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.

Kelly and her husband Mike live near Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada where they operate a family ranch running owned and custom yearling cattle with a small cow herd. They also have another ranch near Debden, Saskatchewan. Kelly has been involved with Holistic Management for close to 25 years. She became an HMI Certified Educator in the late 1980s and has taught a number of courses and has worked with many family producers and management groups. One area of focus for Kelly has been the “human” piece, particularly in the area of succession planning as many operations and teams work through the process of transitioning to the next generation.

Roundtable Facilitator

A Balanced Approach to Regenerative Agriculture