The Farmers
Candice (on left) with her mother Lori.
Candice Kearns Orlando: Farmer/Executive Director
Candice moved to Colorado when she was eight and has lived on and off here for the last 22 years. She has a long history of farming lineage but decided to take it to a new level when she began researching peak oil and climate change. If you asked her 10 years ago what she would be doing now she would have never imagined she would be an urban farmer. She wouldn't think about eating anything that came out of the ground-she was a processed food kind of girl. But something changed when she took a horticulture class and began studying permaculture. She fell in love with soil, the land and growing her own food. Her passion also comes from her own economic struggles and bearing witness to the harshness of not being able to afford healthy food for your family. She has a degree in Environmental Studies from Naropa University in which she attributes finding her life path as an urban farmer. Urbiculture Community Farms combines Candice's love and work of environmental and social activism, community building, organizing, teaching, and most of all planting seeds and watching them grow.
Candice moved to Colorado when she was eight and has lived on and off here for the last 22 years. She has a long history of farming lineage but decided to take it to a new level when she began researching peak oil and climate change. If you asked her 10 years ago what she would be doing now she would have never imagined she would be an urban farmer. She wouldn't think about eating anything that came out of the ground-she was a processed food kind of girl. But something changed when she took a horticulture class and began studying permaculture. She fell in love with soil, the land and growing her own food. Her passion also comes from her own economic struggles and bearing witness to the harshness of not being able to afford healthy food for your family. She has a degree in Environmental Studies from Naropa University in which she attributes finding her life path as an urban farmer. Urbiculture Community Farms combines Candice's love and work of environmental and social activism, community building, organizing, teaching, and most of all planting seeds and watching them grow.
Jonathan Orlando: Co-Founder and Board Secretary
When Jon was 14 he started his own business doing landscaping and odd jobs. One of his fist customers was a couple in their 90’s named Mr. and Mrs. Moore. The Moore’s had what has come to be called an urban farm. This was long before words like Peak Oil, Sustainability and CSA’s were household words. They farmed simply because they enjoyed it, it made them smile and they knew it was the right thing to do. Not always the easiest thing to do, but the right thing. Their enthusiasm for having dirt under their finger nails and fresh food in their bellies ingrained itself in Jon and three years ago it finally began to re-emerge. After spending more than 10 years doing everything from working in the salmon industry in Alaska, to picking apples in Washington, volunteering as an organizer and activist in Arizona on public lands and social justice issues, to running his own successful painting business in Arizona and Colorado, Jon has settled into his life as a socially conscious photographer and farmer. He sees farming as the perfect balance between the mental and the physical. Between the tasks that keep you in your head and the tasks that keep you rooted in your heart, your hands, your feet, and the soil beneath it all. He’s excited by the potential that urban farming has to grow stronger, more vibrant and equitable communities. When not farming or photographing he enjoys spending time with his wife and other family and friends, long walks, yoga, meditation, and working to actively resist social structures that damage our planet and it’s inhabitants, and at the same time recreate systems that support life. He also loves bikes and is continuously amazed by how cool they really are and how little credit they ask for in return.
When Jon was 14 he started his own business doing landscaping and odd jobs. One of his fist customers was a couple in their 90’s named Mr. and Mrs. Moore. The Moore’s had what has come to be called an urban farm. This was long before words like Peak Oil, Sustainability and CSA’s were household words. They farmed simply because they enjoyed it, it made them smile and they knew it was the right thing to do. Not always the easiest thing to do, but the right thing. Their enthusiasm for having dirt under their finger nails and fresh food in their bellies ingrained itself in Jon and three years ago it finally began to re-emerge. After spending more than 10 years doing everything from working in the salmon industry in Alaska, to picking apples in Washington, volunteering as an organizer and activist in Arizona on public lands and social justice issues, to running his own successful painting business in Arizona and Colorado, Jon has settled into his life as a socially conscious photographer and farmer. He sees farming as the perfect balance between the mental and the physical. Between the tasks that keep you in your head and the tasks that keep you rooted in your heart, your hands, your feet, and the soil beneath it all. He’s excited by the potential that urban farming has to grow stronger, more vibrant and equitable communities. When not farming or photographing he enjoys spending time with his wife and other family and friends, long walks, yoga, meditation, and working to actively resist social structures that damage our planet and it’s inhabitants, and at the same time recreate systems that support life. He also loves bikes and is continuously amazed by how cool they really are and how little credit they ask for in return.
