Team Bio

The core team met in June 2016 at a dry farming seminar in San Luis Obispo, CA. It was soon evident that this was serendipitous meeting of minds ripe for collaboration. Moreover, we all agreed that for irrigation-free, regenerative agriculture, the potential of dry-farmed almonds was something very special - and in grave danger of losing out to land development, the growing wine industry, and suburban encroachment. Since then, both interest in and support for the project has grown rapidly.

Susan Cousineau, MSc.

I grew up in the Inland Temperate Rainforest of BC on a 300-acre family farm and woodland. My early years were steeped in discussions, often heated, between organic gardeners, environmentalists, conventional farmers, and loggers. Driven to learn more of both perspectives, I completed a B.Sc. in ecology and M.Sc. in ecology and evolution. This provided research experience in Amazonian Peru, Kenya, the B.C. west coast and islands, and the Alberta Rockies. Looking to unite human habitat, food security, and natural ecology led to a Permaculture Design Certificate in Jordan (fall 2012) with Geoff and Nadia Lawton.

Since graduating in 2012, I've worked on a number of farms (pastured pigs and poultry; organic fruit and berries); collaborating, teaching and working on installations and in the regenerative economy; and working in nature-based youth education. After completing the REX/Regrarians training with Darren Doherty (Orella Ranch, Gaviota CA 2016) I am tying into a solid foundation of research science with the hands-on and experimental work that a growing number of farmers, ranchers and agrarians are undertaking.

Today I focus on supporting both the regenerative agriculture movement and a more nuanced view of biodiversity conservation. I value first-hand evidence, and seek out opportunities to connect with practicing regenerative agroecologists that have grounded their theoretical knowledge in the field. Overall, my primary interests centre on using holistic frameworks and scientific research to address challenges of regenerative agriculture, conservation, food security and watershed management.

Amanda Smith, MSc

My life has been spent receiving exposure to multiple sides of the same picture. After early years surrounded by the smog and asphalt of Southern California, my family moved to Madison, WI where there was snow, green things and wonderful cultural and ethnic diversity. Visits to my grandparents’ Iowa farm during those years instilled an interest in agriculture and the land. However, I didn’t realize that their conventional, monoculture corn and soy bean farming was actually degrading soil, yet growing no food for people. Eventually we moved back to Corona, CA, where I arrived with a greater sense of the diversity of this planet, and wanting to learn more.

I first fell in love with soil during my B.Sc. studies in Environmental Science at UC Riverside, and went on to earn an M.Sc. in soil chemistry. Years followed of unfulfilling environmental laboratory analyses for pesticides and petroleum on food and in the environment. Disillusioned, I changed my life and became a massage therapist. After a decade, trying to find balance, I returned to science and opened my own soil and water lab in 2007, monitoring environmental issues - but without providing real solutions to pollution, soil degradation, lack of water, and dead, compacted soil profiles.

Since 2012, seeking solutions to these problems has led me through 3 Permaculture Design courses, Soil Food Web training with Elaine Ingham, a Regrarian Workshop with Darren Doherty and Watershed Restoration with Craig Sponholtz. Now I focus on restoring health and balance to the soil by reviving its life with compost, mulch, and diverse plantings. These simple steps sequester carbon and create the physical soil properties that increase water holding capacity and biological diversity, and reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides. Through Soil Harmonics, I get to contribute to transformation of the Earth back to health, while encouraging people to be part of the land and its stewardship.