Meet The Family

Camille T. Hadley

Camille T. Hadley is a highly accomplished community advocate and environmental justice leader. Hailing from Compton, CA, she began her journey by actively working towards the restoration of Compton College's accreditation as the first student representative to the Reaccreditation board while addressing community food insecurity through her Not-For-Profit Organization, Tartar Marketplace. Camille's efforts earned her accolades such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for her outstanding service to Compton College students and recognition as the most improved faith-based organizer by the Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches.

With a strong passion for community organizing, Camille underwent training from the California Endowment Foundation and became a two-time fellow of the Greenlining Economic Summit, solidifying her expertise in grassroots leadership and economic empowerment. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management with a focus on Marketing from California State University Dominguez Hills.

Currently serving as the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Little Growers Inc. in Brevard County, FL, Camille is dedicated to addressing environmental challenges. In addition to her esteemed affiliations, she serves as a Wisdom Keeper for the Women’s Earth Alliance, a consultant for the Climate Business Institute's Climitegration Networks, and leads the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council as a coalition partner and community organizer. She is also recognized for her remarkable work with Lead Brevard's top 12, 4 under 40.

Camille's commitment to advocating for environmental justice is evident through her involvement in numerous projects, conferences, and panels, where she shares her expertise and strategies for creating sustainable and equitable communities. She has served as a lead panelist at both the 2023 Florida Brownfields Training Conference and the 2023 National Brownfields Training Conference, speaking on the topic of "Using Food Production as a Community Revitalization Strategy for Brownfields." Her contributions continue to make a significant impact in the field of environmental justice.

 “We don't teach kids how to grow food we teach them how to design solutions to the problems their communities are facing.”

                        -CAMILLE 

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Rondy Lee Hadley Jr

Rondy is the Co- Founder and Garden Director of Little Growers Inc. in Brevard County, FL. Rondy is a Brevard County Native born and raised in Melbourne Florida. Rondy decided to begin growing food for his family in pots outside their home on Washinton st. in the Powell Subdivision in 2015. After seeing so many community youth were interested in what he was growing he suggested to his wife Camille that they start Little Growers Inc. and teach community youth the value of growing food in a sustainable way. His green thumb keeps Little Growers producing fresh food for the community on an ongoing basis.

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"If they have to steal it, we're just not growing enough."

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                   -RONDY

Erin England

Erin England serves as the Project Director for Little Growers Inc. (LGI), bringing a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, food justice, and resilient community development. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of Alabama, where her interdisciplinary research explored the transformation of food systems and the socio-economic and political barriers to local, sustainable food production. Erin continued her academic journey at Auburn University, earning a Master’s degree in Community Planning with a focus on building environmental and community resilience. Her professional experience includes serving as a Zoning Enforcement Officer, Property Addressing Coordinator, and Planner for Henderson County, North Carolina, as well as Zoning Planner for Greenville County, South Carolina. With a background that bridges grassroots environmental advocacy and public-sector planning, Erin brings a systems-thinking approach and a passion for equity-driven development to her leadership at LGI.

Thea Baker

Thea Baker is a Sustainability Specialist at Little Growers Inc. (LGI), where she focuses on quantifying impact, developing meaningful metrics, and making data easily understandable. She also supports LGI with grant writing and reporting, leveraging her expertise in technical writing, detailed cost analyses, and science communication to secure funding and effectively communicate the organization's impact.

Born and raised in coastal Florida—from Clearwater to Jacksonville to Indialantic—she has spent over three decades developing a deep connection to the state’s unique ecosystems and coastal communities.

With over 10 years of professional experience, Thea brings a diverse background spanning marine construction, sustainability, and environmental advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of North Florida, where she played Division 1 soccer, and a Master’s in Global Sustainability from the University of South Florida. She has worked for the Duval County Soil and Water District and served as the Director of Planning & Sustainability for the City of Satellite Beach, where she authored the city’s Sustainability Action Plan, collaborating with the Sustainability Board to create 17 goals and 99 actions to drive meaningful change.

