Our Team

Hailing from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Nick is a regenerative designer, farmer, and builder. Inspired by indigenous culture and ancient farming practices, he works passionately to design the future of living systems. In 2015, Nick began farming on a barren and desertified 14 acre parcel of land in rural north Boulder County, now called Elk Run Farm, and the pilot research project for Drylands Agroecology Research (DAR). Today, Nick is working to develop climate change solutions through regenerative farming, working with private and public landowners across Boulder County.

As a graduate of Environmental Studies and the Psychology of Health and Healing at Naropa University, Marissa is passionate about igniting the innate human-earth connection within herself and others.  She runs Folk Farm at Elk Run, encouraging play and the importance of intuition. A trained Doula, skilled herbalist, and cultural advocate, Marissa continues to evolve through practicing ritual, embodiment, and communication with the unseen.

Ryan is a dedicated organization and community builder. He believes that the change we need comes from diverse communities, networked and self-organizing towards a more just and regenerative future. Colorado-born, he’s been leading organizations centered in community impact for two decades. Ryan now serves as the Director of Operations for Drylands Agroecology Research, designing regenerative systems for the organization. Ryan currently studies Systems Design through the Systemic Design Labs at ETHZürich and holds a fellowship with nRhythm and Capital Institute. Outside of work and study, Ryan loves to cook for his wife and two daughters, host backyard gatherings with his neighborhood crew, and play frisbee golf with his closest friends.

Bella grew up in Colorado and has always felt an innate connection to the non-human world. In college, she studied Sustainable Agriculture and began her career as a professional horse trainer. After an injury forced a sudden career change, Bella stepped into management roles within the service industry, while pursuing music on the side. During that period of her life, Bella felt called to use her skills to impact more meaningful change, but it wasn't until the birth of her 6-year-old daughter, that she made the choice to fully dedicate herself to forging a regenerative future. The ensuing years saw Bella navigate various ventures, from founding a poultry business to immersing herself in the intricacies of local food systems. However, a sense of alignment was elusive until she encountered DAR.

Now, Bella contributes her attention to detail and soft skills to DAR's mission of land and cultural regeneration. Additionally, she serves as Assistant Operations Manager at Yellow Barn Farm, DAR's largest land partner and demonstration site. Off the clock, you'll find Bella cooking with local ingredients, knitting, playing bass, tending to her garden, and soaking up the outdoors with her family. Nestled along Left Hand Creek outside of Niwot, CO, she shares her home with her partner, daughter, dogs, and a crew of rescued feral cats and aims to live in reciprocity with the land and all of its inhabitants.

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Nelson’s degree studies are in soil health, ecology regeneration, and sustainable food systems such as agrivoltaics and agroforestry. He has dedicated his life to understanding how regenerative agriculture can serve as a catalyst for change in the face of climate change and believes that soil health is integral to this change. He lives in Longmont with his sweet cat, white German shepherd, and clinical herbalist husband and strives to embody living in a reciprocal relationship with nature through his research.

Certified as a Director with the Colorado Office of Early Childhood, Jessica has been teaching children ages 1-8 for seven years and has been a part of the Folk Farm Family since 2021. She received her B.S. in Human Development from the University of California San Diego and is a lifelong student of regenerative child raising practices. She holds the container of developmentally appropriate education through growing authentic connection, building responsive systems, and ensuring quality care.

Formally trained in business and real estate development, Casey joined DAR to hone the art of perennial agroecology and reciprocal community design. In 2014, she studied permaculture and started growing food on urban farms in NYC.  Soon after, she began a several year collaboration with a team of creatives to produce densely landscaped pop-up events, art installations, venues, and international retreats. In 2020, Casey redirected her project management to the development of a 150-acre organic farm and hospitality venture on the east coast.  Integrating these experiences with the work at DAR, her desire is to collectively bridge the natural world and built environments with restorative agricultural relationships at the core.

