TEAM

Beth is a food alchemist.  Before leaving her artist career and moving here from Ohio six years ago, Beth studied up on desert gardening. On arrival, she became the garden department manager at a local retailer.  When her suggestions to stock climate appropriate plants went nowhere, she started High & Dry Garden Works, her own lab for propagating plants that can thrive with limited water, excessive sun and wind, and deer.  Among the many things she grows are her own foodstuffs, which she now by magic makes into amazing new shapes and forms. If you call Beth, prepare for a conversation that goes something like, "Hold on a sec, I just discovered how to make dehydrated french fries and need to write it down!"

Joe is a welder's welder with a rare combination of large company, small small, and instructional experience.  Joe spent a lot of years at Honeywell, and  his responsibilities included running the training program for new welders.  With his own professional welding operation run out of a well-equipped shop, Joe and his family, horses, and cow, live the classic Central Oregon ranch life.  If you broke it, Joe can fix it.  If you need it, Joe can make it, and he likes nothing more than passing on those skills to his neighbors.

George Blackman is a local treasure.  As much historian as craftsman, George fashions his own tools from machines that are twice his age, each with its own storied past.  Blacksmith, sculptor, inventor, carver, woodworker, you name it, all rolled up into one engaging, enthusiastic member of our Central Oregon community.  George built his career as a welder, but his passion is in working with traditional tools to handcraft practical works of art.  

Elly would probably rather be in her soap shed working on her latest concoction, she can't resist the chance to spread her love of soap making to her Central Oregon Neighbors.  When it comes to soap, she has years of experience that started as a hobby and has blossomed into a successful company.  She specializes in creating small batches of artful, gift worthy hand poured soap. When she does leave her shed, Elly loves sailing!  And we're sure she knows how to clean up afterwards!.  

Scott Mallory is a native Oregonian, living mainly in the east Gresham area and has been in Central Oregon for the last 3 years. He worked in the nursery industry for over 35 years as a grower and now owns his own tree trimming business, Mallory Ornamental Tree and Yard. He is an expert on all things trees; trimming, pruning, planting, reduction and removal. His family lovingly refers to him as everybody’s tree guy!

Rebecca was born and raised a city girl, but attended Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC, where she solidified her love of the agrarian lifestyle and desire to be self-sufficient. She began her goat journey in 2012 and two years later started Glimfeather Farms. Her herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats help her produce a wonderfully cleansing goat milk soap.  While she doesn't make goat cheese commercially like she does her soap and lotions, she is an expert cheesemaker with a Masters degree in education.  Rebecca tries to source as many high quality, natural, local, and sustainable ingredients as feasible. She loves experimenting with new recipes and looks forward to teaching you!

Dr. Persia of Black Diamond grew up riding in western disciplines including cattle sorting, reining, and western dressage. Dr. Persia worked on a ranch where she developed a strong passion for equine management, teaching, and rehabilitation. Combining this passion for horses and love of intricate science led her towards obtaining her doctorate in veterinary medicine.  Dr Persia is a fantastic workshop leader, bringing knowledge, humor, and a engaging style to the sessions she leads.

Is there anyone who doesn't know Kate Beardsley, founder of Mustangs to The Rescue, selfless leader of countless rescue missions, and an accomplished educator who has touched so many lives in Central Oregon.As a professional horse trainer, riding instructor, wrangler and program director, Kate has numerous years of experience working in veterinarian clinics and served as board member with Oregon Equestrian Trails, Back Country Horsemen of Oregon, and Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition among others.  Kate is a treasure, and we're super glad to partner with her on workshops.

Gordon Jones is an Associate Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University. He serves as Central Oregon Agronomist for the OSU Extension Service based in Prineville, covering Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Agriculture from Warren Wilson College and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences from Virginia Tech. Gordon conducts research, teaches extension classes, and provides technical assistance around pasture, hay, and small grain management, soil fertility, and drought resilience.

Rick Bell has over 13 years of experience working for the U.S. government, including 7 years as an Airborne Ranger, where he gained the discipline and focus he applies to his current work. Since moving to Oregon in 2014, Rick has lived off-grid on 20 acres, which he is converting into a fully self-sustainable property. With a background in electrical engineering courses and practical experience in off-grid systems, he now teaches small classes on batteries, solar panels, wiring, and water management. His goal is to help others master solar power and battery systems, teaching how to set up and manage their own 12-volt Direct Current systems for trailers or homes.

