Our Team
Davon Goodwin, executive director
Davon Goodwin grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but has rooted himself in North Carolina for over a decade now, consistently evidencing his dual commitment to agriculture and community. Davon holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he studied biology with a concentration in botany. While in college, Davon enlisted in the Army Reserve; he served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he earned a Purple Heart after he was wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED).
Since 2012, Davon has been working with Growing Change, a nonprofit organization that is transforming former North Carolina prisons into therapeutic farms and community centers where youth and veterans serve in leadership roles. Through Growing Change, Davon has served as a teacher and mentor to youth who have themselves been impacted by the juvenile justice system. He has helped support Growing Change’s youth as they have become statewide leaders in CEFS’ Food Youth Initiative, a network of young people doing food justice work in their communities across North Carolina, as well as leaders nationally, sharing out this revolutionary model for community change.
As the manager of the Sandhills Ag Innovation Center, Davon is working to reinvigorate the local sustainable farm economy and support the next generation of farmers. He also owns and operates OTL Farms, a 42-acre sustainable farm located in Laurinburg, NC, where he grows muscadine grapes, blackberries, and vegetables.
Davon has received many awards and accomplishments. In 2017, he was named a Stone Barns Exchange Fellow. The program identifies food systems leaders that are striving to make a difference at the intersections of climate change, food, and agriculture. Davon was also a part of the 2018 Documentary “The War Within”, a video series from McClatchy Studios that chronicles the lives of retired veterans who lived through the conflict in Afghanistan and are helping their brothers and sisters in arms cope with the effects of PTSD. Davon Goodwin is a driver of change, and truly a Local Food Hero!
mandy davis, program manager
Mandy Davis, a native of Moore County, North Carolina, serves as Program Manager for the Sandhills AgInnovation Center, where she plays a central role in keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly and effectively. With deep roots in the Sandhills region, Mandy brings a strong sense of community, organization, and purpose to her work.
In her role, she coordinates logistics, supports local farmers, and helps implement programs that connect producers to markets and increase access to fresh, locally grown food. Mandy is known for her hands-on approach, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple moving pieces while maintaining strong relationships with partners and stakeholders.
Her commitment to supporting local agriculture and serving her community aligns closely with SAIC’s mission. Mandy’s work helps strengthen the regional food system and ensures that both farmers and families benefit from a more connected, sustainable local food network.