Dale Batty is a 5th generation Utah farmer. He has lived and worked on his farm in Vernal for over 60 years. When his father managed the farm they did what all of the neighbors did; they made hay and raised cows. However, Dale is an avid reader and loves to learn, especially about farming. He learned about management intensive grazing and began to implement it over 20 years ago. The yield on the pastures increased significantly. Since then, he has continued to apply things he has learned, shaking up everything his family has ever done and making the neighbors wonder if he lost his marbles. He tore down the old pig pens and started letting the pigs run the pastures with the cattle. He found and bought a flock of hair sheep and turned them loose with the cows and pigs. And then he introduced chickens. Not the 10 or 12 he always kept for eggs. Hundreds of chickens. He raised chickens for meat and chickens for eggs. And he moved those through the pastures as well. Dale turned the Battys from "respectable cattle men into Chicken farmers." And it paid off in huge ways.
His wife, three of his six children, a daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren actively work the farm. They raise around 2,000 meat chickens, and 300 turkeys each year, along with about 1200 laying hens, 20 pigs, 50 cows, 30 sheep and 10 llamas.
Dale has helped write legislation and has fought for small farms and homesteads and their right to produce and sell direct to consumers. He loves to educate future generations to be successful farmers, and providing them with all the years' of knowledge he wishes he had when he was younger and had more energy.

Michael Bishop grew up in Bountiful, Utah on an acre of land with his 4 siblings and parents. They grew vegetables and had chickens, ducks, dogs and cats through Michael’s childhood. At 11 Michael moved to St George, Utah where his family continued to grow a smaller garden. His mother and father cultivated Michael’s love for farming which has continued to grow through adulthood.

Michael first met his wife Liana in their high school ceramics class but reconnected in their college ceramics class and were married prior to Michael continuing his education at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Ceramics.

Michael and Liana were heavily influenced by Justin Rhodes and Joel Salatin and raised their first batch of meat chickens and grew their first garden together in Pennsylvania. They were both hooked.

After finishing his degree the Bishops moved back to Utah and settled in Veyo. Michael is a full time ceramics teacher at Crimson Cliffs High School and farms during the summer break. He follows the no till garden method and organic practices. Michael’s main goal in farming is providing sustainable food to his local community.

Laura and Monte Bledsoe are the owners of Quail Hollow Farm. Laura started the farm using the CSA model, growing organic vegetables. The farm has been in continuous operation nearing 20 years! In the farming world, that is one of our biggest triumphs. We are still going!!! We are ever learning and ever being challenged. We have seen farming fads come and go, and we have learned that often the simplest solutions are the best for meeting challenges. The farm has made subtle changes over the years, adapting to the needs of ourselves, our family and our community. Working in tandem with growing nutritious food, Laura has a developed a passion for the healing and medicinal power of plants. This is her focus for the conference this year. So many amazing stories to share!

From sourcing produce and peeling carrots to printing labels and building websites, Cache Canning is run entirely by Paige. A Utah native, when she's not in the kitchen she can be found wandering around in the desert or in the garage building big art.

Fromager Corinne Zinn originated from Belgium and moved to Colorado over 20 years ago. To her surprise, nobody was making cheese. She was missing cheese and looking to find a way to make some just for herself. She bought goat milk from a local farmer, searched online on how to make her favorite cheeses, connected with a forum of French cheesemakers, and learned all the secrets to making cheese. She created a consultant company called "Fromage Without Borders" with the idea of helping farmers create European-style cheeses. She sold her goats and moved to Utah, where Deer Valley hired her to make their own cheese at the resort.
They built her little cheese room right on the ski slope, and for four years, she skied in the morning and made cheese in the afternoon, which was a dream come true. In 2018, she launched Park City Creamery and created Utah terroir cheeses, specifically selecting local milk from nearby dairies. Corrine's award-winning cheese is found in specialty shops, restaurants, and several farmers' markets in Utah.

