Staff
Susanne Richards
Susanne Richards is the current Executive Director of the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. Susanne comes to MAEF from the Delaware Soybean Board, where she was executive director for 14 years, and the Maryland Soybean Board, where she was a communications contractor from 1994 to 2017 and executive director from 2017 to 2019. During her time with the boards, she fundraised and locally coordinated the Mid-Atlantic Farmers Feed Us program, an online ag education campaign; co-created and directed the popular My Maryland Farmers website and social media campaign; facilitated the establishment of the Atlantic Soybean Council, a regional soybean research organization; and aligned the boards’ programs and budgets with their strategic plans. She was recognized by Gov. Bob Ehrlich for her contributions to promoting the biodiesel industry. Susanne and her parents, John and Ann Richards, and her nephew, Shawn Richards, operate Sheepfield Farm just south of Leonardtown in St. Mary’s County, raising cut flowers and lawn ornaments that “baa.”
Genevieve Stephenson
I am excited to work for MAEF as an Executive Assistant. I can’t wait to learn more about the uniqueness of Maryland Agriculture. My background is in nursing, and I still currently hold an LVN/LPN license in the state of California. I have been a military spouse for the last 11 years. I have one daughter and 2 fur babies. I enjoy Ravens football, traveling and eating good food.
Jessica Ross
I love supporting hands-on agricultural and science education programs for students and educators. I bring a strong organizational mindset and a genuine passion for education, helping ensure each lab experience runs smoothly and leaves a lasting impact on students. I am currently pursuing a degree in Human Resource Management with a minor in Business Administration at the University of Maryland Global Campus. I live at the beach in Florida and enjoy running. My husband is a retired Army sergeant, and together we own and operate our own RV repair business. We have two daughters and two dogs.
Terrie Shank
Terrie Shank serves as the Director of High School and Post Secondary Education and as the executive director for Maryland FFA Association. Before joining MAEF, Terrie taught high school agriculture for 32 years in Washington County, retiring from Clear Spring High School. Her views of building agriculture programs and providing teacher training and support directly link to MAEF’s overall mission. Terrie has received multiple awards from the public school system, Maryland Agriculture Teachers Association, and National FFA Association. She is a graduate of LEAD Maryland Class VII. In her spare time, Terrie likes to travel and help in the operation of her family dairy farm, Palmyra Farm, LLC, in Washington County.
Tonya Wible
Tonya Wible is the Elementary Education Director for MAEF. She has not only classroom experience, but a personal connection to agriculture and extensive work in agricultural education program development and management. After teaching 3rd grade for 6 years, Tonya left the classroom to help PA Friends of Ag Foundation start their Mobile Ag Ed Science Lab program. In this role, she was able to merge her passion for education with her appreciation for agriculture that she gained growing up on a dairy farm in southcentral PA. During her time with the Foundation, she grew their Ag Lab program into a statewide program, as well as initiated and developed numerous other educational outreach programs with an agricultural focus. In the fall of 2020, Tonya returned to classroom instruction with Commonwealth Charter Academy, where she incorporated agriculture into the virtual lessons. She is excited to be back in the ag arena and focused on maintaining, as well as growing, the quality ag education programs at MAEF. She currently lives on a small beef farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, Steve, and daughter, Elyana.
Naomi Knight
Naomi Knight is the Program Coordinator for the Maryland FFA Association, working closely with the MD FFA Executive Director, Terrie Shank. Naomi retired as an agriculture teacher after 32 years, 30 in Harford County and her first 2 years in Frederick County. Naomi’s major accomplishments include: Outstanding Teacher Award, Region 6 of the National Association of Agriculture Educators (NAAE), Finalist in the National FFA Agrscience Teacher of the Year Program, and has earned both the American FFA Degree and the Honorary American FFA Degree. Naomi has devoted her life’s work in agriculture, growing up on her dad’s dairy farm and marrying a dairy farmer of 32 years.
Victoria Stone
Victoria Stone is the Middle School Education Director for MAEF. After a 12-year career with the University of Maryland Extension – Cecil County 4-H Youth Development, Victoria joined MAEF in February of 2022. Throughout her time with UME-4H Victoria delivered hands-on experiential learning opportunities to 4000 + youth annually. These programs included community mentoring, STEM, leadership, and agriculture. Victoria is affectionately known as the “Chicken Lady” around the Cecil County Public School System as she has delivered chick embryology lessons to over 10,000 Kindergarten and 7th grade students. Victoria is excited to use her background in Youth Development, Agriculture, Learning Design and Technology to further MAEF’s mission and strategic plan. Victoria resides in Cecil County, MD with her family on what she refers to as her “mini farm” with her miniature call ducks and a host of other animals.
Ben Brown
Ben is the Director of Communications for MAEF. After growing up on a family farm on the eastern shore of Maryland, Ben then graduated from the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Now a resident of Baltimore City, Ben takes pride in being the go-to resource for friends and neighbors who have questions or concerns about their deck and patio planters. Through 4-H, the College of Ag, and his career, Ben has had the opportunity to work with local, state, and national events and organizations and loves being able to share his passion for agriculture with anyone who will listen.
Amanda Montgomery
Amanda is the Outreach Education Coordinator for MAEF, working with our Showcases, Ag on the Moove and all outward facing educational programing. Reach out to her from more information on our outward reaching education opportunities! Showcase@MAEFonline.com
