Farm to Fork 2026

Jasmin LeBlanc is the Founder and Executive Director of Roots & Harvest Community,a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Missouri’s first rural Farm Stop, based in Ash Grove. She leads the development of producer-centered Farm Stop models that expand market access for small and mid-sized farms while increasing food access and health outcomes in rural communities. Under her leadership, Roots & Harvest serves producers across 14 counties and operates as a proof-of-concept site within the national Farm Stop network.

Originally from Vermont, where local food systems are deeply embedded in rural culture,Jasmin brings a long-standing passion for community-based food economies to her work in the Midwest. Her experience spans nonprofit leadership, rural retail and aggregation models, and the integration of Food-as-Medicine programming,including partnerships that connect local farmers with healthcare and community access points.

In2025, Roots & Harvest Community received the Missouri Farm-to-Table Award, recognizing its leadership in strengthening local food systems and advancing rural food access. Jasmin is also a mother of four teenagers, a perspective that shapes her commitment to building resilient food systems that support both farm viability and community health for future generations.

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Connect with Roots & Harvest at https://www.rootsandharvestcommunity.org/