West Side Farmers Market is a 501c3 non-profit governed by a volunteer board

Meet the Current Board

Angela Conrath – At Large (2022)
Angela Conrath is a University of Minnesota graduate; she lived and worked in NE Minneapolis for over a decade before moving with her husband and daughter to St Paul’s Phalen neighborhood. Prior to selling real estate, Angela worked in the public sector as a social worker. Angela is trustworthy, a good communicator, and her motto is…listen first! “Listening…and not assuming, is something people really appreciate.” Angela served on the Board at Domestic Abuse Project for 6 years and over 4 years on the Minnesota Waldorf School Board. Angela’s interests are in development, fundraising and connecting communities with resources. She is delighted to combine Board work with her passion for all things food and community!

Laura Gosewisch – President (2019)
Laura Gosewisch is the founder of Vital Ground Farm and has been a vendor with the West Side Farmers Market since 2016. She uses her unique combination of experience with bodywork and farming to cultivate healing and sustainability for people and the earth together. She works tirelessly to build connections between people, food, and farms and earned her bachelor’s degree in Supportive Leadership from Metropolitan State University in the College of Individualized Studies. Laura has been on the planning committees and Board of the West Side Farmers Market throughout our transition to becoming a 501(c)3 non-profit, she is dedicated to our mission and the market’s role in revolutionizing the food system.

Brad Johnson – Treasurer (2022)

Brad is a Saint Paul kid, born, raised, and rooted. He’s lived in several neighborhoods around the city and currently resides just blocks from the WSFM.He has many passions including his home city, community building, and small batch local and affordable foods.When he’s not supporting a local business nearby, you can find him hanging with his two daughters arguing about who gets the remote.

Matthias Peterson-Brandt – Secretary (2022)
Matthias moved with his family to Minnesota in the summer of 2019, landing in the West Side. Right away the WSFM became a regular staple of Saturday mornings. The WSFM’s sense of community, support for local agriculture, delicious fresh foods, celebration of arts and music, and concern for addressing climate change all connect with his own passions. Now he is excited to support the market on the board. Matthias brings skills in volunteer management, fundraising, grant-writing, and community building. He is delighted to serve as pastor at Cherokee Park United Church on the West Side. Among his pastimes and interests are ultimate frisbee, gaming, reading, and endless imaginative games with his two children.

Laurie Sovell – Vice President (2020)
Laurie grew up in that other Twin City and became a West Sider, along with her two kids and husband, 17 years ago. She loves the river and works to connect people all over Minnesota with our waters by helping them track river health. She has a particular interest in the connections between food systems, watersheds, and people and can’t wait to dive into the work of the WSFM!

Interested in joining the board?

Board applications are closed for the year, but we are always interested in talking to people interested in working with us. Please contact us with any questions about getting involved at
board@westsidefarmersmarket.net