RMFU Fellows come from all background and all walks of life, but they all have one thing in common: A passion for agricultural prosperity and food security. Farmers, ranchers, cooperative leaders, local food and urban food advocates, and entrepreneurs join together to spend a year learning how to advocate for healthy food systems and vibrant communities.
Director Of Operations at Ogallala Commons
Berlin Arellano, a native of El Paso, Texas, grew up surrounded by the vibrancy of her hometown, where she nurtured a profound passion for caregiving and an enduring interest in healthcare. In 2019, her journey took her to Tucumcari, New Mexico, where she embarked on a transformative experience through the Beginning Farmers Program. This pivotal chapter ignited her commitment to cultivating food, enhancing soil health, and uplifting rural communities—guided by the ethos that “Food is Medicine.”
Farm to Institution Agriculture and Data Coordinator at Nourish Colorado
Bradley Barrow is a dedicated food systems expert based in Salida, Colorado, originally from Austin, Texas. Food has always been at the heart of her journey. Growing up, her grandfather owned and operated a chain of restaurants, and she spent time helping him on his small farm weekly. This early exposure to food production laid the foundation for a lifelong passion. During her college years, particularly while living abroad, her understanding of food’s unifying power across cultures deepened. It became clear to her that food was not just sustenance, but a universal connector of communities and cultures.
Distinguished Marine Corps Veteran, Environmental Engineer, and Agricultural Advocate
Yolanda Benally is a distinguished Marine Corps veteran, environmental engineer, and agricultural advocate with a lifelong dedication to land stewardship, sustainability, and Indigenous empowerment. Born on the Navajo reservation and raised on a working farm, Yolanda developed a profound respect for the land at an early age. Under the guidance of her father, she learned to operate farm machinery and manage traditional agricultural practices — skills that would later become a foundation for her career in environmental science and sustainable farming.
Colorado Land Link Director at Guidestone Colorado
Emma Lietz Bilecky is the Colorado Land Link Director at Guidestone Colorado, where she leads statewide efforts to increase equitable access to agricultural land for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. With a deep commitment to land justice and sustainable food systems, Emma’s work is shaped by a unique blend of academic rigor, grassroots experience, and cross-sector collaboration.
Manager of Rio Grande Farm Park in Alamosa, Colorado
Jesús Flores is a seasoned agricultural leader and advocate for sustainable farming and community empowerment. Originally from a rural community in the municipality of Charcas, San Luis Potosí, Mexico, Jesús developed a deep-rooted connection to the land at an early age. Taught by his father to plant and cultivate organic food—both irrigated and rain-fed—by the time he was three years old, Jesús’s foundation in agriculture was grounded in tradition, resilience, and a profound respect for nature.
Production Manager for the Farmer in Training Program at the Old Fort in Hesperus
Duke Jackson is a dedicated farmer, educator, and land steward whose journey in agriculture began in 2014 and has grown into a career rooted in sustainability, community, and environmental justice. Raised in Taos, New Mexico, Duke moved to Durango, Colorado in 2012 to attend Fort Lewis College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. It was during his time at Fort Lewis—while volunteering in the campus vegetable garden and orchard—that Duke discovered a profound passion for food systems and farming.
Co-Founder of Savoir
Lehanna Jones is a devoted wife, mother of two spirited toddlers, and co-founder of Savoir—a family-led agricultural initiative grounded in resilience, restoration, and reconnection. With a professional background in stock transfer agencies and commercial real estate, Lehanna’s path eventually led her back to her truest callings: counseling and cultivation. For her, agriculture is more than just a livelihood; it is a deeply personal journey of healing, remembrance, and regeneration.
Rivendell Farms, Inc.
Jared Kerst is a fifth generation Colorado agrarian who is passionate about regenerative livestock systems and fascinated by planet earth. After receiving a B.S. in Business Management from CU Boulder he began his agriculture career in 1999 as office manager of Rivendell Sod Farm located in the Roaring Fork Valley between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale. He assumed general management of the farm in 2001 and split his focus between bluegrass sod production and building a horticultural supply business, Rivendell Distribution & Sod Farm, Inc. By 2007 the operation sold over 3 million ft2 of bluegrass sod annually and employed twenty-two people, generating over $2.7 million in sales.
Seasoned HVAC Professional
Dondre Merriweather is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the HVAC industry, where he has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality service and innovative solutions tailored to homeowners and clients. With a strong technical foundation and a commitment to customer care, he has built a successful career grounded in precision, reliability, and trust.
Soil Health Services, PBC in Alamosa, CO
Patrick O’Neill is an independent soil scientist and agronomist based in Alamosa, Colorado, where he leads Soil Health Services, PBC. With a career spanning over two decades, Patrick supports farmers across southern and western Colorado and northern New Mexico, using a holistic, systems-based approach to build and sustain soil health. His work centers on empowering family farmers with practical tools and knowledge to steward their land and strengthen their communities.
Owner and Manager of BeeSezi Navajo Corn Products Company
Tracy Raymond is a lifelong farmer, rancher, and agricultural advocate from rural San Juan County, New Mexico. A member of the Navajo Nation, Tracy currently serves as a Project Manager focused on improving farmlands and irrigation systems for Indigenous farmers along the San Juan River on the Navajo Reservation. His work is driven by a deep passion for preserving Navajo agricultural traditions and expanding access to culturally significant foods within and beyond his community.
Founder and Principal Consultant of Agrarian Policy Center, LLC
Ivy Jean Reynolds is the founder and principal consultant of Agrarian Policy Center, LLC, a boutique public policy consultancy dedicated to crafting practical, forward-thinking solutions in the agricultural and natural resource sectors. With a unique blend of policy expertise, rural sensibility, and a results-oriented mindset, Ivy has built a reputation for her ability to bridge the gap between government policy and on-the-ground realities.
Markets Manager for the Valley Roots Food Hub
Allyson “Al” Stone (she/her) has been Markets Manager for the Valley Roots Food Hub in Mosca, CO, for the past 5 years, working in the local food aggregation and distribution space, assisting with logistics, sales, & marketing. Just as mycelia are an underground web of connection, as Markets Manager at Valley Roots, she enjoys the relationships cultivated between our producer and customer network. Through Valley Roots, customers can receive upwards of 100+ producers all on one invoice, and producers can focus on what they do best while our team takes on transportation and logistics.
Sustainable Agriculture Planner for Boulder County,
Sabrina Torres is a passionate agricultural advocate and sustainability strategist whose work bridges policy, community resilience, and ecological stewardship. She currently serves as the Sustainable Agriculture Planner for Boulder County, where she leads the development and implementation of policies and programs that support local farmers and promote regenerative, climate-resilient agricultural practices across unincorporated areas of the county.
