Meet the Members

Jasmine Chaffee: Program Director

Jasmine has always had a love for the outdoors and the environment. As a child she spent her summers exploring the north woods of Wisconsin from a canoe, kayak or with a backpack on. After high school, Jasmine worked as a summer adventure camp counselor leading backcountry trips, facilitating ropes courses, and overseeing the garden and compost facilities. During the school year, she worked for Boston University as an experiential education teacher at a satellite school in New Hampshire. Eventually, she made her way out west and attended the University of Montana, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in sustainable agriculture and business.

Jasmine began working for the Montana Department of Agriculture in 2014. She has worked in the pesticide licensing, apiary, and noxious weed programs and is currently the State Noxious Weed Coordinator and AgCorps Director. Her favorite part of the job is working with land managers across the state and supporting their efforts to combat noxious weeds and improve native habitat. When not at work, she enjoys exploring the woods and rivers of Montana with her dogs and husband, gardening, and making paper flowers.

Amanda Coyle: Program Coordinator

Amanda has a background in Environmental and International Studies. Her passion for the Environment really took form with a study abroad program in Tanzania where she studied the wildlife as well as the effects Climate Change on local farmers. Since then, she has worked in multiple wildlife sanctuaries and outdoor education positions.

 With a dedicated passion for service, Amanda has volunteered for many organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue, Hospitality Helping Hands and Prickly Pear Land Trust. Her more formal journey of service started with the Peace Corps in Mongolia where she served two years as a secondary School English Teacher. Returning early due to COVID 19 opened her eyes to the world of AmeriCorps where she served as Team Lead for Montana State Parks AmeriCorps. That journey led her to where she is now as the program coordinator for AgCorps.

Sydney

Hi, I’m Sydney. I graduated from the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology with my bachelors. I have a strong interest in the role of drones in hive systems and the self-medicating behaviors of honeybees. Eventually, I would like to pursue a doctorate in Entomology, with a focus in Apiculture.  

During my time with AgCorps, I hope to contribute to the departments CAPS program and engage the public in meaningful discussions about the importance of pollinators. My free time, however, will be filled with art classes, reading, and exploring Montana’s natural beauty.

Marianne

My name is Marianne Morrison. I am originally from Green Bay, WI but have lived in Boise, ID for the past 30 years. I have a degree in Journalism, but most of my career has been spent in corporate marketing and real estate investment. I am most excited to turn my passion for gardening and food rescue into a service project with Helena Food Share. I enjoy anything outdoors: swimming, hiking, skiing – so Montana is a great fit for me.

Karoline

My name is Karoline Glamzi and I am from Michigan. I graduated with a degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Michigan in 2024. I am so excited to be apart of this program, and I can't wait to help protect the planet-one recycled pesticide container at a time. I'll also have the chance to directly interact with the community at pesticide container recycling events and see the state of Montana! I enjoy arts and crafts, hanging out with my dog and being outdoors. 

Evan

My name is Evan Murphy. I am from Indiana, with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Purdue University with a focus on environmental policy. I enjoy reading, hiking, and sketching. I am incredibly excited to help fight noxious weed growth on hiking trails throughout Montana, as well as connecting with many organizations and people who are passionate towards revitalizing Montana's native flora species.

Debbie

My name is Debbie Queen. I have been living in Llandeilo, Wales, UK for around 30 years, and have strong connections to California. I have a MA in Cultural Landscape Management with a background in senior management for conservation and agriculture charities. I am SO excited about this service opportunity - I get to use my skills and experience in agritourism while meeting and supporting interesting people, in beautiful places, who are creating unique activities to help diversify and grow their income from their land. 

In my free time, I enjoy baking and fermenting, exploring new places on foot (in town or in the wilds!), travelling, gardening (and visiting gardens), and jigsaw puzzles.

Brooke

My name is Brooke Mills and I’m serving as the Noxious Weed Mapping and Monitoring Specialist. I am from Atlanta, Georgia, where I have lived for my entire life until this year. I graduated in 2024 with a degree in Environmental Science with a focus in Social Science and Policy from Emory University. I have always had a love of the outdoors, but my passion for the environment and conservation really took off during the travel courses I took the college: to The Bahamas, Namibia, and Peru. I am super excited to be working in Montana where I hope to visit many outstanding places and learn about weed identification and management. I also look forward to expanding my GIS knowledge and learning to integrate new tools to make informative maps for everybody. I am currently wrapping up an online certificate for GIS from Michigan State University. In my free time, I enjoy riding horses or staying inside and curling up with a good book and a hot cup of tea.

Halle

My name is Halle Gardner, and I'm from just outside Kansas City, Kansas. I just graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in Anthropology and a minor in Environmental Studies. I've always been very interested in the connections between people and nature, and now I'm working as the Noxious Weed Education and Outreach Specialist with the Montana Department of Agriculture. I'm very excited to get into classrooms and start teaching kids how to identify different harmful plants, but I'm even more excited to get out on the trails and get some hands-on experience pulling weeds! In my free time, I enjoy reading, hiking, and exploring Helena!

Blanca

My name is Blanca Venegas and I am a Southern CA native serving my 2nd consecutive year with AmeriCorps. My background as a classically trained chef and love for gardening led me to Helena’s Harvest of the Month program where I'm able to combine three of my most favorite things, food, cooking and agriculture. I have a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu and am currently studying Environmental Science and Geographic Information Systems. My previous AmeriCorps service was at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa where I lived on a farm. I am excited to explore Helena’s nature, culture, and charm, and possibly pick up a new hobby! I love to cook, spend time with family and friends, and forage whether it's for wild food or pre-loved finds at thrift stores.