Andrew is Co-Founder and President of Watch Me Grow Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in International Relations from Shawnee State University and now serves on their Alumni Council. He served 5 years as President of the Fourteenth Street Community Center, Founder of the Portsmouth Block Party, and FSCC Hero Awards, member of the City of Portsmouth Steering Committee, and served as Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation CAFTA Advisor and The Ohio State University Center for Folklore Field Studies partner. Andrew is a member of the Portsmouth NAACP, Portsmouth Area Chambers of Commerce board member, Co-Founder and board member of Trillium Project, and recognized as one of the most prominent voices in the Tri-State area, advocating for a more humane, inclusive and ethical region.
Andrew grew up in urban Appalachia’s public housing and has a sense of responsibility to highlight forgotten people, a theme referenced in much of his creative music. By using social media as a platform, he’s been able to host difficult discussions and to provide access to critical information. More recently, he’s been cultivating farming knowledge and engaging other members of the community in the practice of sustainable living - an experience he calls ‘From the Hood to the Woods.’
Projects include:
Future American Men and Women Mentorship Program (FAM/FAW): a youth program that engages young men and women social emotional learning (SEL). This unique program provides leadership and development opportunities for youth with activities designed to address five primary focus areas: academic success, career preparation, drug prevention, community service, and self-confidence.
Portsmouth Block Party (PBP): a festival with live music, petting zoos, games, food and much more that was created to bring our diverse community together. The PBP is held at our beautiful and beloved Shawnee State University, a safe space that helps connect students, small businesses, nonprofits, civil servants, religious groups, musicians, artists, and other community members.
FSCC Hero Awards: The Fourteenth Street Community Center Hero Awards was created to preserve some of our community’s important black historical figures, while promoting the phenomenal work being done by those today.
Southeastern, Ohio Black Business Expo: reconnecting minority entrepreneurs and business professionals from Southeastern, Ohio and surrounding areas, while cultivating economic development, and strengthening networks. This event is for everyone.
From The Hood to the Woods: a YouTube series where Hip-Hop meets Homesteading.
Drew Carter Live: Facebook Live interviews documenting extraordinary people from unique backgrounds.
Andrew is passionate about family, culture, travel and social justice.
He resides on his farm in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Andrew Carter, Executive Director
Misty Bell, Garden Coordinator
"Misty (Board Secretary), a native of Portsmouth, is deeply committed to fostering a community of healing and growth. As a mother of four, devoted partner, and caretaker of the Fellowship Garden, she passionately advocates for the underserved, promoting mindfulness practices such as, yoga and meditation. Misty encourages others toward self-empowerment and the pursuit of dreams. Her work focuses on creating a safe, inclusive environment where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered to achieve self-sustaining growth and development. Through her efforts, Misty strives to unite her community and promote the importance of inclusion for all."
Tracy Shearer, Treasurer
Bio Coming Soon!
Mark earned his Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in International Economics from the University of Kentucky with a minor in plant and soil science. Mark has extensive experience in horticultural and farm design. He is currently nominated for Gardener of the Year in Region 10 for gardening and community involvement.
“I love teaching my nephews and nieces the importance of growing your own food…to preserve, eat, and share. Teaching anyone to garden is the gift of sharing knowledge and providing for the future.”
Projects include:
Rock Hill Garden Club: Fundraising Coordinator and beautification crew
Aveda: Plant product development
Ironton Garden Club
Ironton in Bloom
Episcopal Church Garden Design
Mark is passionate about plants, gardening, and homesteading.
He resides on his farm in Ironton, Ohio.
Mark Anthony, Trustee
Bio coming soon!
Klaire Smith, Trustee
Edwin is an experienced automotive technician with more than twenty years working in the auto industry. He is an active advocate for social equity, serving two years as 5th Ward City Councilman and introducing inclusive legislation to protects the rights of LGBTQ+ youth in our communities. Edwin is an champion for the arts, having helped the Portsmouth Street Art Project acquire more than 4,000sf of Portsmouth’s floodwall for public art use. He continues to serve as mentor and volunteer for numerous community-based organizations that include the Southern Ohio Autism Project, Scioto County Juvenile Drug Court, and Friends of Portsmouth.
Edwin was born in Lorain, OH and lived in Kissimmee, FL and Cleveland, OH before settling with his wife and blended family in Portsmouth seven years ago. He is Puerto Rican and speaks fluent Spanish.