Beyond her professional work, Thea is passionate about growing food for the community. She has volunteered at three different community gardens, recognizing sustainable agriculture as a key solution to the climate crisis, food insecurity, and environmental justice. She is also converting her 0.25 acre property in Indialantic, FL into a food forest and loves to implement permaculture and sustainability practices. As a mother of two young children, she is dedicated to leaving them a healthier planet and leading by example—demonstrating that working for a cause you believe in can create lasting, systemic change.

Queriah "Que" Simpson

Queriah “Que” Simpson was born and raised in Melbourne, FL on April 2, 1994. In August of 2012, she began her college career at Florida A&M University. By April of 2017, she graduated with a Bachelors in Pre-professional Biology with a Chemistry minor and a Bachelors in Environmental Science. She received several accolades and was also a part of the Florida-Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. During undergrad, she interned for The City of Tallahassee to better understand wastewater management and water quality monitoring. Also as a part of NOAA-ECSC, she completed a project titled Evaluating the Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) as a Biodindicator Species for Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals. Proving that chemicals from a paper mill in Perry, FL have detrimental effects on Mosquitofish and the water quality of the river. After taking a semester off, she returned to FAMU and became a NOAA CCME Graduate Scholar, in 2019 she completed a
NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NERTO) with the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Biogeography Branch in Silver Spring, Maryland. She assisted with the creation of habitat suitability models targeting Deep Sea Coral along the West Florida Escarpment (WFE) at depths below 1000m. The models were then used during the HydroSMAC
Mission with FSU funded by NOAA OER, that was successful in finding deep sea benthic communities along the WFE. She successfully defended her thesis the Application of Habitat Suitability Models for Benthic Communities in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico: Linking Bioprospecting and Modeling Research, obtaining her Masters in Environmental Science concentrated in Marine and Estuarine Environments in August 2020. Queriah is currently enjoying life as a Private Chef and the Executive Expert for the non-profit organization, Black in
Marine Science. Affording her the opportunity to help educate underrepresented communities about environmental awareness. She has also been able to coordinate programs such as the BIMS Immersion Program that took place in May 2022. She is currently making plans to goback to school and complete a PhD.

Chantay Perry

Originally hailing from Stuart, Florida, Attorney Perry currently resides in Melbourne, FL. She graduated from Florida State University with degrees in Political Science and English Literature and received her Juris Doctorate degree from Stetson University College of Law in 2017.  She is currently an Associate Attorney with the Lyons Law Group practicing general civil litigation, with a focus on contract disputes, construction defects, real property disputes and business litigation. In her personal life, Attorney Perry enjoys reading, traveling, and visiting farmers markets with her Chihuahua, Gamora in tow.

Mary Baker

Bio coming soon

Jessie Hewett

Jessie Hewett is a retired software engineer with over 30 years of experience having graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University, and with a MBA and MS in Computer
Science from Florida Institute of Technology. He has a strong interest in community services and currently serve as treasurer for 3 organizations. He has taught computer classes and has used his handy man skills to help with various projects in the community. He has an interest in hi tech gardening having
experimented with hydroponics. Hobbies include photography and investing.

Caleta Scott

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 2000, Caleta enjoyed a thriving private sector operations management career in Atlanta, GA, before moving to her birthplace of Fort Pierce in 2015. Her previous local government roles with the City of Fort Pierce and the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County have given her valuable experience in community engagement, strategic planning, and public health. Caleta is enthusiastic about wellness and has been a yoga instructor since 2020. You may find her at Fort Pierce’s Frederick Douglass Beach, along the Indian River at Old Fort Park, or walking the Seaway Bridge.