Russell (Blackstone) Crawford has been involved in local food systems since 2008 and has a passion for creating relationships, offering education and finding ways we can take daily action to live closer to the Earth. Over the last decade, Russell established a coffee roastery and market farm in northern Minnesota; created orchards, vineyards and greenhouses in northern Arizona and was blessed by the opportunity to run an organic, commercial farm on Maui. Now in 2025, Russell is a contributing writer for the Josephine Porter Institute, a Stillness Touch Legacy practitioner and co-steward of the Sedona Stillness Sanctuary, a one acre Biodynamic orchard and meditation center in northern Arizona.

Senator Kirk A. Cullimore Jr. has represented District 9 in the Utah State Senate since he was elected in 2018.

He received an Associate’s Degree in music from Utah Valley University. Kirk then served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Philippines. After returning, he continued his education and received a Bachelor’s Degree in music from Brigham Young University. He subsequently taught music for six years and managed a music teaching studio. He then went on to pursue a law degree at the University of Oklahoma. He began his law career in Oklahoma primarily in Federal Indian Law including tribal business transactions, gaming law, organization and development of tribal policies and procedures, and administrative law. His practice in Oklahoma also included areas of general business and contract law, property management, fair housing, homeowner association and collections.ator Kirk A. Cullimore Jr. has represented District 9 in the Utah State Senate since he was elected in 2018.

He received an Associate’s Degree in music from Utah Valley University. Kirk then served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Philippines. After returning, he continued his education and received a Bachelor’s Degree in music from Brigham Young University. He subsequently taught music for six years and managed a music teaching studio. He then went on to pursue a law degree at the University of Oklahoma. He began his law career in Oklahoma primarily in Federal Indian Law including tribal business transactions, gaming law, organization and development of tribal policies and procedures, and administrative law. His practice in Oklahoma also included areas of general business and contract law, property management, fair housing, homeowner association and collections.

Known as the "Mister Rogers" of farming, Karl Ebeling, or “Farmer Karl,” leads with compassion and a mission to empower individuals through sustainable agriculture. After 33 years of corporate experience, he founded Eden Streets in 2020 to help people relaunch their lives through farming. His current project, Grow Ogden, is an urban farm offering job training as part of a transitional-employment program for vulnerable individuals. In 2021, Farmer Karl worked with women facing homelessness at Wasatch Community Gardens’ Green Phoenix Farm. Eden Streets' charter, The Declaration of Common Ground, aims to unite community-based farming efforts to address social challenges worldwide.

Alongside Eden Streets, Farmer Karl and his wife Rita operate Faircrest Farms, which cultivates exceptional, organic vegetables while contributing to a vibrant local food community.

Wade Eliason is the former Vice President for the Utah Farm Bureau Federation and has been a Sanpete County sheep rancher since 1995. He previously represented District 6 on the Utah Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Prior to being elected to the Board of Directors, Wade served as the Sanpete County Farm Bureau President.

Madison Goodman is a market farmer in Oakley, UT. He farms year round with the help of high tunnels and determination. He started Madsnacks Produce in 2019 and runs it with his wife and two gritty daughters.

Radio host of weekly Urban farm report, 9 years running at community station KRCL 90.9 FM in Salt Lake City. Seed saver and urban farmer. An advocate of regenerative, sustainable farming, and the importance of where our nutrient dense food comes from, and the benefits we all can reap from eating it.

As Mayor I will work hard to find common ground, bring people together to take care of our assets and each other to strengthen Parowan.

In 2019 Stan took over his multi-generational family farm in Centerfield. He is inspired by those that build soils and practice regenerative agriculture. You can find him on his farm with his 4 children and wife working to raise his family and build soil though cover crops and intensively grazing cattle, pigs, egg layers and meat chickens.

He is Red Acre Center Board Member and an advocate for better agriculture practices and stronger local food economies.