Lori Joyce: Rock Star Volunteer
Lori Joyce was born and raised on a farm in Utah and a descendant of many generations of farmers from Sweden and Scotland. Although Ms. Joyce left the farm at an early age, her Father remained and so she could always call the farm her home and to this day that is where her roots remain. She is grateful and humbled to be a part of UrbiCulture Community Farms and proud to see her daughter Candice carry on the family tradition by bringing the farm to the city. It is also part of her own individual, personal transformation in regards to caring for the earth, to be involved with this project.
Lori Joyce was born and raised on a farm in Utah and a descendant of many generations of farmers from Sweden and Scotland. Although Ms. Joyce left the farm at an early age, her Father remained and so she could always call the farm her home and to this day that is where her roots remain. She is grateful and humbled to be a part of UrbiCulture Community Farms and proud to see her daughter Candice carry on the family tradition by bringing the farm to the city. It is also part of her own individual, personal transformation in regards to caring for the earth, to be involved with this project.
Tadashi Staff and Julia Tulk:2012 Interns
Julia and Tadashi are both Denver natives. Julia home schools her wonderful son Alex and will be an intern this 2012 season with UrbiCulture. Tadashi takes care of his beautiful daughter Chelsea and will also be an intern this 2012 season with UrbiCulture. They feel blessed to be a part of the change they want to see in our communities through UrbiCulture by growing the food we eat, educating themselves and others about sustainability, and becoming unified with like minded people changing the world one garden at a time.
Julia and Tadashi are both Denver natives. Julia home schools her wonderful son Alex and will be an intern this 2012 season with UrbiCulture. Tadashi takes care of his beautiful daughter Chelsea and will also be an intern this 2012 season with UrbiCulture. They feel blessed to be a part of the change they want to see in our communities through UrbiCulture by growing the food we eat, educating themselves and others about sustainability, and becoming unified with like minded people changing the world one garden at a time.
Maggie Rice
A Denver native, she studied and taught in Baltimore, Washington, Chicago, Lugano, Switzerland and Dubrovnik and Zagreb, Yugoslavia (now Croatia). Formerly a nationally successful small business owner (Road Runner Road Service) and the second woman in Colorado to become a Certified Working Chef, as Executive Chef of the Cactus Club. She is building a Permaculture Institute on 1.5 acres 10 minutes from downtown Denver.
A Denver native, she studied and taught in Baltimore, Washington, Chicago, Lugano, Switzerland and Dubrovnik and Zagreb, Yugoslavia (now Croatia). Formerly a nationally successful small business owner (Road Runner Road Service) and the second woman in Colorado to become a Certified Working Chef, as Executive Chef of the Cactus Club. She is building a Permaculture Institute on 1.5 acres 10 minutes from downtown Denver.
Heather Gullen: Garden Guardian Coordinator and Garden Designer
Heather's roots go back to the east coast but has spent most of the last fourteen years living in Colorado. She graduated from CSU with a degree in Rec & Tourism and then got her hands dirty working with youth as an environmental educator on both coasts before landing back in Colorado. She enjoys her current work for a local non-profit helping other nonprofits reduce their energy bills but her passion remains in being outdoors and close to nature. She is enthusiastic about getting her hands in the earth once again and seeing new seeds come to life this coming spring!
Heather's roots go back to the east coast but has spent most of the last fourteen years living in Colorado. She graduated from CSU with a degree in Rec & Tourism and then got her hands dirty working with youth as an environmental educator on both coasts before landing back in Colorado. She enjoys her current work for a local non-profit helping other nonprofits reduce their energy bills but her passion remains in being outdoors and close to nature. She is enthusiastic about getting her hands in the earth once again and seeing new seeds come to life this coming spring!
