WFA welcomes two new team members
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In this month’s edition, we’re proud to introduce two new staff members, recap a successful USDA biocontrol-focused field day, and highlight on-farm habitat champions at Scenic Valley Farms and Triple F Ranch. We share a partner survey for apple and peach growers impacted by processing and distribution changes in Pajaro Valley and celebrate the expansion of soil health programs in North Dakota! Finally, we announce our upcoming Nest Box Building Workshop on November 12 at the Cultivar Conference in Napa Valley and the final week of Zero Foodprint Restore grant applications!
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New staff members Lindsey Hethcote (left) and Kalea Conrad (right)
WFA Welcomes New Co-Director and Fellow
Wild Farm Alliance is thrilled to introduce two new staff members to the team: Lindsey Hethcote and Kalea Conrad. Both bring experiences and skills that will enrich our team and further our mission to support wild farming practices.
Lindsey Hethcote, Co-Director, has worked throughout North and Latin America at the intersection of agriculture and conservation, with a focus on regenerative agriculture, biodiversity conservation, on-farm conservation planning and implementation, education, and partnership building. Prior to joining Wild Farm Alliance, Lindsey served as a Program Manager at the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (CRARS) at CSU Chico, leading farmer technical assistance, education, and partnerships. Her previous work includes serving as Education Director on an agroecological farm in Tecate, Mexico, managing an organic elderberry farm in her home state of Missouri, and working as an Extension Specialist for the University of Missouri. She also worked in Peru as part of the founding team of a sustainable food company focused on protecting agrobiodiversity.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join Wild Farm Alliance as the new California-based Co-Director!” says Lindsey. “The work WFA has done over the past 26 years to bring nature back to farms is incredibly impressive, and I’m inspired by the team’s commitment to building on that legacy. There is still much work to be done to integrate ecological principles and biodiversity conservation into agricultural systems so that nature and agriculture can thrive together across working landscapes. I look forward to working alongside WFA’s talented team and partners to expand this work in California and across the nation.”
Kalea Conrad, GrizzlyCorps Fellow, brings a background in soil health and pollinator habitat. While pursuing her master's degree in Environmental Sciences and Management at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Kalea researched plastic mulch ("plasticulture") in California strawberry production and interviewed agricultural professionals to identify alternative mulch types and production methods. She has worked with Central Coast Resource Conservation Districts on soil health and pollinator habitat planning and has experience managing many university-wide waste reduction efforts. Additionally, she has worked with the nonprofit Zero Foodprint to reconnect everyday consumers of the food & beverage industry to soil regeneration.
"I feel so lucky to join the WFA team in supporting growers as they welcome the many benefits of wildlife on farmlands,” says Kalea. “I am eager for habitat to be reintegrated as a norm on farmscapes of all scales, and appreciate the bold vision for hedgerows to the moon and back!"
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Planting for Beneficial Insects
Highlights from our Field Day at USDA Spence Research Farm
On September 30, WFA partnered with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and UC Davis to host a Field Day at the USDA Spence Research Farm in Salinas, California. The event brought together researchers, growers, and agricultural professionals to explore how hedgerows, insectary strips, and habitat patches can support beneficial insects on working farms.
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Farmer Profile: Investing in Ecosystems at Scenic Valley Farm
Scenic Valley Farms is operated by Brian Zielinski, a third generation farmer in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. They primarily grow wine grapes and hops, along with hazelnuts, garlic, pumpkins, grass seed, wheat, and clover. Brian and Hops Manager AJ Lomax are constantly looking for ways to support wildlife and create mutually beneficial environments for biodiversity and agriculture on the land. Brian’s business model is based on investing in the farm ecosystem that will be left for their children instead of focusing solely on the bottom line.
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It Takes One Black Sheep: Growing Microbes at Triple F Ranch
Our friends at Fibershed published a feature article on Richard Felipe and his Triple F Ranch this summer. Richard and WFA have partnered on a number of conservation projects over the years and we’re excited to share a closer look at the work taking place at his San Joaquin Valley farm.
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Join WFA at this year’s Cultivar conference Nov 10-12 in the beautiful Napa Valley! For over a decade this annual Spanish-language program has offered immersive learning to agricultural professionals. This year, we’re excited to partner with Tom Clark of Aloft and Karen-Gallardo-Cruz of UC Davis on a nest box building workshop on November 12th from 10:30-12:00pm.
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Call for Stories from Impacted Peach and Apple Growers
Are you a peach or apple grower affected by the Del Monte Cannery closure or Martinelli & Co. contract cancellations?
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is assessing the impact of the Del Monte Cannery Closure and Martenelli’s Pajaro Valley Departure on Peach Growers in Yuba and Sacramento Counties and Apple Growers in Pajaro Valley. If you’re a grower or know a grower in your area, CAFF wants to hear from you. Affected growers can share their stories via the form at the link below.
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North Dakota Soil Health and Habitat Program
Earlier this year, North Dakota announced the Governor’s Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program. The program represents a momentous step forward for conservation biodiversity in America. Over the next five years, state officials will attempt to enroll up to 10,000 acres of land in the flagship program.
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Grant Opportunity with Zero Foodprint
Deadline Quickly Approaching: Due November 4th at 11:59pm!
Zero Foodprint (ZFP) works with restaurants and grocers to connect everyday consumers to “collective regeneration”- a table to farm approach that decarbonizes agriculture, one acre at a time. ZFP restaurant partners add an optional 1% micro-donation on their receipts - directly supporting growers via Restore Grants.
At a Glance:
- Maximum grant award: $25,000
- Agricultural operations must be in California, Colorado, Oregon, or Washington.
- Applies to farms or ranches growing food or beverage products for human consumption only.
- Selection Process: Grants are primarily awarded on the basis of “Cost per Ton” of CO2e sequestered.
- Applying for projects and/or practices that are already funded or will be funded in full by other sources is not permitted.
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Wild Farm Alliance · PO Box 2570, Watsonville, CA 95077
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Bringing Nature Back to the Farm
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