Max Kane is an American entrepreneur, local food activist, author, engaging speaker, natural health advocate, and a leading expert in non-toxic, raw dairy production. Max is the CEO of three privately held companies including farmmatch.com, and the author of several books on food and health. Max has over $50M in marketing experience driving revenue to small farms, and has apprenticed under hundreds of farmers around the United States learning about food production. Max is the first person to bring affiliate marketing to local food and believes that true wealth is found in health, relationships, and spiritual connection. Max buys and sells real estate, studies political philosophy, eats a raw food animal-based diet, and is a savant at the game Othello

T.K. spent 10 years working in the software industry before pursing the life of a farmer.

Using the skills acquired from what feels now like a former life, he crafts systems and spreadsheets as a small part of his role at Red Acre Farm as the Director of Botanical Affairs. He has worked full-time as a grower since 2016.

Phil LaRocca is the owner of LaRocca Vineyards and the CCOF Board Chair. He became the first certified organic apple grower in the United States in 1975 and created the first certified non-sulfite wine back when most people said it was not possible to do either. Over the years, LaRocca Vineyards has sold over a million bottles of non-sulfite organic wine, and created an industry space for others to follow. He was active in creating the California Food and Production Act, and participated in formulating the national organic rule on organic wine. In 2017 the National Organic Trad Association awarded Phil National Organic Farmer

I was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and am proud resident of St. George for the past 32 years. I have a great love for the desert landscape and the people who reside in it.

My husband Darrin and I own a commercial contracting business and raised four children on an acre in Little Valley (back when Little Valley could be considered “rural”).

After loving the rural life for 25 years, we moved to downtown St. George. We have loved the opportunity to experience the beauty, sights and sounds of our lovely downtown core.

I have a dog, two cats, a love for container gardening, a podcast addiction, and a garage full of bicycles. I enjoy cycling with my husband, hiking in our beautiful environment, collecting and promoting art, loving people and recognizing their inherent goodness, creating safe community spaces, and volunteering for and promoting our local not-for-profit groups.

Karianne is the House Majority Whip. In the past she served as Majority Assistant Whip, Rules Vice Chair, and Judiciary Committee Chair. Prior to her legislative service, Karianne served on the Syracuse City Council. She has served on several Non-profit Boards and is currently serving as a board member for Open Doors, UHEA, and Wasatch International Adoptions. Karianne is a hard-working and knowledgeable legislator. She has developed positive and collaborative relationships with her colleagues in the House and Senate and has tackled tough issues from the beginning of her service. Karianne listens to the people she serves and many of the bills she has proposed are in response to her constituents’ concerns. Karianne has worked collaboratively with elected officials at the local, state, and national levels to support economic growth and job creation in Northern Davis County. Karianne graduated from Brigham Young University, where she met her husband of 32 years, Seth Lisonbee. They raised their six children in Clearfield and Syracuse, where they have lived for 28 years. They have six grandchildren. In her leisure time, Karianne enjoys spending time with her family, reading, doing family history work, hiking, camping, traveling, and writing.

Tyson Lloyd is a farmer and owner of Better Food Farm in Huntsville, Utah, where he cultivates 20 acres of cropland using organic and regenerative practices. With years of experience growing over 30 crops for farmers markets, Tyson now focuses on producing tomatoes and leafy greens for restaurants and local food programs. Driven by a desire to diversify his crops and income streams, Tyson is currently participating in a Specialty Crop Block Grant to trial elderberry cultivars as a profitable perennial crop for Utah. His work reflects a commitment to sustainable agriculture and innovation in specialty crop production.

Joseph Lofthouse, a popular speaker at farming conferences worldwide, authored Landrace Gardening, Semences Paysannes Métissées, and Hundred Hour Yoga Teacher Training. He has grown landraces and sold seeds since 2010. He devotes himself to helping gardeners and farmers grow healthy plants with less stress and empowering communities to adapt seeds to their local conditions.

Stewart Lundy owns Perennial Roots Farm in Accomac, Virginia, where he farms with his wife since 2010. He studied biodynamics and continues the practice, independently exploring the realms of anthroposophy, mysticism, and beyond. Stewart works with the Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics and consults on a variety of topics.