Christina Berry: Garden Guardian
I was born in California, but spent most of my life in Arizona. I always had an interest in cooking and took culinary classes in high school. When I graduated in 2006, I came up to Denver to go to Johnson & Wales University and majored in Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management. While in school, I watched a documentary called "The Future of Food" and was shocked to discover some of the truths behind our current food system. I started doing more research about topics like school lunches, GMOs, Monsanto, and the things that people were doing to try and make our food better. I decided that I was going to, in some way, help provide people with better food options and that's where Urbiculture came in.
In my free time, I also like to play guitar, bicycle, golf, snowboard, wakeboard, listen to music, dabble in photography, and cook.
I was born in California, but spent most of my life in Arizona. I always had an interest in cooking and took culinary classes in high school. When I graduated in 2006, I came up to Denver to go to Johnson & Wales University and majored in Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management. While in school, I watched a documentary called "The Future of Food" and was shocked to discover some of the truths behind our current food system. I started doing more research about topics like school lunches, GMOs, Monsanto, and the things that people were doing to try and make our food better. I decided that I was going to, in some way, help provide people with better food options and that's where Urbiculture came in.
In my free time, I also like to play guitar, bicycle, golf, snowboard, wakeboard, listen to music, dabble in photography, and cook.
Abbey Vannoy:Garden Guardian
As a Colorado native and avid traveler, Abbey tastes and grows food with an affinity for culture and history. Even though raised in a rural farming town, she did not fall in love with food until attending the initial Slow Food Festival in Turin, Italy – Il Salone del Gusto. She glimpsed the intricate web of relationships built through food, farming, health and the environment. While studying in Kenya, serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Swaziland and working with entrepreneurs in South Africa, Abbey dove into the culture through food and gardening. She helped her Swazi host family farm grains, legumes and vegetables; shadowed tea and coffee growers in Meru, Kenya; and learned the ins and outs of the fruit trade across Africa. Throughout these experiences, Abbey learned to appreciate and engage in community building – through food, natural resources and the diversity of our relationships.
As a Colorado native and avid traveler, Abbey tastes and grows food with an affinity for culture and history. Even though raised in a rural farming town, she did not fall in love with food until attending the initial Slow Food Festival in Turin, Italy – Il Salone del Gusto. She glimpsed the intricate web of relationships built through food, farming, health and the environment. While studying in Kenya, serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Swaziland and working with entrepreneurs in South Africa, Abbey dove into the culture through food and gardening. She helped her Swazi host family farm grains, legumes and vegetables; shadowed tea and coffee growers in Meru, Kenya; and learned the ins and outs of the fruit trade across Africa. Throughout these experiences, Abbey learned to appreciate and engage in community building – through food, natural resources and the diversity of our relationships.
Stacey Aldrich: Garden Guardian
Stacey works full-time as a writer/editor, specializing in pharmaceuticals news. She loves all things science, particularly biology, which was her major when she went to UC-Boulder to earn her undergrad degree. The only thing Stacey loves more than cooking is eating good food! Her other interests include yoga, traveling and meeting new people. Stacey is completely new to gardening. She hopes to own her own house with a garden one day, so she is excited to learn everything about gardening that she can.
Stacey works full-time as a writer/editor, specializing in pharmaceuticals news. She loves all things science, particularly biology, which was her major when she went to UC-Boulder to earn her undergrad degree. The only thing Stacey loves more than cooking is eating good food! Her other interests include yoga, traveling and meeting new people. Stacey is completely new to gardening. She hopes to own her own house with a garden one day, so she is excited to learn everything about gardening that she can.
NickBenvenuto: Garden Guardian
Too many cloudy and rainy days brought me from my native Philadelphia, PA to sunny Denver, CO. Cooking with is one of my passions in life, especially with local ingredients, and being somewhat new to gardening (minus some brief experiences at home with my own personal garden), I can’t wait to learn everything I can and someday have a huge garden of my own. Studying Agribusiness at Penn State really sparked my interest in where our food is coming from and how it is being produced and shipped. After spending my first summer in Denver working for a food truck where our mission was using local ingredients, I decided I wanted to get involved and help in some way to promote local food and produce. I love to travel and visit local food markets when I do. My hobbies include running, reading, winemaking, cooking, skiing, playing golf, and travel!