Projects include:
Vacant Building Fee: tax proposal for vacant Portsmouth buildings and storefronts
PSAP Free Wall Legislation: expanded public space for local artists
14th Street Community Center Legislation: helped fund organizational support for this historic African American community organization
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Portsmouth’s first charging stations for electric vehicles
P-Town Breakdancing Club: youth and community breakdancing classes
Edwin is passionate about family, basketball, photography and volunteering for his community.
He resides in Portsmouth, Ohio with his family.
Edwin Martell, Trustee
Barb & Kevin Bradbury, Community Advisor
Bio coming soon!
Klaire Smith, Trustee
Barb and Kevin Bradbury have lived on a secluded 70-acre farm near Otway, Ohio since 1980 where they raised their three children. They grow vegetables and berries, which they consume, preserve, and sometimes market. They also make maple syrup, most of which is sold locally. Like most small farmers, they have had careers away from the farm.
Barb earned a Masters degree in Counseling and PhD in Higher Education and served as Dean of Students, Director of Financial Aid, and other administrative roles at Shawnee State University. Earlier in her career she was a naturalist for the Blue Ridge Parkway and Woodland Altars Outdoor Education Center. Interested in getting to know and learning from young people of many different cultures and backgrounds, Barb and Kevin are involved in the SSU Friendship Family program connecting international students with a local family.
Kevin graduated from Shawnee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science. In addition he holds an Associates degree in Forestry from Alpena College and additional coursework in forestry from Michigan State University. Through the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) he spent 13 years teaching college age enrollees at a residential training facility work skills necessary to complete projects in conservation, construction, and building maintenance. As Shawnee State Park Manager he guided visitors on educational field outings in conjunction with
ecotourism events. Following retirement he continued to volunteer at the park as a field guide for weekend events. Most recently, Kevin serves in adjunct capacity teaching scientific reasoning, dendrology, and economic botany courses at Shawnee State University.
Barb and Kevin actively promote and enjoy teaching about living in a sustainable manner. They manage life on the farm using solar panels to provide electricity for household, mower, and electric vehicle needs. As a host farm for the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) program they host and teach volunteers about sustainable agriculture and provide them room and board. In return, WWOOFers are expected to work 25 to 30 hours a week. In addition to WWOOF participants, Barb and Kevin welcome school, community and nature-oriented groups to help with farm chores such as gathering and cleaning lettuce, making granola and jam, creating soil from compost, planting vegetable seeds, preparing seed potatoes, recognizing plants from weeds, weeding, and helping with food preservation processes (canning and freezing).
“Our interest in serving on the Watch Me Grow Advisory Committee stems from our passion and commitment to help others live more sustainably, to develop an appreciation for the natural world and to realize the value of our individual contributions to making the world a healthier place to live.”
Jenny Richards, Community Advisor
Jenny's childhood on the fringes of Shawnee Forest sparked her lifelong love for the outdoors, exploring its wonders with her family. After earning her BS in Geography from Ohio University, she embarked on international travels and work experiences before finding her way back home. Now, as a state park naturalist in the very forest of her upbringing, Jenny has realized her dream career. Her enthusiasm for nature is infectious, and she delights in sharing her passion for the great outdoors with all whom she encounters.
Bio coming soon!
Paige Cisco, Community Advisor
Paige Cisco is a passionate advocate for animal welfare and a dedicated professional in the field of Animal Industries. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Animal Industries with a minor in Meat Science from Ohio State University, where her love for animals and commitment to their well-being first flourished. Continuing her education, Paige graduated from Columbus State with degrees in Veterinary Technology and Pharmacy Technology, honing her skills in providing comprehensive care for animals. Her journey in the veterinary field led her to internships with prestigious institutions such as the Ohio Department of Agriculture Animal Disease Necropsy Department, Select Sires, MedVet Oncology, and Fredrick town Large Animal Vet.
Throughout her internships, Paige gained invaluable experience in various aspects of animal healthcare, from disease diagnosis and treatment to reproductive technologies. Her dedication to advancing animal health earned her recognition as a rising star in the field. Paige's unwavering commitment to improving the lives of animals drives her to continue making a meaningful impact through her work and advocacy efforts. With her unique blend of education, experience, and compassion, she is poised to make a lasting difference in the world of animal welfare.