Dear Seed St. Louis Community,
My name is Savannah Rigley, and I am deeply honored to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of Seed St. Louis.
Seed St. Louis exists because we believe everyone deserves access to fresh, healthy food and the knowledge, tools, and support to grow it. Across our region, community gardens do more than produce food. They strengthen neighborhoods, build relationships, increase self-reliance, and create places where people can gather, learn, heal, and thrive. That mission is powerful, and I am grateful to join this community at such an exciting moment.
In my first few weeks, I have been inspired by the staff, volunteers, gardeners, partners, and supporters who bring this mission to life every day. Together, you have built an extraordinary network rooted in food freedom, community leadership, and the belief that people should have a meaningful role in shaping the health and future of their own neighborhoods.
Before looking ahead, I want to offer my sincere thanks to Cheryl Adelstein. During her ten months as Interim Executive Director, Cheryl provided steady, thoughtful leadership and helped create a strong foundation for Seed St. Louis’ next chapter. Because of her care and commitment, we are well-positioned to continue growing our reach, deepening our partnerships, and strengthening our impact.
A bit about me: I am a data and process person, but at my core, I am a community builder. While I am new to the community garden space, I bring deep experience in building collaborations, strengthening organizations, and expanding impact. I come to Seed St. Louis from the animal welfare field, where I served as Executive Director of the Belleville Area Humane Society. There, I helped lead work that supported organizations across southern Illinois while honoring each shelter’s independence, needs, and long-term sustainability.
That experience aligns closely with what Seed St. Louis does so well. We do not impose one vision of what a garden should be. We support community members as they build the gardens that are right for them. Today, Seed St. Louis serves as a resource to more than 250 community, school, and individual gardens, providing the technical assistance, education, tools, and support that help people grow food and strengthen their communities.
At its heart, Seed St. Louis is about empowerment. We help residents, students, families, and neighbors turn land into nourishment, ideas into action, and shared spaces into sources of pride and possibility. As we look ahead, I am excited to build on this legacy by strengthening our programs, expanding partnerships, and ensuring more people across the St. Louis region have access to the resources they need to grow healthy food and vibrant communities.
Most importantly, I look forward to getting to know you. Seed St. Louis is strong because of the people who believe in this mission, including our donors, volunteers, gardeners, partners, and advocates. Your support makes this work possible, and I am eager to listen, learn, and work alongside you as we enter this next chapter together.
I hope you will join me at Fair & Fare on the Farm on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Rung for Women. This special event celebrates food, family, community, and the abundance of Seed St. Louis’ garden network while raising critical support for programs that strengthen the local food system and empower residents to grow their own food.
Thank you for welcoming me into this extraordinary community. I am inspired by what Seed St. Louis has already accomplished, and I am even more excited for what we will grow together.
Warmly,
Savannah Rigley
Executive Director
Seed St. Louis
