greg@soilchef.net

720-378-2693

Soil Chef/www.Soilchef.net and/or Kraft Soil Solutions/www.KraftSoilSolutions.com

I would love to share my interests/talents with a like minded group that goes to work when society says it cant be done. I have walked over a millions acres of organic and commercial acres of dirt/soils and have helped farmers use what society says is waste products and turned it into foods for the new soils and its life sustaining cycle of life under our feet. I have created systems for converting lands and businesses into certified organic operations . Managed crops and livestock nutrition programs and grown crops of all types for food and feed. I live in Berthoud and my family farms in Boulder county where they live. I would welcome sharing and working on projects that helps to make families self reliant and care takers of this worlds soils one square inch at a time and a cup of water as well. Lets dance in the rain and create and be givers of a balanced way of life that can be for generations. But we need to start teaching now!

Our family has over 200 acres that belongs to my daughter and her husband. I am the soil tender, the composter, the planter, the feed of beef cattle and the nursery dad in the birthing capacity and tend to the veggie crops. They also lease some land from Boulder county which is being transitioned into organic crop land for hays and grasses.

Smiles, well wishes, dirty hands, a moment of Ah Ha and a welcomed, "Thank you for sharing and caring. Actions do speak louder and clearer then words any day, so an afternoon of sunshine and pulling weeds is medicine to the soul. Got any weeds I can pull?”

dmtaylor@kitchensinkferments.com

Kitchen Sink Fermentation Collaborative

www.kitchensinkferments.com

240-863-1666

David and his partner, Allison, and three dogs have lived in Colorado for almost ten years. Arriving here a few years after graduating college at East Tennessee State University via Washington D.C, David spent most of his developmental years in a small rural town in Southeast Tennessee bordering Asheville, North Carolina. He spent weekends up the holler on the family farm where his great-grandfather farmed 10 acres of diverse vegetables with his old mare and plow. David remembers learning the lessons of chickens, plants and snake dogs at an early age, as well as the distinct smell of hard work his Papaw Willie always embraced. His great- grandmother, Ollie, lived with him from the age of five until her passing when he was thirteen. He relishes in the wisdom and memories of picking maters, breaking beans, preserving food, cuddling with a hand sewn quilt, and eating the soup beans and cornbread she always had cooking on the stove. The stories and songs of his rich cultural heritage steeped in growing has led him back to agriculture and the natural world after detouring through the construction and engineering world. Most recently, he interned for Monroe Organic Farms in Kersey, which he has been a working member and northern Colorado delivery person for the past five seasons. DT ultimately believes we are all capable of healing ourselves and our world by working with complex soil microbes and mycelium structure (and a lot of love) to create nutrient-dense food and fermented products. Outside of agriculture and reducing food waste through fermentation, he enjoys trail running and hiking with his dogs and Allison, tending to the backyard flock of hens, playing the dulcimer, growing heritage vegetables, and serving in a leadership role with the Larimer County Farmers Alliance.

Kitchen SInk Ferments started on a local organic CSA farm as interns. Fermenters DT (David Taylor) and Mike P (Michael Paladino) lived together behind the barn in humble quarters, working the field by day and fermenting gleaned veggies and what some would consider compost under Mike’s kitchen sink by night.

So, the idea of Kitchen Sink Fermentation Collaborative was born! Seeing the surplus of vegetables returning from the farmers’ market , those left over from weekly CSA distribution, and the ones left behind in the field, the Kitchen Sink guys wanted to take action by transforming what could be waste into tasty and nutrient-dense fermented foods that aid the gut and spirit. What began as a season of experimentation under Mike’s sink has now become an opportunity to create a positive shift in our world by sharing the fermentation creations with you.

tierney.lain@gmail.com

320-237-4358

Colorado Early Colleges- Fort Collins

I am the Agriculture Teacher at Colorado Early Colleges High School in Fort Collins with previous experience in dairy farming, rotational grazing, fiber, chickens, backyard gardening, and equine management. Originally from Minnesota, degree in Animal Science from Colorado State University, spent time on Martha's Vineyard coordinating learning experiences on an educational farm, started an Agriculture Education Program in Florence, CO, implemented educational programming at an educational ranch in Allenspark, CO, and now ready to learn more!

benu11@yahoo.com

720-988-4963

Aijalon Farms (future name) / Currently fundraising to develop the land

I am a Beginner Farmer learning how to create a non-profit farm and education center on my family's land. It is slightly less than an acre but we would like to develop it into a learning farm for people with disabilities and food justice for marginalized populations, especially the indigenous communities. We are interested in using permaculture and regenerative agriculture practices along with renewable energies or off grid options. We would like to create a food hub in a 'food desert' near Stout and Horsetooth Reservoir. I am currently a graduate student attending Naropa University and active in advocacy work with various government agencies and farming organizations like Colorado Department of Human Services Family Voice Council, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Mile High Farmers, Colorado Renewable Energy Society and Denver Producers group along with the Denver Permaculture Guild. I am active in my local community food systems initiatives during COVID-19 and collaborating with CSU and Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council. I am looking to make connections to build community in my farming networks.

Our land is a little less than an acre in Larimer County. It is located near the southern most tip of Horsetooth Reservoir and near the town of Stout. Our crop will be greens and mushrooms later expanding to flowers and bees for honey along with indigenous plants for landscaping and medicinal purposes.

We bring a lot of indigenous practices into our growing, we believe in giving gratitude and respect to the land as it gives us sustenance and so much more. We acknowledge that the land we farm on is stolen land and that in some we want to pay reparations to the First Nations that inherited the land before us. We encourage healing and living in commune with nature and the earth. Some of our ways may different than the normal agricultural practices so we ask for open hearts and open minds when we practice living with the land.

keithgil2@gmail.com

970-412-6906

Horse property: Part pasture, part grass hay through family since '80. Sole owned since 2008.

Transitioning to stabilizing property issues in preparation for transitioning in one way or another out for my next adventure.

GO FORTH AND GROW AND PROSPERING

cathymorgan33@gmail.com

847-828-9885

I worked on an organic farm and also had my own organic farm business selling at markets and home delivery. I also practiced Elliott Coleman minimally heated winter greenhouse growing.

I am available to volunteer at a farm for greenhouse work, planting, harvesting, as well as, available to volunteer to work at farmer's markets.

I am a member of Poudre Valley Community Farms.

scardillo919@yahoo.com

970-482-5336

Conrad Associates, LLC

I grew up an eastern Nebraska farm kid in the 1960's. We were an organic, diversified farm before we knew that it was cool. It was simply the way my dad did things, learning from his father and homesteading grandmother. My career took me to many far off places, but I never lost my connection to the land and what it means to grow good and healthy food. When my now husband and I moved to NoCo several years ago we found a little acre near LaPorte. I am not yet retired but wanted to put down new roots in a community that supports young farmers. I look around and am thrilled with what I see. I also recognize that it is very hard work.

I own my own consulting company, focused on small business and not for profit organizations. I work with President owners making strategic change - growing their business, changing their product mix, reaching into new markets. . I listen, I support, I guide, I coach. I am a teacher at heart and have learned how to listen and draw out people as they work through what is next for their business. My experience is that most entrepreneurs have the answers within their own heart, mind and soul. Often, they simply need someone to listen and help them sort through their own thinking.
I am also comfortable in front of people and had considerable experience in adult education and development.

I am here because I wish to serve. I see the talent of the young farming community growing in NoCo. I am grateful for the vision these young people have and want to provide whatever support I am able to at this time in my life and career.