4
people MAKE A
Difference
Q: How long have you worked with Buy Haywood?
I joined the leadership team at Buy Haywood in September of 2012
and have been privileged to serve as Project Coordinator since 2013.
For your readers who may not be familiar with Buy Haywood—it
is a project of the Haywood Advancement Foundation designed to
support Haywood County farmers, locally grown products, farmlands
and the preservation of our rich agricultural heritage.
Q: Why did you make it your mission to help local farmers?
I first became interested in food and farming systems when I was in
graduate school. In fact, it is the impetus behind my master’s thesis.
The year after I graduated, a member of the leadership team at Buy
Haywood reached out to me signaling an opportunity to join the
organization. After learning more about the mission and pioneering
work that had already been accomplished I couldn’t say yes quickly
enough. Working with Buy Haywood has been an incredible opportunity
to marry my academic expertise with a passion for local
agriculture that stems from my own rural upbringing and familial
farming heritage—all while impacting the community where we are
raising our three children. Working at such an intimate grass roots
level has been nothing short of extraordinary! Haywood is home to a
vibrant and diverse community of farmers, growers, producers, agripreneurs
and farm-to-table chefs. They are an incredibly colorful,
driven, enthusiastic lot. I love being in their orbit.
Q: What other volunteer efforts are you involved with?
Over the years I have been involved with a number of wonderful
organizations including Haywood County Master Gardeners,
Shelton House and Richie’s Alliance for Autism. At the moment,
TINA THOMPSON MASCIARELLI, MLA
Project Coordinator at Buy Haywood
We first met Tina last year and
were blown away by how much
she juggled and what she was
doing with Buy Haywood -
a project of the Haywood
Advancement Foundation.
She is one of those people
who takes advantage of every
single minute of the day and
inspires us to do the same!
PHOTO: ED KELLEY