“I am humbled and honored to receive an award for outstanding community work in Denville. Especially in Denville that is an exemplary town with a robust community who are dedicated to making a difference with volunteerism and charitable efforts, this honor means a great deal. The Denville Good Scout Award comes in a time when I am reflecting on the market journey as we are going into 10th growing season. It is a great privilege to have built the Farmers’ Market into a significant social meeting place for the community; it is not only a venue for fresh food shopping, but to have a chance to socialize with friends, neighbors and co-worker. Sometimes it feels as if time slows down at the market when you spend time outside, thinking of the weekly fresh menu and shopping list while catching up with vendors and friends at the market. There is also an opportunity to meet the local not-for profit organizations and its volunteers who often attend the market for community outreach”
Liisi grew up in Estonia on a small farm. While her parents worked full time jobs outside of the farm, they also used their land and labor to serve their own family of 7 fresh and natural meals, and frequently invited their friends and neighbors over for a true farm to table experience. This instilled a sense of community and health into Liisi early in life, as well as an appreciation of farmers, and the hard work and planning the job demands.
After moving to Denville, she had an opportunity to start a farmers’ market for our community here, letting her share the experience of bringing friends and neighbors together around the joy of fresh, natural food from the small farms that surround us.
Ten years later, Denville Farmers’ Market’s 28 vendors and up to 3000 market visitors, come together on a market Sunday. Liisi has impacted our youth by providing them a platform to talk to the community of market visitors, whether it’s an 8 year old doing a fundraiser for Project Playground, a middle school group showcasing a Green Fair or Scouts promoting troop work. You can usually find the center of the market dedicated to community activities.
“It has been an energizing commitment to grow the market by adding more farms to our evolving vendor list, providing an opportunity to local food startups for testing out their food business concepts and most importantly meet so many engaged community members. Every Sunday is a bustling social scene at the market that makes the behind the scene management rewarding and fun.”
Liisi has a busy, active family life with three children. She is an active member at her home community in Indian Lake. Liisi has a career job at Novartis as Learning Operations Manager