Nicole Masters is an agroecologist, coach and author. Since 1999, she has had extensive practical experience in regenerative soil and land management, alongside coaching and training the trainers. Together with her team, she collaborates with food producers and supports organizations that impact over 30 million acres. She excels at identifying and solving challenges through proactive management, deep ecological systems thinking and human centric approaches. Her dynamic presentations and deep expertise make her an influential voice in the field of agroecology.

Michael is the Executive Vice President of Libertas Institute, a state based think tank headquartered in Utah. Food freedom is among the many policy issues Michael advocates for. Prior to joining Libertas he was a legislative aide for a Utah State Senator and he also managed and worked on many political campaigns here in Utah. This spring Michael will be starting his own farm in the shadow of the La Sal Mountains. Volunteering for Red Acre Farm & Red Acre Center has obviously infected his brain with ideas about fertility and biodynamics. When no advocating for liberty, Michael can often be found out in nature conversing with the plants, trees, fungi, and rocks.

Ryan Moore has been growing organically for almost 15 years in backyards from Seattle, Salt Lake City, and the Willamette Valley OR. Ryan has always worked in the food and beverage industry and with each move has become increasingly invested in our local food communities. For the last three years Ryan has been working for First Frost Farm, a 30 yr old produce farm growing everything from lettuce to 23 varieties of garlic. FFF has been certified organic since 2001.

Born and raised in Utah, Andrea went to the University of British Columbia in Canada where she studied Land and Food Systems and got a job at the university's student-run farm. She fell in love with farming as a student and has been working on and running a variety of farms in Utah and British Columbia for the last 16 years. In 2018, she became the business owner of Ranui Gardens, a 40-year old market garden on the Wasatch back. In May of 2024, the former owners sold her the land, which she has now renamed Moonshadow Farm. Moonshadow Farm will continue its longstanding CSA, partnerships with farm to table restaurants and chefs, farmers markets and growing the next generation of farmers.

Hannah Muller is a farmer and florist in Northern California. She was born and raised on Full Belly Farm, which is located in the beautiful Capay Valley in Yolo County. Full Belly Farm grows over 350 acres of certified organic fruits, vegetables, animals, and flowers. Over the last decade, she has helped to pioneer the Field to Vase movement in Northern California, reminding supporters of local organic farming to not only eat local produce but to enjoy locally grown flowers as well.

Lloyd Nelson has been practicing the art of Biodynamic (BD) Agriculture for over twenty years. He is a BD preparation maker, builder, artist, farmer, arborist, BD educator & consultant. He is co-founder of Biodynamic Source - a Colorado based non-profit specializing in high potency BD preparations - and he owns and operates a Biodynamic spray, fertilizer and consultation service. He has worked with small and large scale farms, vineyards, and orchards to transition to sustainable Biodynamic land management and Demeter BD Certification.

The badasses behind Central 9th Market

Someone once said, 'We all die a little every day'. That someone did not elaborate on how or why we do this. So, I asked myself, rather belatedly at my age, 'What do we all have and share that causes us to do this and what can we do to slow it down? We have the most brilliant minds and proven science throughout the world basically telling us that everything we eat and breath should be natural. Are we listening?

PaMaw's Organic Farm was created to help our family, neighbors and community to slow down the inevitable part of mortality and help that which we all share and owe our existence. The Land.

Angela Patino-Acevedo is the greenhouse manager and biology technician at Southern Utah University where she oversees the university’s native plant gardens and teaches students how to propagate houseplants and cultivate native plants, blending her love for the earth with her commitment to community wellness.

Alongside her role at SUU, she has dedicated herself to sharing the transformative power of Kundalini Yoga and meditation with others. She believes that growing plants is a form of mindfulness, as it allows individuals to connect with the cycles of nature and cultivate patience, awareness, and balance—principles she also emphasizes in her yoga practice.

Whether she is tending to the gardens or guiding her yoga students through transformative practices, Angela is dedicated to helping others experience the peace and empowerment that come from aligning the body, mind, and spirit. She is excited to continue sharing the gifts of Kundalini Yoga with her community and beyond.

