2026 Board Candidates

Colleen Crist (incumbent)

I’m running for re-election to the Buffalo Mountain board. I’ve been a board member for two years, and currently serve as the board secretary. I’ve enjoyed my time on the board, and I appreciate the chance to participate in the governance of the co-op.

Outside of serving on the Buffalo Mountain board, I work in Hardwick at the Center for an Agricultural Economy as the Food Production Advisor. I work with small food businesses to help them produce their products, often at our kitchens at the Vermont Food Venture Center, and sometimes in other spaces as well.

I love seeing the businesses I work with sell at the co-op — it’s great to see that overlap! I’m also an enthusiastic gardener and home cook who loves to take advantage of every section of the co-op, whether it’s the Fedco group order, the local produce, or the bulk bins to stock my pantry. My goal as a board member is to support the co-op and management as we settle into our new location and to ensure that the co-op is on a successful path for another 50 years!

Karen Klotz

One of the reasons that we moved to Hardwick thirty years ago was because we had visited the Buffalo Mountain Co-op and were impressed with how friendly and caring the staff were. Since that time I have always felt that the co-op is my “home away from home”. A place that I visit almost daily that feeds my spirit as well as my body.

For the past twenty-eight years I have worked as an occupational therapist for Caledonia Home Health and Hospice. After a forty-one year career as an OT I have decided to retire at the end of May. I would love to spend some of my new free time continuing to serve the community in a different capacity, as a Buffalo Mountain board member.

If I am elected as a board member I will support the staff and members in any way that I can to help craft policies and procedures that work for the benefit of all members while at the same time honoring the mission of the co-op to provide healthy, affordable food to the community and promote local products and sustainable practices. I feel called to connect food and community and see the two going hand in hand.new location and to ensure that the co-op is on a successful path for another 50 years!

Tari Scott (incumbent)

I have just completed my first two year term on the Board at Buffalo Mountain Market and would like to run for a second two year term as we continue to grow our Coop and Market. I have been fortunate to attend retreat sessions to learn more about belonging to the NCG, (a National Coop Grocery) and share ideas as to how we can continue to grow and contribute to our local communities.

My background includes working for the Northeast Kingdom Head Start programs and as a Social Worker for Therapeutic Foster Care in the 1990’s followed by 26 years of working for the Vermont Judiciary. I retired in December of 2025 and would continue to use my skills working with a large scope of diverse populations, to help our Coop/Market continue to grow and connect to our local communities.

Ted Gates (incumbent)

I support cooperative economic business models – they are fun and engaging opportunities to bring people together and provide shared collective benefits for members and the wider local communities.

I serve in the role of Treasurer because my background is in financial data analysis, and I do my best to support our coop’s short term and long term goals using my experience and financial perspectives.

I have served for 1.5 years, and hope to continue this work into the future.