About Us - Seasonal Roots

Happier, healthier homes and communities start here.

In 2011, Seasonal Roots began uniting people in Virginia and Maryland with local farmers and artisans to cultivate a community that not only eats better, but lives better too.

We believe there’s power in our interconnectedness. Unlike a national corporation, our partners and team members live in, and are committed to, the neighborhoods we serve. Together, we share a collective vision of making better food options accessible to everyone. This makes a positive impact on our local economy, the global environment, and our individual quality of life.

We’re excited that our community continues to grow and that more people are understanding the benefits of eating seasonally. Whether you’re a household of one, many, or somewhere in between, we invite you to join us and taste the difference of eating seasonally.

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Our Team

Duane Slyder

• Founder •

Our founder, Duane Slyder, grew up in rural Nebraska and Virginia, helping to raise cattle and horses, and grow produce in his family’s garden. Later, as a husband and father living in the suburbs, Duane was curious about where the food he fed his family came from. He learned that most grocery store produce is shipped in from far away – selected for high yield and long shelf life, not for flavor or nutrition.

Duane recognized an opportunity to support local farmers using sustainable practices, as well as enjoy better tasting, more nutritious food. His vision came to life by creating an online farmers market offering fresh, local produce and unique artisan goods that we know today as Seasonal Roots.

Duane developed a business model that isn’t just good for our local farmers and artisans, but for us, as a community. By supporting people who have dedicated their lives to growing the most flavorful, nutrient-dense produce and humanely raising happy, healthy animals for meat, eggs, and dairy, we all benefit.

While food is the primary focus of Seasonal Roots, Duane believes that people are – and always will be – the heart of Seasonal Roots.

Emily Gannon

• Artisan Goods Manager •

As the Artisan Goods Manager, Emily is passionate about sourcing top-quality ingredients for home chefs. She works closely with Nathan, our Produce Purchasing Manager, to curate our weekly menus and bring the best of the region to you.

With a background in butchery, Emily has built strong relationships with local farmers and fishermen, ensuring access to the best meats and seafood. She also manages artisan goods, pantry staples like locally grown grains, fresh pasta, and our Meal Kit/Bundle program.

Some of Emily’s favorite menu items include Locals Seafood NC Shrimp, Carolina Rice Middlins from Marsh Hen Mill, and the diverse fresh peppers from Flores Farms each summer.

Gair Ayers

• Delivery Team Manager •

As the Delivery Team Manager, Gair oversees all local delivery teams across our villages, ensuring the last mile is as seamless as possible. She was a loyal Seasonal Roots customer for many years before joining the company in 2016. Since then, she’s served as a Market Manager, Area Manager, and Director of Teams before taking on her current role.

Some of Gair’s favorite menu items include Whole Hog NC BBQ, Richlands Chocolate Milk, and all the varieties of apples. When she’s not managing delivery teams, Gair enjoys hiking, reading, relaxing at the beach, and spending time with her family.

Glenn Fellman

• Director of Teams •

Glenn Fellman, our Maryland Director of Teams, has worked for Seasonal Roots since June 2021. He manages our expansion into Maryland, leveraging his community connections to create fundraisers and business partnerships that promote growth. When not helping to raise awareness of the benefits of eating locally, Glenn can be found hunting for treasure at garage sales and storage unit auctions.

Isabella Clouse

• Marketing and Communications Strategist •

As Marketing and Communications Strategist, Isabella manages member communications and supports company growth by sharing all the benefits of a Seasonal Roots membership. From weekly emails to social media and campaigns, she helps connect our community with fresh, local food and all the people who make it possible. She’s especially passionate about supporting local farmers and artisans and building strong, food-loving communities. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her out for a run, hiking a new trail, or reading a good book.

Marie Foley

• Community Partnership Coordinator & Quality Control Manager •

Marie has held many roles during her long tenure at Seasonal Roots. As Community Partnership Coordinator and Quality Control Manager, she’s dedicated to ensuring the freshest local food reaches our community and none goes to waste. She developed a donation program that partners with local nonprofits, food banks, and individuals to distribute our surplus produce to those in need.

Marie loves making vegetarian stir-fries with ingredients like Twin Oaks Tofu, Sijang Chili Crunch, and fresh veggies. In her free time, she plays music, writes, and translates French poetry.

Morgan Botwinick

• Chief Revenue Officer •

Morgan is passionate about connecting communities with fresh, local food. As Chief Revenue Officer at Seasonal Roots, she focuses on growth—expanding our reach so more people can experience the benefits of seasonal, sustainable eating. A former professional pastry chef, she has a soft spot for good food and always keeps frozen cookie dough on hand. When she’s not championing the Seasonal Roots mission, she’s enjoying time with her family and savoring the joy of a well-made meal.

Nathan Koch

• Produce Purchasing Manager •

As the Produce Purchasing Manager, Nathan builds and maintains relationships with our growers and suppliers. He started as a Fulfillment Associate and worked his way up to Produce Inventory Coordinator and now Purchasing Manager, gaining extensive knowledge of the fresh fruits and vegetables we buy and the optimal seasons for sourcing them.

Outside of work, Nathan is a husband and father of two who loves cooking simple meals with the freshest ingredients for his family. You can also find him playing on his indoor soccer team or making music with friends on weekends.

Trey Dalton

• Warehouse Coordinator & Transportation Manager •

As the Operations Manager at Seasonal Roots, Trey works across all departments to keep the wheels turning, ensuring our market operates with efficiency and collaboration. Having been part of the team for over 10 years, he’s passionate about fostering camaraderie and cooperation to create a strong and supportive workplace. Outside of work, Trey tours nationally and internationally as a guitar player in a heavy metal band, and spends his free time writing music and playing/writing for tabletop RPGs.

The Hub Hustle

This is where the magic happens, folks. The Hub is our central packing facility where all the produce and goods of our local farmers and artisans converge. Needless to say, it’s a busy place! Once everything arrives, our packers get to work putting together weekly custom boxes of seasonal goodness for each and every one of our awesome members.