Our People
GINNETTE SIMKO
Executive Director
Ginnette brings a rich background in non-profit leadership and higher education administration, along with over a decade of hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, to Farming with Friends. But what truly fuels her passion is her role as the mother of an adult child with disabilities.
Through her journey, Ginnette has witnessed the profound healing power of sunshine, soil, and shared purpose. She believes that when people come together to grow food, they also grow understanding, empathy, and community.
At Farming with Friends, Ginnette sees more than just a farm. She sees a vibrant space where individuals with disabilities can find meaningful employment, where people of all abilities can connect in a safe, joyful, and healthy environment, and where stigma gives way to solidarity. With 15–25% of the population identifying as disabled, this work is not just important—it’s essential.
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She warmly invites you to visit the farm and discover what it truly means to “build community from the ground up.”
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Want to learn more or schedule a tour? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime!
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ginnette@farmingwithfriends.org
216.235.4155
ALEX CLAUS
Farm Hand
Alex Claus, age 25, brings a wealth of business education and experience to Farming with Friends. He graduated in December of 2023 with an Associates of Applied Business from Tri-C, where he gained skills in areas of management, marketing, and accounting. He also completed a two-year Business Marketing Technology program through the Medina County Career Center.
Alex lives with his parents and has one sister, Natalie. Alex's family is deeply entrenched in their passions. His father manages the engineering department for Systems Seals, while his mother takes care of the home and pursues interests in nature and art.
Alex has a wide range of personal interests including global cuisines such as Japanese, Thai, Mexican, and Italian foods. He also loves to travel and has been to Rome and Dublin. Finally, Alex really enjoys are such as pottery and painting.
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SAM BRADY
Farm Hand
Hi, I’m Sam! I’m 23 years old. I went to the Medina County Career Center for Animal Care. At home I have a big garden, chickens, and pets. I like how each animal has a different personality. I usually like smaller dogs, but as you can see in the picture, I have a big one! His name is Jeff and he is a Great Dane.
I collect crystals and trinkets. Purple crystals, like amethysts or grape agates, are my favorite.
I really like working at Farming with Friends, especially packing eggs and learning new things. The people I work with are smart, talkative, and have unique personalities.
JOE TOTH
Farm Hand
Hi, my name is Joe. I am 23. I've lived in Brunswick Hills all my life. I used to help my parents raise chickens and ducks. They are both my favorite. I also have 2 cattle dog puppies I love to spend time with.​​ I have always planted different types of peppers in our garden. I enjoy growing the hottest peppers in the world. My next goal is to find the pepper X and grow that, which is supposed to be the new hottest pepper there is.
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I also have a huge interest in cars. I attend several car shows around the US. I enjoy video gaming, which I collect all the retro gaming units from Atari to Xbox One.
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I really enjoy working at Farming with Friends. Not only am I learning a lot, but I have made some good friends there.
DENNIS SOMOGYI
Farm Assistant
Hello there everyone! My name is Dennis and I sort of been around places. But most of my life I have been raised in the middle of nowhere trying to find a stable place until my family moved to where we are now in Medina. My family and I tend to make little projects here and there so I know a fair share of farming and construction.
I will admit I do not know everything but I do enjoy learning. My first job started me in a small greenhouse which led me here. I never expected to be working on a farm but things happen like that. I haven't been working much at the time of writing this but I do hope this place goes well and I can possibly meet you all in one way shape or form.
As for interests I usually just enjoy playing games, some small farming, a bit of a builder and mechanic, among other things. I am a big animal person growing up around chickens, cats, dogs, and horses. I also did go to the Medina County Career Center for software engineering and website development. Overall that is a bit about me.
If you would like to learn more come on down and visit us whenever you got a chance. And until next time I hope you all enjoy your time doing whatever you all enjoy!
BRIAN SIMKO
Board Member - President
My wife, Ginnette, and I discovered this wonderful organization through the Hinckley Record, a free publication for residents of Hinckley, where we have lived for the past seven years. Our son, Sam Brady, developed a disability in 2023 and given Ginnette's long-time relationship and work experience with agriculture, this was a fortuitous and natural fit for our family.