Sara, a farmer, chef, activist, and entrepreneur who started a CSA at 14, is the owner of and runs Red Acre Farm CSA, a successful very diversified 2-acre Biodynamic farm, farm stand, farm kitchen, and farm stay. With her mom, she established Red Acre Center for Food and Agriculture in Cedar City, Utah. Since 2015 has passed more than 11 bills directly related to small agriculture and artisan producers.The Center host the Utah Farm and Food Conference in its 9th year. She is the 2015 winner of the Gravel Road Gang Award for activism FTCLDF, 2016 the Unsung Hero Award from State Policy Network, in 2017 the Cedar Chamber of Commerce’s Young Citizen of the Year Award, and The Young Farmer of the Year Award from Weston A Price . She advocates that everyone should be able to start a small business and have access to local nutrient-dense food. She is a popular speaker and loves sharing her journey.

Symbria spent a lifetime working in the nonprofit sector. After her daughter started an organic farm, she and her late-husband saw the possibilities and left their employment to work full-time building a sustainable farm. Their focus was to make local food accessible and to create a community educated about healthy food and responsible sources. As her experience grew, so did her vision, and she saw the need for an organized effort in promoting and protecting farmers, farms, and local food economies. She and her daughter started another adventure, while continuing the first, and co-founded Red Acre Center in the midst of farming. She says she has never worked a day in her life. "I always find myself engaged in a cause and loving what I do!" The mother of four and grandmother of nine, she loves, to walk, read, farm, eat good food and be anxiously engaged in a good cause.

Charlie is the arborist for Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, an ISA Certified Arborist, and former farm hand at B.U.G. Farms. He is passionate about growing strong, beautiful trees that benefit the surrounding community. Before moving to Utah, Charlie was a professional arborist in Minnesota, mentored at Four Seasons Tree Service for 7 years, organized workshops and conferences with the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture and was a teaching assistant at Hennepin Technical College. Charlie’s favorite trees are oak trees.​

Kat has been a passionate voice in the St. George local food community for the past eight years. She has worked tirelessly to promote local through any means necessary be that running the Downtown Farmers Market, opening a local co-op during the pandemic, and more recently taking on the Head Grower position in an Aeroponic Greenhouse. Her work has won her multiple awards such as the St. George Chamber of Commerce Ignite award, and WIN's Woman to Watch. Seeing the struggle of local farmers from so many facets gives her unique insight and perspective.

Chris Pyper owns and operates Rustling Aspen Farm, a small diverse market garden in Midway, UT, which he started in 2018. He first became interested in local agriculture and food systems while working as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco. That interest quickly turned into a passion after moving to Seattle while he volunteered with two local farming organizations and had a weekend job selling vegetables for a large organic farm at farmers markets. During that time, he also worked for an outdoor education nonprofit doing accounting, grant writing, fundraising, and event work. Eventually growing tired of city life and being stuck in a cubicle, Chris made the move to Kentucky to help a friend start a small vegetable farm, where he worked for four seasons before moving back to his hometown of Midway. Over 90% of the food grown at Rustling Aspen Farm is sold within five blocks of the farm through a CSA program, farmers market, and to area restaurants. Chris also started and runs the Midway Farmers Market, which is centered around locally grown/produced food and agricultural products.

Tony Richards is an accomplished agricultural professional with deep roots in Northern Utah, where he is a fifth-generation steward of a centennial farm. Holding both a bachelor's and master's degree in Crop Science/Agronomy and Plant Science from Utah State University, Tony has dedicated over 13 years to advancing agricultural development, conservation planning, and regenerative agriculture.

In his role as the Soil Health Program Manager with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Tony brings a wealth of experience gained from working in diverse locations, including Utah, Arizona, Illinois, Ethiopia, and Uganda. His previous roles include positions with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Sequoia Farm Foundation, and Morrell Agro Industries. Tony is also an active board member of A.R.I.S.E. International and a founding member of the Utah Soil Health Partnership, underscoring his commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and soil health initiatives.

Marc Roberts grew up in Provo Utah. Served a 2 year mission for his church in Argentina. A Civil Engineer graduate from Brigham Young University and played on the BYU basketball team.

