Patrick began his career in sustainable Ag in 2013 at the certified Naturally Grown crop and livestock operation Heritage Farm in rural West-Georgia. He moved to a management role at a second Naturally Grown farm, Crager-Hager Farm, in 2015, and helped them attain their organic certification in 2017. He attended the University of West Georgia in 2020, earning a B.S. in Biology while working on farm full time. Patrick is also a member of the Carroll County Master Gardeners, where he served as Vice President in 2019, President in 2020, and a member of the Board of Directors in 2021.

Poppy received her AA in Anthropology at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida. She began working in the service industry after college and spent ten years working in and managing restaurants. In 2017, she relocated to Durham, North Carolina, where she continued her path as a restaurant manager. Poppy began working for QCS in November of 2021 as a Certification Project Coordinator. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her pets, camp, and travel.

Ramkrishnan (Ram) Balasubramanian earned his Ph.D. in Crop Sciences, Masters in Agricultural Engineering, and Masters in Ecological Agriculture. He also holds a Masters in Business Administration.

Ram is a ISO 9001 Lead Auditor with extensive food safety/GAP and organic auditing experience. Additionally, Ram specializes in organic aquaculture standard and curriculum development. He has collaborated with the Produce GAP Harmonization Initiative, Global Food Safety Initiative, and GLOBALG.A.P. scheme training material and small holder guides.

Ram is a FSPCA Lead Instructor for the Foreign Supplier Verification Program and Lead Certified Trainer for the Produce Safety Rule. Ram has served in on numerous boards of directors including serving as the Organic Material Review Institute Board Chair. He has has farming roots with experience in producing both crops and livestock. Ram is a firm believer in family values and family first and, in his free time, he loves swimming, spicy food, and organic gardening and growing rare exotic and medicinal plants.

Ricardo was born in Venezuela, and grew up in Tampa, Florida. He received his B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of South Florida. After graduating, Ricardo worked as a nursery plant inspector for Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for four years before joining QCS. He has always enjoyed spending time outdoors, and in his free time, he likes to hike trails, swim, and cook.

Robert first gained an interest in agriculture when he was a member of the 4H club in high school. From there, he attended the University of Florida and achieved his bachelor’s degree in Horticultural Sciences. While at UF, he was involved with several research projects involving organic land management, blueberry production, and bean production. After graduation, Robert helped conduct research on efficiency of protected agriculture structures in relation to pepper, squash, and strawberry production at the UF/IFAS extension office in Hastings, Florida. Prior to working at QCS, he also had the opportunity to work at an alfalfa research facility as well as manage several organic gardens. Robert feels it is rewarding to work for QCS as they join with farmers in sharing a passion for sustainable farming. Since his youth, Robert has also enjoyed surfing at the beach as well as making music.