who we are
we are a women led team of farmers, medicine makers, seed keepers, and community
organizers who work together in shared passion for education and justice
STAFF
Marissa Joe
health & justice coordinator
[email protected]
Marissa Joe is Hopi and Diné from the Village of Sipaulovi in Second Mesa, Arizona. She is Honwungwa (Bear Clan) on her Hopi side and on her Navajo side she is born for Kiyaa’áanii(Towering House Clan), her maternal grandfather is Naakai dine’é(Mexican Clan) and her paternal grandfather is Tótsohnii(Big Water Clan).
Renée Fourie
financial admin & education
[email protected]
Renée Fourie is a Pacific Islander-Caucasian seed saver, Earth steward, and firm believer in the healing power of food. Her academic education focused on anthropology, geology, and adult education, but upon learning about the magic of seeds, she realized that all her learning intersected when connected to the world of seed saving.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Shannon Francis, co-Chair
Shannon Francis, is a Hopi and Dineh from the Southwest homelands of Arizona and New Mexico. She is Towering House clan born for Red Running into the Water clan. Her Hopi clans are Massau’, Bear Sand, and Snake Clan. Shannon comes from twelve generations of earth caretakers, ethnobotanists, and seed keepers.
Joseluis Ortiz y Muniz, Chairperson
Hi, My name is Joseluis Ortiz. I am an indigenous Genizaro, land-based, native New Mexican from the Genizaro land grant (La Merced de Santo Tomas el Apostol de Rio de Las Trampas) village of Rodarte and currently live in my maternal village of San Antonio Del Rio Embudo or modern-day “Dixon” in the high desert of Northern New Mexico.
Val Valdez, co-Chair
Born, grazed, and now based in El Valle de San Luis, Colorado, Valentina Valdez (Val) is a 5th generation farmer eager to merge her passions for the environment, human-centered business, and agriculture. She is primarily an activist for equitable and sustainable agriculture and self-identifies as a radical chicanx ecofeminist.
