New executive director appointed for gardens

Wasatch Community Gardens will welcome a new executive director today.

Claire Raffel, who has six years' experience running programs in nonprofit and community foundations, has been selected by the WCG's board of directors to replace Emily Aagaard, who is leaving after three years in the position.

Raffel most recently ran Utah Food Bank Services' child nutrition programs.

"Claire brings a breadth of professional experience, as well as a strong background in food security issues and passion for working with underserved populations to her new position," said Ashley Patterson, chairwoman of the WCG board. "In every previous role, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and promises to be an outstanding liaison to the food-security community in the Salt Lake City area."

Wasatch Community Gardens was founded in 1989 to provide opportunities for inner-city people to grow food in community gardens and to teach ecological awareness and organic-gardening methods to Salt Lake area residents.