Too many cloudy and rainy days brought me from my native Philadelphia, PA to sunny Denver, CO. Cooking with is one of my passions in life, especially with local ingredients, and being somewhat new to gardening (minus some brief experiences at home with my own personal garden), I can’t wait to learn everything I can and someday have a huge garden of my own. Studying Agribusiness at Penn State really sparked my interest in where our food is coming from and how it is being produced and shipped. After spending my first summer in Denver working for a food truck where our mission was using local ingredients, I decided I wanted to get involved and help in some way to promote local food and produce. I love to travel and visit local food markets when I do. My hobbies include running, reading, winemaking, cooking, skiing, playing golf, and travel!
Kassia Koukari: Garden Guardian
Kassia lived in Wisconsin most of her life and after graduating from UW-Madison with a Masters in Spanish and Communications she move to Denver to escape the harsh winters and explore the mountains. Between training for a marathon, biking around Denver, and managing a local community coffee shop, she loves to cook, compete with her Dad over the production of their tomato plants, and make home-made sauerkraut (she's excited to try making pickles and dilly beans too this summer!). Kassia is excited to be a work share volunteer with Urbiculture Community Farms and have a chance to help them bring fresh food to people in Denver and play in some dirt!
Kassia lived in Wisconsin most of her life and after graduating from UW-Madison with a Masters in Spanish and Communications she move to Denver to escape the harsh winters and explore the mountains. Between training for a marathon, biking around Denver, and managing a local community coffee shop, she loves to cook, compete with her Dad over the production of their tomato plants, and make home-made sauerkraut (she's excited to try making pickles and dilly beans too this summer!). Kassia is excited to be a work share volunteer with Urbiculture Community Farms and have a chance to help them bring fresh food to people in Denver and play in some dirt!
Jennie Goldfarb: Garden Guardian
Jennie is from New York City and moved to Denver in September. She loves to be outdoors, grow food, and cook. While in college she worked with her professor in maintaining The Edible Peace Patch Project (http://www.peacepatch.org/), where she worked with elementary school students in maintaining a garden. After college, Jennie explored farming rurally in Montana. She continues to follow her farming passions through more urban farming initiatives and working on getting gardens and fresh produce to a diverse range of economic backgrounds. Jennie currently is working on OURS, a plant-based food project that intends to teach people how to grow, grocery shop, eat, and cook healthy, organic, and delicious food for cheap. She is very excited to work with UrbiCulture and can't wait to meet all of the wonderful members.
Jennie is from New York City and moved to Denver in September. She loves to be outdoors, grow food, and cook. While in college she worked with her professor in maintaining The Edible Peace Patch Project (http://www.peacepatch.org/), where she worked with elementary school students in maintaining a garden. After college, Jennie explored farming rurally in Montana. She continues to follow her farming passions through more urban farming initiatives and working on getting gardens and fresh produce to a diverse range of economic backgrounds. Jennie currently is working on OURS, a plant-based food project that intends to teach people how to grow, grocery shop, eat, and cook healthy, organic, and delicious food for cheap. She is very excited to work with UrbiCulture and can't wait to meet all of the wonderful members.
Stephanie Meehan: Garden Guardian
Stephanie was born and raised on the coast of southern California. Growing up near the ocean, she developed a deep appreciation for the natural world. As she began spending more time in Los Angeles while working in the fashion industry, she started to feel very disconnected from nature and realized she was not where she belonged. After learning about peak oil, she made the decision to ditch her car and catch a ride with her sister to Denver, a place where she had never been, knew no one, and felt the challenge of starting a new lifestyle would be good for her- and it was. Stephanie is now pursuing an education in permaculture design with the intent of co-creating an alternative to our current way of living. As she learns about these concepts, she sees potential for positive transformation everywhere. This is especially true of a dirt lot near her home which she has been visualizing as a garden and community gathering space. When she heard about the UrbiCulture movement, she contacted Candice to share this idea and is very excited about working with such amazing people to bring it to fruition and make a positive contribution to her community.
