schools and will provide support to school gardens and food service directors throughout the region as they work to incorporate more local food into the menu. Maren graduated from Luther College with degrees in Environmental Studies and Spanish.
Student Workers
Dan
Eric Holthaus
Maren