Locals Share Green Action

William Wildcat Coakee is the founder and Executive Director of Mother Tree Food & Forest, drawing upon a rich background that began in the Oklahoma Seminole Nation. His lifelong commitment to organic gardening since childhood, followed by extensive experience in organic farming and a decade of dedicated work in regenerative horticulture, food forestry, and wildland restoration, has provided him with a comprehensive foundation.

Coakee's expertise encompasses a wide range of fields, including Western science disciplines such as soil biology, mycology, botany, ecology, and zoology. He also delves into ecological anthropology, history, ethnobotany, herbalism, and the intricate realms of plant and fungi medicine. In addition, his knowledge extends to conventional regenerative agriculture, ancient Indigenous agroecology, and traditional ecological wisdom. He is well-versed in practices like landscape water retention, wetland restoration, syntropic agroforestry, food forestry, desert reforestation, Miyawaki reforestation, and ecology/climate physics.

Coakee's remarkable ability lies in his skillful integration of these diverse studies and systems of knowledge, creating a cohesive vision of humanity's relationship with the Earth as responsible stewards. He resides within the Mimbres River watershed on the unceded lands of the Tci-he-nde band of the Chiricahua peoples, where he honors the Brown Bear, Jaguar, Beaver, and the Forests and Wetlands that vanished with colonization.

Samantha Waldron, an unwavering champion of environmental causes and a dynamic member of her community, has woven her passion for nature into the very fabric of her life's journey. Her profound connection with the natural world took root in her formative years, nurtured by the profound influence of her father. This early bond propelled her into the fold of the high school environmental club, where her focus on safeguarding the fragile horseshoe crab populations of Cape May flourished.

Recognizing that environmental issues are inextricably linked to broader social and economic inequalities, Samantha embarked on a quest for knowledge. Engrossing documentaries like "The Story of Stuff" and "Plastic: a Toxic Love Story" became her enlightening guides, illuminating the intricate interplay between environmental sustainability and the human experience.

During her high school tenure, Samantha's commitment to service bloomed further through her involvement with Rotary International. Assuming the mantle of Interact president, she not only exemplified leadership but also secured a Coca-Cola scholarship—a testament to her dedication and impact. Her academic journey led her to Rutgers University, where she embraced her studies with vigor. However, her commitment to service remained steadfast. This devotion culminated in her receipt of the International Humanitarian Award, a testament to her striving to make a difference in the lives of others.

Post-graduation, Samantha's heart remained intertwined with the ethos of service. Her altruistic spirit led her to volunteer in Nepal, extending her impact across borders and cultures. As the Vice President of Rotaract New Jersey, she continues to be a driving force in steering positive change within her local community. Her involvement with Rotary and United Way/United Way of Northern New Jersey underscores her unswerving dedication to forging a brighter, more equitable world.

Beyond her roles as a community leader, Samantha possesses the credentials of a certified Environmental Remediation Scientist, harnessing her expertise to catalyze environmental conservation efforts.

In every facet of her life, Samantha Waldron stands as a living testament to the power of passion, dedication, and service. Her journey, marked by both individual achievement and collective betterment, serves as an inspiring narrative of what can be accomplished when one person dares to be a catalyst for positive change.

Sam Parker Davies has worked in every climate worldwide, with a variety of people including billionaires, refugees, and government officials, working in deserts and forests. As an educator, designer, aid worker, project manager, and farmer, he is on the front line of planetary regeneration creating some of the best of Permaculture Designs for large farm projects, residential properties, refugee camps, and eco-villages.

Sam has been working closely with Geoff Lawton, a well-known and respected Permaculture designer, for over five years. Sam has a primary residence at Zaytuna Farm which is the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia, and currently lives at the Greening the Desert Site in Jordan. He has practiced Permaculture as his sole profession for almost a decade while coming from a family of farmers, gardeners, and eco-village builders.

Luca Kerschhackl is Sam's student and has been gaining worldwide experience learning permaculture, in Australia, Portugal, Austria, and Greece.  Luca, at only 20 years of age, Italian born and bred is passionate about bringing this revolutionary design science to Italy.

https://www.zaytunafarm.com/courses-events/

https://www.greeningthedesertproject.org/

https://www.instagram.com/sam.parkerdavies/

https://www.instagram.com/lucakerschhackl/

Carla Brown is a creative reuse artist who had a podcast called Trashmagination, where she produced, recorded, and hosted 125 episodes on how to creatively reuse a huge number of different recycled materials. The podcast is on hiatus, but past episodes are still being accessed, and she is actively continuing to post her own artistic reuse creations on social media.

Her goal for the Trashmagination podcast was to have it be a creative reuse peptalk. She wants to help people who are on a journey to zero waste. Today she continues that journey to make beautiful, useful items.  Her current focus is on creatively reusing t-shirts and turning them into woven rugs and turning upholstery samples into storage containers. 

Carla offers some great advice to other reuse artists on how to approach projects, choose what and how much to collect for reuse, and find time for your art.    

