Leah Pinkner

Leah grew up in Webster Groves, Missouri where she met her husband and fellow apprentice, Jesse Pinkner. She graduated with a BS in Biology, also earning minors in Chemistry and Sustainability, as well as a certificate in Environmental Education from Missouri State University. Throughout college, Leah and Jesse took many trips to Jesse’s family ranch, the LZ ranch, and dreamed of making a life there. After college she worked in the Hultgren microbiology lab at WASHU Medical School. From there she moved into plant science, working in the Miller lab at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Here she fell in love with field work and found a way into agriculture. From there, she found the New Agrarian Program. Leah and Jesse are currently second year apprentices at the Moe Ranch in Two Dot, Montana. They are both working to start a direct marketing business, Honest Harvest, currently raising chicken and pork to sell to their community. Leah hopes to one day have a small, diverse food production operation with livestock integration that provides food and opportunities for her community.
Outside of her work, Leah enjoys gardening, cooking and baking to share with friends and family, crocheting, and camping, hiking, and climbing with Jesse and their dog Maggie.

Plenary Panel

Young Agrarians: Living the Questions Now & Seeking Bold Solutions & NAP Graduation Ceremony