Marie von Ancken is a Programs Manager for HMI, advanced ceramic apprentice, and anti-oppression activist. She is passionate about environmental justice and regenerative farming as a solution to transforming our food system and addressing climate change. She grew up in Corrales, New Mexico, where her family raised chickens and has spent significant time living in Finland, France, and Nicaragua. She now manages a 35 acre reforestation project in Port Townsend, WA. As Program Manager at Holistic Management International, Marie has spent the last decade developing learning opportunities, both locally and internationally, that aim to educate farmers, ranchers and food advocates in agricultural practices that increase organic matter in the soil, grow nutrient-dense foods, and sequester carbon while empowering them to strengthen their businesses and improve their quality of life. Marie has a bachelor’s degree in International Business Management and Sustainability Studies from the University of New Mexico/College of Charleston/IPAG School of Business – Nice, France. She is an Aldo Leopold Land Ethic Leader and is glad she “will not be young in a future without wilderness.”

Roundtable Facilitator

The Unconference Roundtable

Not your average roundtable! The Unconferenced experience will feature an Open Space-style facilitation wherein participants engage in a participatory process to identify, and dive into, what’s most important in the moment. If you are not seeing the topics you want to discuss at the conference, attend this session. Come and pitch an idea, or come and hear what others are passionate about, then break out and have the conversations you’re most interested in having. This is also a great opportunity for anyone with an interest in learning new facilitation and collaboration processes. 

James is Director of the Indigenous Lands Program at Trees, Water & People. He engages and works with Tribal Nations on efforts centered around Tribal-led stewardship projects that bolster economic opportunities and landscape-scale restoration efforts. James provides insight on best practices to work with Tribal governments that uphold traditional ethics of governance and leadership. His deep rooted experiences strengthens TWP’s approach in building honest, working relationships while promoting cross-cultural values of landscape conservation.

Plenary Speaker

Relying on Traditional Knowledge Systems in Turbulent Times

Accepting and navigating through challenges and obstacles are natural components of learning and adaptation for human beings. This presentation will highlight a local, place-based approach on how to navigate changes to a system impacted by political and environmental impacts. We will dig into approaches and methods of how to remain resilient during times of uncertainty and stay focused on the nature of active stewardship. This presentation will also highlight how Traditional Knowledge systems can teach us to remain focused on the grander picture of our work.

Julie Sullivan, founding mentor of the Quivira Coalition’s New Agrarian Program in 2008, currently serves as Mentor Training and Support for the program. She and her husband, George Whitten have been mentors with the program since 2009, and own and manage their 3rd-generation, cow/calf-to-finish cattle ranch in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The ranch is committed to restorative practices that result in soil health, functioning grassland ecosystems, and viable small scale ranching.
For a decade, Julie was faculty for the field-based Audubon Expedition Institute at Lesley University Environmental Studies and Environmental Education program. She has taught workshops for Colorado State University, Colorado College, Adams State University, Fort Lewis College, Quivira Coalition, Western Colorado Food and Farm Forum, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Sandhills Task Force, PASA, MOFGA, among others.
She is fiercely dedicated to the next generation of agrarians, fully functioning ecosystems and creative solutions to the interaction of humans with their planet.

For a decade, Julie was faculty for the field-based Audubon Expedition Institute at Lesley University Environmental Studies and Environmental Education program. She has taught workshops for Colorado State University, Colorado College, Adams State University, Fort Lewis College, Quivira Coalition, Western Colorado Food and Farm Forum, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Sandhills Task Force, National FIELD Network, Rogue Farm Corps, among others.

She is fiercely dedicated to the next generation of agrarians, fully functioning ecosystems and creative solutions to the interaction of humans with their planet.

Roundtable Facilitator

Apart From to A Part Of : Creating a Sense of Belonging During Transient Times in Early Agrarian Career

Rural communities often benefit from enthusiastic newcomers arriving to help out on farms and ranches, thus revitalizing land and society. Yet newcomers often feel unwelcome or unsure of how to become part of their new place. Beginning agrarians relocate frequently for years; what helps build community in spite of transiency? Locals usually want to see a person stick around a few years before investing in them, while newcomers want to share their ideas and skills right away. Join us as we explore what NAP alumni and apprentices have tried in their various communities, share your own ideas, and consider what locals could do to better support new agrarians eager to become part of, and contribute to, their new home town.