Stephanie was born and raised on the coast of southern California. Growing up near the ocean, she developed a deep appreciation for the natural world. As she began spending more time in Los Angeles while working in the fashion industry, she started to feel very disconnected from nature and realized she was not where she belonged. After learning about peak oil, she made the decision to ditch her car and catch a ride with her sister to Denver, a place where she had never been, knew no one, and felt the challenge of starting a new lifestyle would be good for her- and it was. Stephanie is now pursuing an education in permaculture design with the intent of co-creating an alternative to our current way of living. As she learns about these concepts, she sees potential for positive transformation everywhere. This is especially true of a dirt lot near her home which she has been visualizing as a garden and community gathering space. When she heard about the UrbiCulture movement, she contacted Candice to share this idea and is very excited about working with such amazing people to bring it to fruition and make a positive contribution to her community.
Alexandra Fracchia: 2012 WWOOFer
My name is Alexandra, I just turned twenty and I'm excited to see and experience the wonderful world we live in! I grew up in a small town in upstate N.Y., in a family of seven. I've always enjoyed art and I currently rent temporary studio space in an old t-shirt factory in town. I make and sell stone jewelry, recycled headbands, and whatever else I think up! I have worked in restaurants for 5 years, went on an outward bound backpacking trip for a month in Texas, I have lots of experience with jewelry making, I grew a garden for several years at home, I also have a lot of experience with the outdoors, I live in the heart of the Adirondack mountains (Kayaking, biking, skiing, Nordic skiing, camping, etc.). I currently wait on tables at a locally owned cafè and bakehouse and have learned and become very interested in organic farming and permaculture since I started the job. I love working and doing. It keeps me happy. :) I began looking into taking classes on organic farming, but a sister of mine suggested this program, and it sounded fantastic so, here I am!
My name is Alexandra, I just turned twenty and I'm excited to see and experience the wonderful world we live in! I grew up in a small town in upstate N.Y., in a family of seven. I've always enjoyed art and I currently rent temporary studio space in an old t-shirt factory in town. I make and sell stone jewelry, recycled headbands, and whatever else I think up! I have worked in restaurants for 5 years, went on an outward bound backpacking trip for a month in Texas, I have lots of experience with jewelry making, I grew a garden for several years at home, I also have a lot of experience with the outdoors, I live in the heart of the Adirondack mountains (Kayaking, biking, skiing, Nordic skiing, camping, etc.). I currently wait on tables at a locally owned cafè and bakehouse and have learned and become very interested in organic farming and permaculture since I started the job. I love working and doing. It keeps me happy. :) I began looking into taking classes on organic farming, but a sister of mine suggested this program, and it sounded fantastic so, here I am!
UrbiCulture Community Farms Board of Directors
Andrea West: Board President
Andrea West is our Board President and one of our Yard Angels. Her day job is as the Development Director for Center for Native Ecosystems, a wildlife conservation group based in Denver. Andrea has an Environmental Studies degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, with an emphasis on water resource management. Her non-profit background includes working as the grants manager at the Global Greengrants Fund in Boulder, doing exercise therapy at the Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Project in Boulder, and teaching adaptive skiing in Jackson, WY, and at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park. Andrea spent ten summers guiding river trips in Colorado, Idaho, and Costa Rica and takes any chance she can get to be back on the river!
Andrea West is our Board President and one of our Yard Angels. Her day job is as the Development Director for Center for Native Ecosystems, a wildlife conservation group based in Denver. Andrea has an Environmental Studies degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, with an emphasis on water resource management. Her non-profit background includes working as the grants manager at the Global Greengrants Fund in Boulder, doing exercise therapy at the Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Project in Boulder, and teaching adaptive skiing in Jackson, WY, and at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park. Andrea spent ten summers guiding river trips in Colorado, Idaho, and Costa Rica and takes any chance she can get to be back on the river!
Amy Schmaltz: Board Member
Amy Schmaltz is a Board Member. Her day job is as a Transportation Planner for the Development Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Amy has a Master in Urban and Regional Planning and a Certificate in Sustainable Urban Infrastructure from University of Colorado Denver, both of which emphasized health and the built environment. Her previous work experience includes long-range local government planning for the City of Thornton and municipal scale greenhouse gas inventories for the Center for Sustainable Urban Infrastructure. Amy is interested in planning sustainable food systems, exploring food justice issues, and advocating for multi-modal transportation. In her free time, Amy gardens, cooks with fresh and local produce, bakes (recently mastered mile-high baking!), knits (go local yarns!), and practices yoga. You can see her around town riding her bike.
