Dixie Sandborn is a 4-H Plant Science Specialist in the Children and Youth Institute for MSU Extension. She received her master’s degree in Agricultural and Extension Education, from Michigan State University. Dixie has taught at the high school, community college and university levels. She developed and has led a study abroad program to Belize, focusing on sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism. She loves to travel and has taught sustainable gardening practices in Haiti. Dixie has also led student and faculty groups abroad to learn about agriculture, community development, and youth development.

Dixie’s scope of work includes interdisciplinary curriculum through school gardens. She also co-authored and works across the state with youth using the curriculum: Michigan Youth Farm Stands: Youth Engagement in Community Food Systems. She recently completed a 4-H Viticulture Curriculum, and her current campus focus is teaching plant science through chocolate and teaching about other cultures, plant science and nutrition through a series of articles and lessons called Plant Science at Your Dinner Table. In the fall of 2025, Dixie helped mentor fellows from South Africa and Zimbabwe, helping them develop their Agribusiness projects, and would love to see their work in action for a true exchange of knowledge. Dixie provides mutually beneficial services for both the fellows in South Africa, and the U.S.A. in fostering best business practices, and demonstrated American professionalism.

Mr. Leslie's Cheesecakes is a beloved dessert brand famous for its rich and innovative cheesecake creations. A chance invitation to a dinner party in college was the beginning of Marcus Leslie's’ cheesecake journey. After years of refining his craft and receiving rave reviews from friends and family, he decided to take the leap and launch Mr. Leslie's Cheesecakes. He holds an Associate’s degree in Human Services from Cornerstone University.
Mr. Leslie’s officially began in October of 2019 and has grown to a thriving small business. Since its inception, the brand has gained a loyal following, thanks to Marcus's commitment to excellence and creativity. His dedication to customer satisfaction and community involvement has helped him build strong relationships with local businesses and customers alike. Beyond his work in the kitchen, Marcus advocates for small businesses and frequently shares his journey and expertise through workshops and social media. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children.
In 2025, Marcus and Kathy worked with PFP Fellows Sorai and Lily for six weeks. During this time, they learned key aspects of social media marketing, branding, brand building, and pricing models, equipping them with the tools to build successful businesses once they returned home. Marcus Leslie will be providing insights into best entreprenuership practices, advising and consulting on ongoing projects, and representing American business interests in Africa.

John Krohn attended Michigan State University, where he got an interdisciplinary degree in environmental policy and political science. Professionally, he spent 10 years developing small scale, sustainable urban agriculture projects as the program manager for the Ingham County Land Bank’s Garden Program. After leaving the Land Bank, John worked for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in farmland preservation, facilitating the purchase of Development Rights Easements on farmland that is at risk of development. All the while he helped start and run several small farming businesses, Magnolia Avenue Farms and Dragonfly Downs Farm. Between giving farm tours at the Land Bank and hosting at Dragonfly Downs, John has been involved in the African Professional Fellows Program for more than 5 years. John as a consultant will provide invaluable experise into the projects of the fellows he will be meeting, along with critical insights in ongoing projects, while both representing American governmental and private business interests.

Hillary Coleman is a self-taught farmer, educator, and community leader with over 12 years of experience in urban farming in Lansing, Michigan. In 2020, she founded 1991greenery, originally an online business shipping houseplants nationwide. As the market evolved, Hillary pivoted in 2022 to focus on homesteading and herbalism, transforming her quarter-acre property into 1991greenery Homestead, where she cultivates herbs and crafts natural body products made directly from her garden.
Hillary is passionate about sustainability and education, teaching individuals how to make the most of their growing spaces and live more self-sufficiently. She has taught with Michigan State University, MSU Extension, Hunter Park GardenHouse, Ann Arbor Public Library, and privately through 1991greenery Homestead.

In her role as a Manager at Hunter Park GardenHouse, Hillary helps grow food for Lansing’s Eastside community while empowering residents to grow their own. She is also a co-founder of 3 Sistas Farm Collective, a community-driven project on Lansing’s Southside dedicated to cultivating African diasporic crops, and offering hands-on agricultural education. Through her work with the Fellows, Hillary provides mentorship and guidance in urban agriculture, sharing her deep knowledge of sustainable growing practices and demonstrating the day-to-day realities of community-based farming. Hillary will offer important insights into the ongoing agricultural projects in Rwanda and Zimbabwe as she interacts with the former fellows in their home environments.