Greenbank Farm has a new employee to help oversee events and revitalize the community.

Kristi O’Donnell was offered a contracted position as the farm’s new events coordinator.

“I have worn many hats at the farm,” O’Donnell said last week.

She was part of the original Greenbank Farm Council started in 1995 to help save the farm from development.

Over the years she’s volunteered, written grants, served as entertainment chair for the Loganberry Festival, gardened, fundraised and “fun-raised” at the farm.

The position is $30 an hour with a maximum of 66 hours a month. Commissioners for the Port of Coupeville approved a tentative 90-day hiring while a set job description can be established.

O’Donnell said her first objective is to review the calendar of events on the books and compare it to events posted outside the farm to insure all events are scheduled accordingly.

She said she will be reviewing contracts, agreements, policies and making contact with those who have inquired about events at the farm.

“People are excited to see we’re moving forward,” she said.

O’Donnell said she’s already met with the merchants group to discuss ways to utilize materials about the farm that are already printed and ways to beautify the existing signs.

“There are peaks and valleys,” she said. “We have an abundance of goodwill and a positive outlook.”

“I think we’re at that place where we have an opportunity to work through these troubles.”

O’Donnell’s previous experience includes 18 years as the director of Meerkerk Gardens. She is a musician, artist and horticulturist.

During last week’s Port of Coupeville meeting, O’Donnell asked permission to write a grant from the Whidbey Island Garden club to get tulips to plant around the farm.