Dr. Ken Lindeman

Dr. Ken Lindeman is a Professor Emeritus at Florida Tech.  He applies interdisciplinary research with many partners to advance the sustainable management of coastal habitats and fisheries.  Much work focuses on the use of traditional ecological knowledge to advance decision-making and applied climate adaptation.  Several books and over 80 research publications with many partners in over 25 science, policy, and law journals.  In non-profit and agency positions, he has co-managed local through international conservation science projects in the SE US and Latin America/Caribbean. 

Instructor for fifteen university courses in three colleges at Florida Tech including courses in Systems, Governance, and Sustainability, and Environmental Regulation and Impact Assessment.  Established the sustainability academic program in 2010, administered through 2023 with over 190 Sustainability Major and Minor graduates.  Dept. of Ocean Engineering and Marine Science Faculty Excellence in Teaching award, 2022.  University Excellence in Service award, 2017.  Service to over 25 agency, NGO, and corporate workgroups, advisory panels, or boards of directors.  Still surfs and plays a little guitar.  

Luis Nieves-Ruiz

Originally from Puerto Rico, Luis Nieves-Ruiz’ career contributions have enhanced economic development, regional food systems, and community revitalization. Luis’ exceptional leadership in Central Florida includes many years of volunteer service to underserved communities and initiatives to diversify the profession. Luis holds a Master of Regional Planning degree from Cornell University and serves as Director of Economic Development for the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council in Orlando, Florida. His accomplishments have been recognized by the National Association of Development Organizations, Urban Land Institute, Next City, Wallace Center at Winrock International, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida, and Leadership Florida. He was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners in 2022.

Ja'Markkus Evans

Ja’Markkus Evans, hailing from Waterloo, Iowa, holds a B.S. in Industrial Technology with an emphasis in Occupational Safety from Iowa State University. As an EHS Engineer at L3Harris Technologies - Space & Airborne Systems, he collaborates with site leadership to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations and conducts injury investigations and safety training. With previous roles at Pratt & Whitney, Cargill, and JBS, Ja’Markkus brings extensive experience in safety management. He is passionate about helping others succeed in the workplace and ensuring they return home safely. On the Little Growers Inc. Executive Board, Ja’Markkus leverages his expertise to enhance organizational safety standards and foster a culture of wellbeing. He advises students to network extensively and gain real-life experience to advance their careers.

Asia Edwards

Bio Coming Soon!

Ahmir Alexander Hadley

Ahmir is Little Growers Inc. First elected youth board member. He currently attends Heritage Senior High School. He is 15 years old in the 8th grade. His favorite subjects are coding and science. Ahmir is also on Little Growers youth leadership council and a member of our summer earn and learn program. Ahmir is also the president of the South Brevard NAACP Youth and College Committee. When he grows up Ahmir wants to attend college to become and Environmental Engineer

Valeta Cameron

Valeta Cameron was born and raised in Melbourne, Florida. She attended Flagler College (St. Augustine Florida), where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Journalism. She graduated from Florida A&M University College of Law (Orlando, Florida) with her Juris Doctorate degree. Following law school, Valeta earned a Master of Science degree in Non-profit Leadership and a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy from New England College (Henniker, New Hampshire).

She is currently a Staff Attorney at Brevard County Legal Aid, Inc. (Rockledge Florida). She joined Little Growers in 2017 and served as the Secretary from 2018-2019.

Monica Ibacache

A native of Chile, Monica is a New York City–based community organizer, sustainability educator, and ecological designer since 2007. An avid gardener as a small child with her grandparents in Chile, she rekindled her passion for growing food as an adult while living in southeast Alaska.

Monica is committed to improving food systems while advancing social and environmental justice globally. She has dedicated her life to working with diverse and marginalized communities in education and local development in the U.S. and abroad. Monica has advanced certifications in Permaculture Design and Teaching and serves on the Board of Directors for the Institute of Permaculture for Children (IPEC), Permaculture Institute of North America (PINA), the International Permaculture Convergence Committee (IPCC), the Indoor Gardening Society (IGSA), and the Permaculture Association of the Northeast (PAN).