Jo Ann is the author of many publications on the intersection between biodiversity conservation and agriculture, including beneficial birds, the conservation mandates within the National Organic Program regulations, and the co-management of food safety and conservation. Before joining WFA, she addressed crop, livestock and fiber issues, was senior research editor for a book of California's rare wildlife species, and was an organic farmer for over a decade. For her Master's research in Environmental Studies Department at San Jose State University, she studied bird predation of insects in apple orchards. Her undergraduate degree is in Soil and Water Science from UC Davis. Jo Ann is based in Watsonville, California and has been with WFA since the organization was founded in 2001.

Shelly has worked in the sustainable agriculture field for more than 20 years, including working with the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides and working on farms in Montana and North Carolina. She has helped create several publications and resources and developed numerous education and outreach programs aimed at helping farmers and agricultural professionals better implement biodiversity conservation. In addition to her agriculture work, Shelly has a background in community organizing and regional food systems, and was the co-founder of the first Montana Farm to College Program at the University of Montana in Missoula. She earned her BA degree in biology and MS degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana. Shelly is based in Minneapolis, MN and joined WFA in 2015.

Ashley is an avid gardener and advocate for creating healthy habitat on farms and in community spaces. She brings over ten years of previous nonprofit communications, development, and leadership experience to Wild Farm Alliance. She worked most recently for the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides as a Co-Director and also has conservation corps experience and has volunteered on organic farms. She holds a BA in Graphic Design from Portland State University. Ashley is based in Eugene, Oregon and joined WFA in 2022.

Jen has extensive experience planning and implementing conservation practices throughout California to enhance, conserve, protect, and restore land, water, and soil resources. Prior to joining WFA, Jen worked closely with several Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), municipalities and non-profits throughout CA, using her in-depth experience coordinating, planning and implementing conservation practices, working with landowners and managers to meet the needs of humans as part of the ecosystem. Through her work with WFA, Jen continues to work with landowners, land managers, farmers, growers and ranchers to ensure that we are co-creating and cultivating on-ground measures that meet needs of all species as well as the lands, soils, waters upon which we rely. She received her BS in Biology and Chemistry from Union College (Schenectady, New York) before moving west and earning her MS in Environmental Science from UC Santa Barbara. Her master’s thesis examined the early successes and limitations of State Wildlife Actions Plans and helped to inform policy. Jen is based in Bishop, California and joined WFA in 2023.

Courtney brings over 20 years of experience as an organic farmer, community organizer, educator, researcher and collaborator. She played a pivotal role in founding and managing the Cornercopia Student Organic Farm at the University of Minnesota. While at the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, Courtney provided support to community gardeners, school gardens and growers across the region. She also co-created the MN SEED Project to help connect people to free, locally adapted, native seeds. Throughout her career Courtney has actively engaged with interns, volunteers and youth programs, dedicated to imparting knowledge about farming and the environmental stewardship to the next generation. She is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota with degrees in Environmental Horticulture (B.S.) and Agriculture Education (M.Ed). Courtney is based in St. Paul, MN and joined WFA in 2024.

Stephen brings expertise in natural enemy insects and their habitat to provide technical assistance for growers to implement conservation plans and on-the-ground projects. His background as an entomologist, organic inspector and Pest Control Advisor helps WFA expand our reach, while meeting the needs of growers who want to bring nature back to their farms. Stephen is based in San Luis Obispo, California and joined WFA in 2023.

Nick has a background in ornithology, working on multiple breeding bird surveys and bird banding studies. He supports WFA programming through a variety of tasks, including designing and building hedgerows, disseminating knowledge on regenerative agricultural practices at conferences, and making new interactive online resources to help growers across California contribute to more resilient ecosystems. Nick received his B.S. in conservation biology from St. Lawrence University in 2020 with a minor in political sciences. Nick joined the WFA team in 2021 as a GrizzlyCorps Fellow and was hired onto the staff in 2023.

GrizzlyCorps is an AmeriCorps program designed by Project Climate at UC Berkeley’s Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment. This program works to promote regenerative agri-food systems and fire and forest resilience across California. Tenaya grew up on a homestead turned small farm near San Diego. In recent years she supported operations on her family’s farm as well as other farms in the region. She has a background in community outreach and program implementation and has worked in close partnership with community groups in San Diego to implement climate resilient practices and healthy food systems. Recently she has worked as a restoration biologist in San Diego, restoring damaged watersheds, vernal pool habitat and native chaparral around the county. She is excited to join the WFA team to help farmers implement practices that benefit ecosystem health. Tenaya holds a B.A. in Sustainability from San Diego State University. She is based in Santa Cruz, California and joined WFA in 2023.