Board of Directors
Board Chair
Conflict Resolver
Through her work in law, mediation, and restorative justice, Alice has a long history of engagement with community initiatives in the SLV, serving in staff, board, and/or consultant roles with a diverse range of SLV non-profits, as well as in local Court programs. She was first able to lend her background in non-profit development and governance to the SLV Local Foods Coalition at a time when the Board was navigating the start-up of two major projects, the Rio Grande Farm Park and the Valley Roots Food Hub. She has had the honor of seeing these endeavors take root and mature, along with many other important areas of community engagement and work taken on by the Coalition over the years.
Alice loves preparing fresh simple whole foods, especially those that can be sourced locally, with the Three Sisters of corn, beans, and squash being among her favorites.
Along with the Local Foods Coalition, Alice has invested her energies in the development of other non-profit initiatives over the years, including Tu Casa, Center for Restorative Programs, and Alamosa Bicycle Coalition. She also coordinates the Alamosa location of Mennonite Voluntary Service, which has provided full-time high-energy volunteers to the Local Food Coalition and many other area non-profits for many years.
Vice Chair
Bridging World Views
Shirley Atencio has roots in the San Luis Valley that go back several generations. The Trujillo Homestead, a National Historic Monument near the Great Sand Dunes National Park, belonged to her great-grandparents and testifies to the founding contributions of early Hispanic families to farming and ranching in the settlement of the Valley.
At present, Shirley continues to work at the university as an advocate for bridge-building across world views and as Coordinator for the Office of Civic Engagement. She has served on a number of campus and community boards and committees over the years and enjoys being involved in anything that promotes community well-being.
Shirley and her husband raised five sons and now enjoy six grandchildren. The family has operated a small local food market in south Alamosa for twenty years which depends primarily on neighborhood support.
After full-time parenting and volunteering from home while her sons were young, Shirley worked at various jobs including teaching English Language Learners for the local school district, directing the music and liturgical ministries at Sacred Heart Church, and as lay Campus Minister at Adams State University where she has emphasized interfaith cooperation and social justice programming. A most rewarding part of that work has been developing student leadership around Alternative Break Experiences which have exposed students to people and places that have widened their understanding of the world and, in many instances, been life changing.
Shirley’ interests outside of family and work include taking long road trips to almost anywhere, reading biographies, listening to podcasts on interesting and weird subjects, lunch out with a sister or good friend, politics and public policy, and of course, dogs, cats and chickens.
Besides her long and continuing studies in the “University of Life”, Shirley holds a B.A. in Spanish from Adams State College along with various and sundry certifications.
Board Treasurer
Motorcycle Enthusiast
Certified Public Accountant with many years of work in the agricultural and non-profit fields in Ohio. Tim is a new resident of the San Luis Valley excited to be near his beloved son Luke Yoder and family.
Yoder is a motorcycle and outdoor enthusiast as well as a lover of fresh local foods.
Ben Valdez,
Board Member
He cooks for hospital patients
Ben Valdez is a Valley native who graduated from Johnson and Wales in 2013 and worked along the front range and Denver in various hotels and restaurants for 6 years. During this time he held many different roles throughout the hospitality and food industry.
His passion for healthy food and family have brought him back home to contribute to the community he was raised in. Currently he works on his family’s farm helping raise grass-fed lamb and cattle as well as cooking for patients at the Conejos County Hospital.
Moving forward he would like to help educate members of the community on healthy cooking and teach about the benefits of diverse diets. He is also interested in helping farmers connect with local consumers to form bonds within our local area and is excited to serve on the LFC board.
She milks camels!
Owner of Mudita Camel Dairy; a diverse vegetable farm, fiber, and camel dairy in Conejos County.
Meghan contributes to the team and brings thoughtful new ideas to the organization.
Reilley Nystrom, Board Member
Food Tech Maven
Reilley has made a career out of food, working in a variety of roles throughout the grocery industry. Her passion for food began in college when she had the opportunity to study abroad and experienced another culture’s way of eating: slower and more connected to the land than what she was used to. Since then she’s worked in community gardens, an urban farm, packed food for CSA’s, and more. Currently she works on the technology side of food, creating software for grocery clients.
A recent transplant to the valley, Reilley lives in Alamosa with her husband and two children. Her family has roots here and she is enjoying reconnecting to this special place where her great-grandparents and grandmother was born and raised.
She holds a bachelors from Texas A&M University in Environmental Design, and a Masters of Business Administration from CU Denver.
Local Foods Coalition Staff
Administration
Wilderness Guide & Humanitarian
Max grew up in Kansas City and Boulder, and has been playing in the San Luis Valley since he was a kid. With an undergraduate degree from Naropa University and dual graduate degrees from CU-Denver in Public Health and Urban/Regional Planning, he has worked on healthy community design and food system planning in Colorado, and humanitarian response in East Africa and the Middle East. Before all that, he spent years leading wilderness trips across the Rockies and abroad, and working as an EMT in a number of Denver and mountain hospitals.