Elected to the Utah State Legislature in 2012 and served for 8 years in the Utah House of Representatives. Marc served on the Business and Labor Committee, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee, Political Subdivisions Committee, the Sentencing Commission, as Chair of the House Government Operations Committee and Co-Chair of the Administrative Rules Committee. Marc was a consistent advocate for local farming, agriculture and food production. He sponsored and passed several pieces of legislation including the Homemade Food and Consumption Act ("Food Freedom"), Cow Sharing, Mobile Raw Milk Sales, and Shell Egg and Poultry Amendments.

Co-founder and COO of a payment technology company in Spanish Fork, Zift and serves as a board member for the Red Acre Center for Food and Agriculture. He currently lives in Salem Utah with his wife Casey and 5 kids.

Steven Rosenberg is the Founder and Good Food Evangelist at Liberty Heights Fresh; a nationally award-winning neighborhood good food market in Salt Lake City, UT, founded in 1993.
Prior to founding Liberty Heights Fresh, Rosenberg worked in his family’s Southwest Michigan fruit orchards and vegetable fields; as a street fruitier; wholesale produce merchant; biotech marketer; flower importer; and filmmaker.
A good food movement activist; Rosenberg has served on numerous non-profit, trade association and local government boards committees. Prior speaking engagements include: Borad Bia (Irish Food Board)
Specialty Food Conference, Adare, Ireland 1999. Oldways Olavita Conference, Puglia, Italy 2006. American Cheese Society Presenter/Panelist, Louisville, KY 2006. Numerous live television appearances –KTVX, KUTV, FOX13, and KSL (1994-present).
Rosenberg obtained a BS in Food Marketing/Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University (1983); studied filmmaking at the Vancouver Film School (1990-91); and has completed the Babson College Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, Salt Lake City (2013).

Working USU Extension and Utah TOPP to support current and transitioning organic farmers and ranchers through mentorship, technical assistance, and community building.

I am an organic and sustainable food systems advocate with experience working in diverse agricultural, small business, public service, and non-profit settings. I have a decade of experience in agriculture as an organic crop inspector, food hub manager, farm worker, food system’s researcher, and extension agent. I have dedicated my life to seeing farmers succeed and communities gain greater access to healthy local food.

James and Joyce Skeet are the co-founders Covenant Pathways, a 501c3 non-profit organization. They are passionate about reconnecting all peoples to the land through Indigenous Regenerative Intelligence that integrates the ancient wisdom of Native cosmology to create a haven where soil health, nutrient rich foods, human health, and free markets can prosper for another 10,000 years. James’ heritage has assisted in grounding him in the work he does as a full-blooded Navajo Native American from Vanderwagen, New Mexico. Joyce, born and raised in Pennsylvania, was introduced to agriculture, animal husbandry, and food preservation from an early age. Together, in 2016, they launched an experiential and research farm, Spirit Farm, in Vanderwagen, NM, that uses only natural practices including microbiological composting, to heal the high desert southwestern soil to be a living example of how we can recover and reclaim traditional farming and spiritual practices to transform our way of life and health, reducing the dependency on the very food system that is harming us.

Annie Spendlove is a passionate advocate for local agriculture and the owner of the Hurricane Utah Farmers Market. Born and raised in southern Utah, Annie has always had a deep connection to her community and the land. She married her husband, Jeff, in 2021, shortly after they spent time living in Texas.

In 2016, Annie and Jeff started a large garden that produced an abundance of tomatoes. With the nearest farmers market 80 miles away, Annie took the initiative to create one in her local community. Her efforts soon garnered the support of a local hospital, which sponsored the market to promote healthy eating.

While living in Texas, Annie and Jeff gained valuable experience selling produce at various farmers markets, including large markets near San Antonio and Victoria. Their experiences, especially during natural disasters, underscored the importance of building resilient local food systems.