I have walked a fair few paths though the course of my life and career. Professionally, I completed a BFA and MFA with sculpture as my emphasis, and now manage a talented team at user experience designers at Progressive. I've lived in Seattle, Chicago and Denver over the past 20 years, and I hope to bring a diverse and out-of-the-box perspective to this amazing organization.
This is an important and altruistic cause, which I am honored to be a part of, and I will aim to help shape its future with my talents as we grow together.
Tiffany O'Neill
Board Member - Treasurer
Tiffany O’Neill is a mission-driven entrepreneur and the founder of Bainbridge Blooms, a small scale herb and flower farm in Bainbridge, Ohio. After building a career in corporate photography, she made a shift toward regenerative farming and plant-based wellness in search of more meaningful, community-centered work.
She studied sustainable agriculture through Ohio State University and gained hands-on experience interning at several local farms.
In 2022, Tiffany and her husband launched Bainbridge Blooms with the goal of growing not just herbs and flowers, but also connection, healing, and beauty. Her work blends creativity, sustainability, and a deep love for the land.
As a sister to a brother who uses a wheelchair, Tiffany is especially passionate about inclusivity and creating welcoming, accessible spaces for all. She believes small farms can play a big role in building stronger, more compassionate communities — and she’s proud to contribute through both her business and nonprofit involvement.
Hannah Billingsley
Board Member - Secretary
Born and raised in Shaker Heights, Hannah spent her childhood riding horses and discovering the joy and beauty of all things domestic through episodes of Martha Stewart Living.
She has a BA in African Studies from Columbia University and lived in Cape Town, South Africa from 2005-2006 and again from 2013-2019, where she had a small fruit pie business and developed an interest in green philosophy and conservatism.
Hannah dreams of homesteading on a small plot that follows Wendell Berry's law for good farming (borrowed from Wes Jackson): "That there is a ratio between eyes and acres, between farm size and farm hands, that is correct." She's very interested in permaculture, apiculture, and silvopasture, aspires to teach kitchen gardening to suburban residents, and is absolutely thrilled to be a part of Farming with Friends.
Lori Mayer
Board Member
Lori Mayer is a devoted wife, mother, and community volunteer. She and her high school sweetheart, Ethan, have two sons: Nathan, who works in the tech industry and recently married, and Andrew, who lives at home and works on a local farm. Andrew, born with a congenital heart defect and having undergone three surgeries, also faces learning and mental health challenges, but finds joy and purpose in farming.
Lori began her career in healthcare as a licensed practical nurse after shifting from business studies at the University of Akron. She later ran an in-home daycare before retiring to manage the rental properties she and Ethan own.
An active member of Northampton United Methodist Church, Lori serves as a trustee and volunteers often. She enjoys outdoor activities and finds peace in tending for her chickens, working in the garden and is grateful for her family’s connection to farming. Andrew’s newfound love for the farm, is a source of gratitude and joy for Lori, who cherishes the sense of community it brings.
Scott Freeman
Board Member - Vice President
I’m a web developer with a heart for community, connection, and care. I joined the Farming with Friends board because I believe in the power of inclusive spaces—especially those rooted in the land and nurtured by people who show up for one another.
By day, I help build accessible, human-centered digital experiences. Seasonally, I assist on a farm in Michigan as a greenskeeper, where I’ve learned firsthand the rhythm of the seasons and the joy of watching things grow. Both online and off, I’m drawn to the details that help communities thrive.
My brother is autistic, and I am his legal guardian, which is a role that has shaped the way I think about care, advocacy, and what _real_ support looks like. Farming with Friends feels like an extension of those values—centering dignity, inclusion, and belonging.
Outside of work, I geek out over fractals, sacred geometry, AI, and the mysteries of consciousness. I believe that the best things in life—whether in code, compost, or community—grow stronger with intention, curiosity, and kindness.