He is skilled in writing, research methods, teambuilding, risk management, community organizing, bureaucracy navigation, and strategic planning.
Max is an avid cook and fermenter, and can be found hiking, skiing, climbing and mountain biking in the Cochetopa Hills.
Foodie & Dog Mom
Born and raised in Colorado, Meg studied Political Science and Spanish at Southern Oregon University – a path which shaped her interest in agriculture and community organizations. She returned to Colorado to serve an AmeriCorps VISTA term at the Rio Grande Farm Park in 2019 and 2020 and acted as Farm Park Director from late 2023 to mid-2025. Today, Meg supports all of the LFC programs as Development Director. She is a foodie & organizer who sees food systems as a great unifying sector for people from all walks of life, political viewpoints, socioeconomic backgrounds, and parts of the world. Meg likes to spend free time walking her one-eyed dog, identifying wild plants, playing board games, and cooking.
Plays with Zoquete
Fernando was born and raised in the beautiful San Luis Valley. Some of his earliest memories were in his mom’s garden. Fernando saw the care his mom put into her plot next to her house. Fernando would listen and absorb her gardening techniques and, more importantly, her stories. In the fall, he would help his mom and his abuela can the vegetables and berries she grew over the short growing season. Again, Fernando would listen to the stories his mother and grandmother would tell. In the winter months, there was nothing like opening a can of Capulin or strawberry jelly from the garden and spreading it over a warm homemade tortilla. Lessons of growing, creating, cooking, and storytelling would influence Fernando for the rest of his life.
Years later, Fernando would graduate from Alamosa High School and then attend and graduate from the University of Southern California with a B.A in Film Production. While as a TV editor, Fernando worked with Gordon Ramsey in 9 seasons of “Hell’s Kitchen” and three seasons of “Kitchen Nightmares.” He also enjoyed working with the late Anthony Bourdain on “The Taste,” and BBQ champion Myron Mixon on “BBQ PitMasters.” Moreover, He carried the culture of the San Luis Valley throughout his professional career, where Fernando worked as a video editor for Univision, Telemundo, Mun2, RCN, and many other Latino networks, including a documentary with Dolores Huerta, an icon in the Labor and Chicano movement. Culture and food have always been and will always be at the forefront of Fernando’s mind and soul.
Not Pictured:
Chris Padilla
Justin Prieto
Rio Grande Farm Park
Farm Manager
El Jefe de Verduras
Jesus is from Charcas, S.L.P. Mexico. He grew up in a farming family in Mexico, and he is the third of twelve: eight brothers and three sisters. Early in his life, Jesus learned the importance of healthy and locally grown foods and hard work. His father had a 2-acre garden where he grew many things, like beans, beets, squash, fava beans, cilantro, broccoli, jalapeño, chili de marrones, carrots, and cauliflower. His father began teaching Jesus and his brother about agriculture at an early age. Jesus brings a great love and knowledge of agriculture to the farm park. He is skilled in vegetable production, irrigation, soil health and caring for bees.
As the RGFP Manager, Jesus applies his extensive farming and agriculture knowledge as well as his other professional experience in business administration, community support, education, and advocacy. Jesus is very passionate about farming. He says, “Where there is a lot of water, there is a lot of life.” Jesus enjoys conversing with people, hearing their stories, teaching what he has learned along the way, and sharing experiences and risks.
Director of Operations
Steward of Soil & Community
| Dan has lived in the San Luis Valley and Almaosa for over 10 years. He has over 30 years of experience in natural resource management, agriculture, soil and water conservation, and teaching experience with youth and adults. He has lived in Texas, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, California, Indiana, and Colorado. He has worked in various county, state, and Federal government positions along with teaching in private and public schools in California and Colorado. Dan is excited to have an opportunity to implement regenerative agriculture practices and use his experience as the Director of the Rio Grande Farm Park. |
Guardian of the Grounds
Elizabeth grew up in the San Luis Valley, where a deep connection to agriculture and the land shaped her early years. As the Groundskeeper and Facilities Manager at the Rio Grande Farm Park, she blends hands-on care for the grounds with behind-the-scenes support for community events and programs. From managing facility rentals to keeping the park vibrant and welcoming year-round, she ensures the Farm Park remains a space where people and plants thrive. When not working, Elizabeth enjoys running, sketching, working with animals, and helping others grow through agricultural education.
Oona King, Education Coordinator
Oona the Explorer
Oona, originally from Massachusetts, ventured to Alamosa sight-unseen to attend Adams State University. After graduating in 2018, she lived in places including Austin, Estes Park, and Durango, engaging in informal education and nonprofit spheres. All the while, she was feeling a pull back to the SLV. Oona is excited to have her journey circle back to Alamosa and to merge her passions for local systems, knowledge sharing, and outdoor exploration as Education Coordinator at the Farm Park.
Rio Grande Farm Park Facilities Manager
Kristine is the fun, passionate person you’ll find keeping the Farm Park facilities in tip top shape.
