My job is to help people work toward achieving their dreams through training, coaching, and other means, encouraging them to learn, practice, and build their capacity.
Initially, that was with young farmers, now it is primarily with and through our staff. I came to see that the Center develops people without specialized education or experience into national experts by learning from the rural people we serve; that awareness showed me how much we—each and together—can shape the world.
I get to connect people who have questions with others who have experience, answers and resources. So many agriculturalists who practice sustainable approaches are selfless in sharing what they know; it’s a privilege to spread their knowledge!
Throughout my career, I’ve been involved with land management: biological technician, ranch manager, land trust scout, tree surgeon, range conservationist, and more. I’ve worked across the Rocky Mountain west and midwest for cities, counties, states, federal agencies, private ranches, and environmental consultants. This expanse of geography and perspectives helps me to appreciate local variations and priorities, as well as larger patterns.
But, I also learned that while people control the landscape, they don’t always have the social tools to succeed at it. In addition to my college biology training, I learned to apply mediation to help people in conflict have productive conversations. This allowed me to assist farm and ranch families, who often face communication barriers that keep them from achieving their business, financial, and family goals.
As a child, my passion was learning all the trees, flowers, birds, and animals in the fields, woods, and streams where I grew up in rural Ohio. My classmates in my tiny school were farm and rural kids with similar experiences who largely wanted to farm. But my generation bore the brunt of the Farm Crisis of the 1980s, so we didn’t join or were forced to leave our farming families, and instead became salesmen, technicians, agency employees, and other professions far from the land. My work at the Center helps later generations overcome today’s immense obstacles to succeeding at farming, ranching, and other businesses.
I study the outdoors still; there is more to know about the natural world than we can imagine. Daily I practice observing that world. My wife and I have a large garden and manage a few sheep and chickens on our acreage. I provide some labor while she turns our harvests and wool into culinary and fiber art.
Q&A
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?
Off to New Zealand, Australia, upland Asia, and Alaska. I want to experience the big mountains, raw landscapes, and unique wildlife.
What (or who) inspires you?
People who adhere to their values, maintain their sense of self, and continue to demonstrate their message of optimism and care for others in the face of extreme adversity. Desmond Tutu and Muhammad Yunus are examples.
If you could instantly be good at something, what would it be?
Remembering names of people I meet.
