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Our Team
Everything we do starts beneath our feet. Replenishing. Restoring. Regenerating.
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The Eyes Behind The Vision
Dedicated to revitalizing ecosystems across the globe, Nick and Marissa are listening for the needs of their immediate community and Earth herself.
Drylands Agroecology Research has become an unlikely reality in the arid foothills of the Rocky Mountains and continues to focus on researching and documenting how it truly is possible to create abundance where there may be little to no water or hope.
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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.
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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.
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 Marie Archibeque, owner of Casita Herbals, is an Indigenous Chicanx multi-generational Coloradan. Her mission and vision for Casita Herbals is to serve/build her community, share her medicines, and reclaim ancestral knowledge, roots, and ways of living, by giving back to Mama Earth through a Decolonized Lense of Herbalism and Land Restoration. Check out more at www.casitaherbals.com
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alexa Rosenthal, a founding steward of Ecoversity, is deeply committed to nurturing a sanctuary of learning rooted in nature's wisdom and the celebration of all life. Ecoversity reaches over 1 million individuals every month and has welcomed tens of thousands to engage in regenerative education online. As it expands, Ecoversity plans to integrate in-person education into its hybrid model. Alexa delights in immersing herself in diverse cultures, learning from the rich tapestry of traditions and perspectives. Exploration of consciousness is a passion of hers, with plants often serving as her guides. Laughter, a constant companion on her journeys, infuses joy into every interaction. When not tending to the thriving community at Ecoversity, you might find Alexa in her own garden in Boulder, Colorado, nestled on the ancestral homelands of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho nations, where she finds solace and inspiration amidst the beauty of nature.
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.
Brett serves as the city of Boulder’s Senior Policy Advisor for Climate Action and leads the City’s NaturalClimate Solutions team. He is also the Director of the Center for Regenerative Solutions (CRS)—a national initiative to expand natural climate solutions nationally that is co-sponsored by the UrbanSustainability Directors Network.Brett’s primary responsibility is the ongoing evolution of the city’s climate action initiatives. Over the past two years, Brett has coordinated cross-department/multi stake holder efforts in soil regeneration and sequestration research on agricultural lands and an urban forestry expansion campaign at a local, regional and national level.
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.
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.
Colleen McClosky Is a registered Occupational Therapist with a love for the healing powers of the great outdoors. After many years working with children in a variety of settings she became inspired to bring therapy outside of the typical four walls. After landing at her new home on the Starhouse land in Boulder, this vision became even more clear. The vision is to create a space for children and families to be supported in a highly individualized way while navigating the ups and downs of neurodiversity in the home life and educational journey.
Colleen has 20+ years working with children as an early childhood education teacher, behavior therapist, mindfulness educator and school based occupational therapist. Colleen loves the joy and creativity that sparks from deep presence and connection with children. She is a competitive athlete, ski instructor for special needs children, spiritual seeker and yoga lover!
As a mother and grandmother, Lisa takes the responsibility of being human into action for the quality of life and the sake of the Earth. Born in Ohlone Territory (now called Oakland, California), she has worked and raised her family in various bio-regions in what is now called the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, awakening her curiosity and appreciation for the intersection of nature and culture. Since leaving corporate positions with Apple, Time Warner, and DK Publishing, she has worked extensively in leadership positions with local and regional nature-based organizations, developing a keen awareness and appreciation of the benefits of deep nature connection for all ages. Today, Lisa serves on the Leadership Circle of the Nature Connection Network and as President of the Board of Directors for the Guelph Outdoor School and as Board Member of the Kiva Center She shares a home and garden with her favorite human, two cats, one dog and several squirrels, on the traditional territories and unceded homelands of the Cheyenne, Ute and Arapaho nations and many others (now called Boulder, Colorado USA), where she is grateful for the inspiration and protection of the Flatirons.