Check out her beautiful creations at:

https://trashmagination.com/

https://www.instagram.com/trashmagination/?hl=en

Keisha & Casey Ernst have been focusing on soil regeneration and habitat restoration as a team since 2011. They have studied under Dr. Elaine Ingham over the past eight years and worked alongside her on many projects. In 2018 Catalyst BioAmendments was founded as an experimental and educational-focused compost lot. The aim was to apply the techniques taught by Dr. Elaine Ingham to compost on a large scale and to improve the processes to ensure the product reliably hosts diverse populations of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes.  

Catalyst successfully created a biological-healthy focused product, and since 2019 Keisha & Casey have been using the compost with their consulting. You can see examples of that success. They aim to raise the quality of food grown by helping farmers increase microbial biomass in their agricultural soils and to help microbe farmers worldwide to improve their composting practices. 

Their main overarching focus is on fostering a community around microbe farming. They are passionate about helping the unseen lives in the soil come into view through microscopic images.

https://www.catalystbioamendments.com/

William DeMille is a lifelong vegetable farmer. William studied for two years of Horticulture and Agronomy at Northwest Missouri University, Maryville. He holds two certificates in aquaponic engineering and production from Cornell University NY, and from GrowHaus Aquaponics, in CO.  He also graduated from Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web School. 

 William is a farm consultant who helped establish several agricultural startups in Missouri, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.  He is currently the Director of Georgic Development for Monticello College in Utah.

 In 2021 he started his own grassroots school at his home in Clover Valley, Nevada teaching soil health and vegetable production, which trains people how to grow food without fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides etc.  Gardening With William DeMille school includes a 3-day Boot Camp class for all ages and for college-aged students; he teaches an advanced 17-week class each summer to train new farmers in vegetable production. William owns and operates a soil testing laboratory and has a YouTube channel about farming. He is growing his Patreon channel, helping people grow food, and holds a weekly free online Q&A on Thursday evenings. 

 William lives with his wife, Vernie Lynn DeMille, in the snow-capped mountains of Northern Nevada. They homeschooled their 4 children, and have one grandchild.  William can be contacted at:

www.georgicrevolution.com

Marla Esser Cloos is the principal of Green Home Coach with 15+ years working with green certified homes and projects and applying the knowledge gained through her accreditations - NAHB Master Certified Green Professional, LEED AP, NAR Green Designee and Wellness Within Your Walls Certified Professional. The groundwork was laid with her BS in Engineering and Public Policy and a Certificate in Energy from Washington University in St. Louis. 

Through Green Home Coach programs and partnerships, she helps people and businesses discover and create better homes to live in or work on for healthier, more comfortable lives.  Marla founded and hosts the Everyday Green Home podcast when she saw a need for more outreach about the benefits and value of green homes and living. Her curated collection of healthier and greener products comes from her years of research and experience with green homes. Find them online in her Everyday Green Home shop.

In addition to serving on the OREC Board, Marla is a member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Sustainability and Green Building Subcommittee, NAHB Healthier Homes and Communities Subcommittee and the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association, as well as an affiliate member of the Edmond Board of Realtors. As a leader in the Professional Women in Building (PWB) of Central OK and Build My Future OKC she helps produce an interactive, hands-on construction career day and Build My Future Online for high school students.  She is also helping to produce "Construct My Future" – a day camp for middle schoolers.  Although she works anywhere through the wonders of technology, she and her husband live in the Oklahoma City area with their dog, Mika. 

Jared and Selena have been married for 27 years and are the parents of nine children and one grandchild. As 3rd generation ranchers, they are managing the operation that Jared’s grandfather and father built in Secret Pass and Clover Valley, Nevada. Jared is a lifelong learner and has not only been using the principles of holistic management, soil regeneration, and biodynamics but is also teaching them to other farmers and ranchers locally and globally.  In addition, Jared has mentored many young people seeking to get a start in agriculture. The Sorensens teach onsite and virtual classes and offer internships on the ranch.

Learn more at Rubymountainfoods.com

Webinar series

https://www.agsteward.fyi/webinar 

Ebook

https://www.agsteward.cc/searching-for-home-finding-grace-ebook

Max Stadnyk is a multifaceted individual with a wealth of diverse experiences and skills. As a Planetary Steward, Leader in Natural Regenerative Building Design, Project Manager, and Master Rammed Earth Builder and Instructor, he has dedicated his career to finding sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for building homes. His upcoming book, "33 Natural Regenerative Design Principles," reflects his passion for promoting the use of natural materials in construction.

After serving in the military and working as a home builder, Max became disillusioned with the widespread use of inferior modern products like OSB, MDF, and laminate flooring, which often failed to meet his standards of quality and durability. This led him to explore alternative building methods, including Rammed Earth, Adobe, Strawbale, Post and Beam Infill, Cob, Stack wall, and Stone. After years of experimentation, he ultimately chose to focus on Rammed Earth due to its widespread acceptance by professionals, code enforcers, and national laws as a mainstream solution that is easy to obtain permission for.

In addition to his work in the building industry, Max has also pursued a variety of other interests and careers, including serving as a sous chef, TV producer, radio host, soldier, hockey referee, Youth Program Director, market gardener, Construction Safety Officer, sword fighter, entrepreneur, and Specialist Branch Opening Consultant. He is a lifelong learner with a passion for constantly expanding his knowledge and skillset.

www.thewarriorrising.com