The transition of management at the Greenbank Farm continues as new port leadership works with the outgoing management group to tie up loose ends.

Tenant leases were all approved and signed in November prior to the exit of port commissioners Marshall Bronson and John Carr.

Under the leadership of new port Executive Director Forrest Rambo and new Commissioner John Mishasek, the port approved an additional lease last week with the Greenbank Farm Management Group for use of the Jim Davis House and empty barn space for the group’s Organic Farm School.

“For the past several months, the port has been working closely with the management group and the tenant businesses to make sure we get off to a successful start in January,” Rambo said. He added that previous and recently elected port commissioners have been committed to helping those businesses succeed well into the future.

“Contrary to what some people may have heard through the ‘loganberry vine,’ the port has no plans to sell the farm,” Rambo said.

He also noted that maintaining the farm’s organic certification is a high priority.

During the regular commission meeting last week, management group Director Judy Feldman said the management group will continue to aid the port in ensuring the farm maintain its organic certification.

Prior to the management’s group exit on Dec. 31, the group is addressing some maintenance concerns at the farm, including cleaning out gutters, removing moss from some of the roofs and cleaning up leaves from the parking lots.

“We want everyone to know we’re working together,” Feldman said. “It’s been an honor to work with the port.

“It taught me so much complexity.”

Some other items the two entities are working together to transition include transferring accounts for phone, propane and food service permits.

As transition is underway, the port and tenants at the farm are also looking at new ideas at the farm.

“Other ideas being floated include revising the farm’s marketing activities, increasing special events, adding new agricultural opportunities, refreshing highway signage and adding staff as opportunities arise,” Rambo said. “The bottom line is that the port is putting time, thought and energy into the farm so that it continues to be a highly valued community icon.”