Our People

As a cooperative, we are defined by our people. Our goal is to have all the people who work with us be worker-members of the cooperative, allowing all of us to gain the full benefits of cooperative membership. Although most of our people initially join us to fulfill a particular role, over time everyone is encouraged to broaden their skills and wear many hats.

MACHELLE & NARENDRA VARMA – FOUNDERS
Machelle, Narendra and their two kids moved to Portland in 2010 to bring this project to fruition. The proximity of excellent farmland to Portland’s urban core offers a promising foundation for the breadth and depth of the experiment. Alongside a commitment to Permaculture principles and ethics, Narendra brings financial expertise and capital to the project.

KAREN HICKS – FARM MANAGER
Karen has a background as a family physician, and is working to combine her medical expertise with farming. She came to Our Table in 2012 after spending a year in the Beginning Urban Farm Apprenticeship program run by OSU Extension and Multnomah County. Karen manages all aspects of our farm operations.

FARM TEAM