Board of Directors
Ralph Morton
Chairman of the Board
Ralph grew up on a family farm in rural America. He is a third generation farmer. Ralph is a retired Army Veteran of 21 years. Before entering the Armed Forces, he operated a beef cattle operation independent of Cattle Run Farm. In 1996, he sold out of the business and joined the Armed Forces. Ralph participated in numerous deployments during his time in the Army. From Operation Joint Guard and Operation Intrinsic Action, to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. After retirement, Ralph's biggest reason for returning to agrarian life is his passion for a rural rustic, relaxing lifestyle, and cultivating the land. The cultivation of land runs deep in his blood as he grew up engaged in local 4-H and FFA programs as well as working alongside his father and grandfathers. It's a rewarding feeling and lifestyle to grow, produce, and harvest natural, locally-grown food for your family and the community. For additional information on Ralph's property, click here: https://www.cattlerunfarm.com/
Donald Jennings
Member of the Board
Donald Jennings, retired from a career managing large telecom projects, is Chairman of Central Virginia SCORE, a chapter of the National association of 10,000 Business Mentors. His chapter helped start over 300 small businesses last year in the 8 county Central Virginia region. Donald is a medicinal herb and medicinal fruit farmer. Originally from New Mexico, he was a founder of the New Mexico Organic Growers association in 1970. He is also involved with local agritourism. His 116-acre farm includes 11 secluded campsites and a one-mile labyrinth that is listed on Hipcamp. He is married with three children and nine grandchildren. For additional information on Donald's property click here:
https://www.hipcamp.com/virginia/trails-hills-serenity-bamboo/labyrinth-trails-and-solitude
Eugene Triplett
Treasurer of the Board
Rev. Eugene French Triplett, Jr was born and raised in Brandy Station, Virginia where he still resides today. He is married to Theresa (Dinkins) Triplett. They have three children: Dr Tamasha Scott DDS, Anita Potts and Jesse Jackson and six grandchildren. Eugene graduated in 1970 from Culpeper County High School, obtained his Associate of Science degree from Germanna Community College in Orange VA and Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the Medical College of Virginia. He holds an associate and bachelor’s degree in theology from Bethlehem Christian University.
In 1984, he opened the Wilderness Center Pharmacy in Locust Grove, Virginia and recently retired in 2018. He has served as President of the Rappahannock Pharmacy Association, Regional Director of the Academy of Independent Pharmacists of Virginia, member of the Board of Trustees of the Culpeper Regional Hospital, and member of the Second Bank & Trust Orange County Board. Presently he serves as a board member of the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, Secretary of Minority and Veteran Farmers of the Piedmont, Pharmacist-In-Charge at the Culpeper Free Clinic, member of the Culpeper Mid-Day Lions Club and associate minister at Rising Zion Baptist Church in Winston, Virginia.
He currently resides on the family farm in Brandy Station, Virginia that has been farmed for 4 generations of the Triplett family. He currently raises cattle along with hay and vegetables in the family garden. His true passion is farming and helping those of his community
John Clark
Member of the Board
John Clark was born and raised on a dairy farm in a small town in northern New York close to the Canadian border. During these years, the hard work and daily regimen of milking cows and learning about agriculture imprinted on him a love for the farming lifestyle.
After graduating from high school, John left the family farm and pursued a career in federal law enforcement where he worked for the U.S. Marshals Service for over 28 years. He currently works for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the nation’s leading nonprofit focusing on child safety.
Recently, John returned to his love of agriculture and became the owner/operator of the Harvest of Hope farm in Culpeper (VA) County where he and his wife have been active in growing vegetables, operating a greenhouse, and harvesting hay. John and his wife are currently expanding the vegetable growing operations to provide fresh produce to Piedmont area food banks and communities in need of nutritious food.
John earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University.
Sarah J. Morton
Member of the Board
Sarah J. Morton is a third generational beef cattle farmer of Central,VA. She is a passionate innovative pioneer, and trailblazer with expertise in transforming concepts into high impact results. Sarah received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Virginia State University, Masters of Science in Career and Technical Education from Virginia Tech and post-graduate endorsement in administration and supervision from University of Virginia and completing a Doctorate of Philosophy from Virginia Tech. Sarah’s professional tenure includes: federal, state, private and non-profit sectors. Sarah currently serves as the Workforce Director for Virginia Career Works - Piedmont Region and a scholar in Virginia's Premier Leadership
Development Program for adults in Agriculture at Virginia Tech, Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR).
A transformational leader who optimizes and advances strategic initiatives, innovations, social justice, best practices in education, agriculture sustainability, organizational change and non-profit management. Sarah uses conceptualized sector strategies to establish a framework to develop growth plans, program integration and strategies for building economies of scale and sustainability.
A servant leader and change agent who focuses on academic equity, economic equity, agricultural sustainability and local food access. Her professional Motto: Engage, Educate Empower! Academic & Economic Equity for All.
Brian Thompson
Member of the Board
Brian grew up on his grandmother's farm on the eastern end of Culpeper County in the community of Stevensburg. He developed a passion for agriculture at a very early age. Brian was involved in 4-H and FFA during his junior and high school years, and was FFA president in his senior year of high school. After high school, he went on to become a Herdsman on two prominent farms in the Culpeper area. He is currently employed by V.D.O.T, but the passion for agriculture still runs through his blood. He is currently raising a few hogs and has recently got back into raising cattle.