In 2020, the couple returned to Utah and established a new farmers market to support local agriculture and ensure access to fresh, local food for their community. Annie and Jeff also operate a thriving produce farm, complete with a self-serve store, U-pick garden nights, animal visits, and homesteading classes. Their efforts bring their agricultural lifestyle to life for both their family and the community.

Together, Annie and Jeff have 10 children, 2 daughters-in-law, and 3 grandchildren. Annie also serves on the Apple Valley city council, where she champions the rights of farmers and ranchers, striving to strengthen local agriculture and food systems.

Heather is an educator, author, and homesteader living in the Uintah Basin of Eastern Utah. She has been in love with nature since a pivotal wilderness experience at the the age of 17, which led to a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management & Youth Leadership and later a Master’s degree in Education. She has worked with both youth and adults in the great outdoors at Beaver High Adventure Base, Philmont Scout Ranch, and Elevation Outdoors (accumulating to over 400 nights sleeping in a tent!). Now she is the owner of a year-round outdoor nature school at Little House Farm, the homestead she stewards with her husband. She is also the author of “Own Your Rhythm” which is a love note to the moon and the power of connecting to nature’s cycles. Heather advocates for children gaining an early and deep connection to nature and sees this as vital to the health and future of our planet.

John is a Biochar Expert & Advocate: Turning Nature Based Carbon Solutions into Action

Biochar is the oldest "new tech" on the market, and it transformed my life! Five years ago, searching for a solution to fix my compacted lawn soil, I stumbled upon a video by a soil scientist talking about "biochar and biology" to fix her lawn. I looked up "What is biochar? in a search engine and that moment ignited my passion for this simple yet revolutionary process that captures carbon from organic resources to enrich soil, reduce greenhouse gas pollution, enhance sustainability, and improve ecosystem resilience.

From backyard low-tech biochar production experiments to mortgaging my home for a commercial pyrolyzer capable of processing 20 tons of biomass per day into biochar, I committed myself fully to the world of biochar. Leaving my tech career behind, I launched Go Biochar LLC, where I now offer biochar products, consulting, education, and demonstrations on biochar production for applications in agriculture, gardening, forestry, and carbon capture.

As the former Director of Communications for the US Biochar Initiative (USBI), a non-profit advancing biochar through research, policy, and industry practices, I’ve helped grow the biochar industry and elevate its profile. I’ve also been part of the organizing team for the last two North American Biochar Conferences (2022 and 2024) and am currently planning the 2025 event. I frequently give presentations on programs such as the USDA NRCS Code 336 Soil Carbon Amendment for farmers, participate on podcasts, communicate on social media, and even used to write the monthly biochar newsletter.

I’m passionate about sharing biochar’s potential to solve modern challenges: improving soil health, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, enhancing climate resilience, and decarbonizing heavy industries. Nature is the original "Direct Air Capture" system, and biochar is how we harness its superpower.

If you’re looking to explore biochar’s role in agriculture, climate tech, carbon capture, or sustainable practices, I’d love to share insights and engage in meaningful conversations!

Sabrina has a background in architecture, law and urban planning with almost 25 years of experience working with groups across the U.S. as a community organizer and organizational development specialist. In 2000, she founded a non-profit to address sustainability and food security in low-income neigborhoods, and created SEED as a project focused on urban farming and community food systems. She began helping non-tech food growers in South Los Angeles and Cuba explore regenerative agriculture and technology by introducing a DIY, automatic irrigation system. In 2019, Sabrina founded SEED, with the goal of democratizing agtech. She is a certified Master Gardener.

Javier came from a farming background in Mexico and landed in Los Angeles at the age of 20. For the next 20 years, he learned English and eventually attended college at the age of 43, earning a degree in Horticulture. Following college, he attended Agriculture and Lande Based Learning (ALBA). After completing the rigorous program, he began his farming career on an acre and one-half of organic ground. Today, Zamora farms 65 acres in the Pajaro Valley. He currently mentors several first generation farmers, showing them where to get financial help, how to look for land, and how to access other resources to be successful. He regularly collaborates with organizations that have the shared vision of supporting family farms and building a more equitable food system.