Madison the Valley Learner
Madison is a full time volunteer at the Rio Grande Farm Park. She recently graduated from Eastern Mennonite University with a BS in Environmental Science and Biology. Living in Virginia for her whole life she decided it was time for a change and headed to Alamosa. She is excited to help out around the Farm Park and to learn more about the community and agriculture within the valley.
Local Foods Local Places /
Community Food & Agricultural Assessment & Action Plan
Jae Sanders,
Program Director
Eco-Groovy Seed Fairy
Whoever controls the food controls the people. I want to keep farming and ranching in the hands of people I know. I also think one of the most radical acts we can perform these days is growing our own food and being self sufficient. So inspiring, encouraging and enabling those around me to grow food is important to me.
Iava Williams,
Outreach Coordinator
A Valley Purist
Iava was born and raised in the San Luis Valley and graduated from Trinidad State College in 2022 with a General Studies degree, focussed primarily on leadership, health and wellness, and communications. She is pursuing a second B.A. degree at Adams State University in the field Sport Psychology and set to graduate in May of 2024. Iava is incredibly passionate about the environment, healthy eating, cultural access, and opportunities to create an equitable and diverse community where these values are upheld. She loves to be active in the community and help out wherever she can.
Valley Roots Food Hub
General Manager
Pasture Pioneer
“Nurturing soil health, tending to animals, and ensuring the well-being of our ecosystems is my daily bread,” said Nick Perchess. “My mission is to create exemplary models for future farming practices, drawing from the wisdom of past generations, and kindling the flame of excitement for the next seven generations.”
Perchess has experience with diverse facets of agriculture, from a multi species pasture-raised and finished meat business with on-site processing facility, to the cultivation of stone fruit from her 300 tart cherry trees. Her farm, which operates through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model for now 10 years, also produces honey, heirloom hot house tomatoes, and storage hardneck garlic. Nola Naturals is also home to Pastures of Liberty, a dairy operation that sustains more than 100 families across four southern Colorado counties and Arkansas River Basin.
Perchess has been involved in organizations such as the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and is a board member of many organizations not limited to Pueblo County Stockmen’s Assoc and is Vice President of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.
Markets Manager
Mycelium Architect
Al grew up in Marietta, GA. Upon graduating from Georgia Tech in 2015 with a B.S. in Science, Technology, and Culture, she took a one-way train ride on the Amtrak to Eugene, OR to seek adventure. There she did work-trade through World Wide Opportunities for Organic Farming on a small homestead for 5 months. She quickly fell in love with the healing properties of being connected to the land, good nutritious food, the town, and ended up being all consumed by the vast and supportive local food system Eugene has to offer. She worked at a small family-run cafe, volunteered with Farm to School initiatives and School Garden Project.
Wanting more, her life took a small detour and she ended up in the San Luis Valley volunteering with Alpine Achievers Initiative for 2 years, primarily helping run an after school program in Crestone as well as bringing garden education to the South Conejos School District and Boys and Girls Club of the San Luis Valley. Post-AmeriCorps, Al worked a seasonal position with the Valley Educational Gardens Initiative (VEGI), a program of La Puente before finding herself at the Valley Roots Food Hub as the Markets Manager.
Al is passionate about regenerative agriculture, reconnecting others to the food they eat, and nutrition access for all. In her free time, she loves hiking with her sidekick pup Elio, practicing yoga, sewing, reading, sharing her poems at Open Mic Nights and of course cooking in the kitchen.
Operations Manager
Pallet Jack Cowboy
Ryan Davis grew up in Atlanta, Georgia with baseball, Boy Scouts, and punk rock. His parents grew up on farms and he was always indirectly around their horses and cattle. Ryan has been around food and restaurants since he was 16. He worked with many different chefs and restaurants, and those experiences taught him how to recognize quality foods through taste and appearance. Ryan came out West to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains first as a teenager, and then returned to Crestone in San Luis Valley for meditation retreats. He then eventually moved to Crestone to experience the various Buddhist retreat centers. Ryan is now about to graduate from a traditional Tibetan medicine program which focuses on the interrelationships between plants, food, medicine, and the elemental processes of the seasons.
Colorado Springs Driver
Wagz, Grazing Guru
Food Hub Chef & Driver
A Sweet Tooth Lady
I am a born and raised local with a passion for baking. Will always try to get a smile on your face, whether it be with silly jokes or with my yummy baked goods. I’m a sweet tooth in a lady!
Mike Prater, Denver Driver
Off-Grid Outdoorsman
Mike moved to Colorado in 2011 seeking off grid living and elbow room on 40 acres in Capulin, by way of Texas and California. He spent most of his years in Texas, San Antonio and Brownsville, enjoying the outdoors hunting(wild boar), fishing and camping. He studied biology at The Ohio State University and The University of Texas at San Antonio. He’s worked in many customer service fields including food and wholeheartedly supports the sacred mission of Valley Roots and comes to us with professional driving expertise by way of UPS. When he’s not working his pleasures come from relaxing with his loved ones or filling the freezer by hunting or fishing. He also gets great pleasure from music and owns a record label, TuTu Sweet Records.
Not pictured:
Kai Duby