Brenna is currently serving as the Director of Development for DAR helping to guide and implement the philanthropic strategy as well as strategic partnerships. Brenna is a pragmatic and passionate visionary with over 19 years of leadership experience in both for profit and nonprofit operations. As a consultant, she pulls from a decade of hands-on leadership experience in Corporate Social Responsibility and nine years as a nonprofit executive working to mobilize both on-the-ground and systems-level solutions. She is the founder and CEO of B the Light Consulting. Through this work, she partners with her clients to champion adaptive and resilient organizations and communities by harnessing the power of nature’s wisdom and regenerative principles. Brenna is also the founder for the Regenerative World Quest, an international immersive research project that aims to co-create a place-based replication model for regenerative living. By honoring indigenous wisdom, and modern innovations, the Quest seeks to uplift and replicate best practices globally to craft a blueprint for shared prosperity on a healthy planet.

Born and raised in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, Carlos is inspired by collaborating with and uplifting land designers. Immersing himself in South America for five years guided his knowledge of community building, systems development and indigenous practices. After returning to the Canary Islands he received a degree in Architectural drafting and Project management. Soon after, he immigrated with his American wife to the US and lived at Elk Run Farm for one season. He is now the lead Project Manager and Digital Technician for Land Stewardship within DAR.

Anastacia Archibeque is an Indigenous Chicana multigenerational Coloradan. She was born and raised in a small farm town out east , Greeley Colorado. Graduating in 2019 with her certifications in Clinical Herbalism, she started her own small herbal practice/business: Casita Herbals. This journey led her to Elk Run where she slowly started paving her own path within DAR. Coming from a lineage of farmers, she is now taking upon the role in a new style. As the Food Solidarity Program Coordinator, her main focus is to uplift and integrate marginalized communities into DAR’s ecosystems. It’s very important for Anastacia to expand and give access to specific communities that do not have the opportunity or means to grow fresh organic food, grains, and herbal medicines . Being an advocate/activist, herbalist, and farmer is truly something special to her. She hopes to continue this work for years to come through herbalism and land regeneration.

Connor is a recent Colorado State University graduate holding a degree in Soil and Crop Sciences. Originally coming from Cape May, New Jersey, he has always been interested in plants, water, and just being outside in general. When he is not working as an apprentice at DAR, Connor enjoys kayaking (whether it be rivers or in the wetlands back in NJ), playing piano, and reading.

Growing up on the isthmus in Madison, WI nestled between lake Monona and Lake Mendota Katie found herself drawn to all things outdoors, first through playing in the garden and later sports. It wasn’t until college after a summer spent working on an organic farm that Katie became passionate about growing food and the ways it can build a deeper relationship with the land. This led to a deep dive into academia where Katie immersed herself in ideas of environmental justice, food sovereignty, and the intersection of human and environmental health. Eventually landing in Denver, CO Katie continued in this line of work by researching the impacts of urban agriculture in gentrifying neighborhoods in Denver. After graduating with her MA degree in Geography she felt the call of the land and the need to get her fingers back in the soil. Katie is excited to be an apprentice with DAR where she hopes to learn as much as she can about being in relationship with the land and working to create healthy ecosystems for humans, plants, and animals. When she is not farming you can find Katie running on the trails with her two dogs or crafting with her friends.

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After graduating with her BSEd in Youth and Social Innovation with a focus in Education Policy from the University of Virginia, Nina spent the past two years teaching English in Spain, most recently at a primary school working with students aged 3-11. She is excited to connect her love of the outdoors with her passion for education in this new role at Folk Farm School. In her free time she loves to read, cook for family and friends, and enjoy live music. Originally from the Midwest, Nina is looking forward to immersing herself in the beauty of the Front Range and can’t wait for the start of the school year! Ms. Nina will be teaching Monday-Thursday for the entire school year.

Madi's passion lies in connecting with youth through land based education. Through her extensive work in the outdoor education field and youth sports she's had many amazing opportunities to help kids develop strong leadership, social, and self-management skills. Her teaching style incorporates building sustainable relationships with the land, ourselves and each other, along with a healthy dose of teamwork and play each day! She's dedicated to facilitating curiosity and resilience in children, allowing their creativity and joy in life to blossom. She love s cultivating wonder and learning opportunities in everyday life and thinks that Nature provides an abundance of these moments. She's so excited to start creating memories with the community at Folk Farm! Ms. Madi will be teaching Tuesdays for Fall Semester and Monday-Thursday for Winter and Spring Semesters.