Amy Schmaltz is a Board Member. Her day job is as a Transportation Planner for the Development Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Amy has a Master in Urban and Regional Planning and a Certificate in Sustainable Urban Infrastructure from University of Colorado Denver, both of which emphasized health and the built environment. Her previous work experience includes long-range local government planning for the City of Thornton and municipal scale greenhouse gas inventories for the Center for Sustainable Urban Infrastructure. Amy is interested in planning sustainable food systems, exploring food justice issues, and advocating for multi-modal transportation. In her free time, Amy gardens, cooks with fresh and local produce, bakes (recently mastered mile-high baking!), knits (go local yarns!), and practices yoga. You can see her around town riding her bike.
Cathy Schuberth: Board Vice President
Cathy Schuberth is our Board Vice President and one of our CSA members. She is the owner of Green with Envy Interior Decorating, LLC, an eco-friendly interior design firm. Cathy has a degree in Psychology from St. Louis University and a Master of Social Work, with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and Community Development, from Washington University in St. Louis. Her nonprofit experience includes working with individuals on Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF); individuals with developmental and physical disabilities; teenagers living in foster care; individuals living with AIDS/HIV; individuals with mental health struggles; individuals who are homeless; victims of domestic violence; and on local, national and global social, economic and political public policies; on local and state-wide quality enhancement projects and evaluations; and on nonprofit startups including board, program, fundraising, staff and volunteer; and strategic planning development. Educating people about the personal and global benefits of living “green” is the reason that she started her eco-friendly interior design business and why she is so passionate about accessibility to community-grown organic food.
Cathy Schuberth is our Board Vice President and one of our CSA members. She is the owner of Green with Envy Interior Decorating, LLC, an eco-friendly interior design firm. Cathy has a degree in Psychology from St. Louis University and a Master of Social Work, with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and Community Development, from Washington University in St. Louis. Her nonprofit experience includes working with individuals on Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF); individuals with developmental and physical disabilities; teenagers living in foster care; individuals living with AIDS/HIV; individuals with mental health struggles; individuals who are homeless; victims of domestic violence; and on local, national and global social, economic and political public policies; on local and state-wide quality enhancement projects and evaluations; and on nonprofit startups including board, program, fundraising, staff and volunteer; and strategic planning development. Educating people about the personal and global benefits of living “green” is the reason that she started her eco-friendly interior design business and why she is so passionate about accessibility to community-grown organic food.
Irene Glazer: Board Member
I love food. I love to feed people w/good food.
I love food. I love to feed people w/good food.
Travis Keeley: Board Treasurer
Travis is a Colorado native and a Commercial Real Estate Appraiser. His professional background includes accounting, development and construction management. Previously, Travis was a Board Director for a local for-profit, employee-owned, manufacturing company. Travis is a graduate of the University of Colorado (BA ’95), (MBA ’01). In his free time, he enjoys skiing, cycling, hiking and is also a UCCF yard angel.
Yard Angels:
Erika Yost and Ashwini Kumar
Mark White and JD Lowe
Andrea West and Alex Daue
Travis Keeley and Karen Widomski
Mason Wiebe and Brenna Brooks-Larson
Casey and Matt Kowal
Maggie Rice
The Glazer Girls
Sadie and Jason Walton
Jana Miller and Martin Ruble
Travis is a Colorado native and a Commercial Real Estate Appraiser. His professional background includes accounting, development and construction management. Previously, Travis was a Board Director for a local for-profit, employee-owned, manufacturing company. Travis is a graduate of the University of Colorado (BA ’95), (MBA ’01). In his free time, he enjoys skiing, cycling, hiking and is also a UCCF yard angel.
Yard Angels:
Erika Yost and Ashwini Kumar
Mark White and JD Lowe
Andrea West and Alex Daue
Travis Keeley and Karen Widomski
Mason Wiebe and Brenna Brooks-Larson
Casey and Matt Kowal
Maggie Rice
The Glazer Girls
Sadie and Jason Walton
Jana Miller and Martin Ruble