Debbie Wood is from Prineville, where she works as the coordinator for Crooked River Weed Management Area located in the Crook County OSU Extension Office. In her 9 years there, she has incorporated working with more partners on projects across county borders. Crooked River Weed Management Area creates public and private partnerships to manage noxious weed populations in the watershed through education, prevention, inventory, control, and restoration.

Ron is a seasoned mechanic and small business owner with 25 years of expertise in repairing various types of equipment. He has previously worked for a company that involved traveling to golf courses and cities to perform equipment repairs. Six years ago, Ron established his own business to achieve a better work-life balance and spend more time at home. He and his family enjoy spending quality time outdoors.

Heidi is a farm girl through and through. Raised on a small acreage farm in Tumalo, Heidi has been involved in farming and ranching since she was 9 years old. She has spent  thousands of hours training and running crews, and operating equipment-- first in hemp and then in hay.  Heidi's business, You Need a Farm Girl, offers consulting, labor, and education for anything farm related. In her free time, Heidi is Farm Director for Friends of The Children, where she mentors youth in all things agriculture.

Meet Holly Hutton. She is a registered herbalist with the American Herbal Guild and has been teaching herbalism for over 14 years. She currently shares her knowledge with students through Central Oregon Community College and the Herbal Academy. Holly is the founder and creator of Herbal Goddess Medicinals, where she combines her passion for natural medicine and herbalism.  In addition, she grows and sells medicinal herb plants suited for Central Oregon.

Lucinda has a deep understanding of horses, built through decades of hands-on experience, study, and in-depth research into what makes them tick. At heart, she is both a researcher and a teacher, always eager to share what she’s learned. Her work is grounded in equine ethology, neuroscience, neurochemistry, emotion, learning, and memory—the core components of what she calls, "The Equine Mandala". This framework explores the science behind how horses think, feel, learn, and communicate, bridging the gap between academic research and practical application. Her training philosophy is rooted in positive reinforcement and operant conditioning, with no use of dominance or fear-based methods.  

Dr. Sabatier completed his doctorate in physical therapy in 2013 from New York University, followed by clinical training at Stanford Hospital in the cardiac ICU. He helped thousands of patients to survive their most critical and complicated moments practicing in the ICU in Central Oregon. He has continued to study breathing mechanics under the guidance of Mary Massery DPT.  Prior to his work as a physical therapist, Andy earned a BS in psychology while playing four years of lacrosse at Auburn University. After moving West, he enjoyed a 5-year career as a professional freeskier, traveling and competing in some of the world’s most iconic mountains. Academy West combines that passion for excellence in performance with a critical eye for patient care and improving the human condition through the power of functional breathing strategies. 

Jonathan Chatman discovered his life's passion while building tree houses as a boy.  Jonathan joined the Army Corps of Engineers in 2004, where he was trained and excelled in carpentry, masonry, and plumbing.  After his time in the service, he embarked on  a career as a journeyman carpenter. Mr. Chatman has a wide range of knowledge and experience and loves to teach willing learners. Jonathan is now retired living in Prineville with his beautiful wife and 6 children. 

Suzanne Landry is a Wellness Educator, and Celebrity Chef, and author of The Passionate Vegetable and Fresh Food Matters. Suzanne has over thirty-five years of experience as a culinary instructor, educator, and industry consultant, and has inspired many people toward a healthier lifestyle.  She is very active in a women’s group that she started 5 years ago and loves hiking in Central Oregon with them.

This talented duo believe that horses open doors to greater joy, deeper connections, and transformative healing. Together they have over 50 years of experience in horsemanship, bodywork, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care. Victoria has not only trained and ridden national and world champion horses, but also has a wealth of experience in horsemanship instruction, and equine therapy co-facilitation.
Josh is currently a doctoral candidate in Occupational Therapy with a BS in Exercise Science. With over 25 years as an authorized meditation teacher in the Sant Mat lineage, he blends mindfulness with his professional licensure as a LMT and hands-on experience in biomechanics and exercise science research labs. His relational approach to Equine Body Work seamlessly integrates mindfulness practices with equine-assisted healing interventions.  

Amy holds advanced degrees in wildlife biology, science education, and agriculture, blending her love for the natural world with hands-on learning. Her journey spans Peace Corps service in Bolivia, launching a student-led urban farm in Washington, and teaching science internationally in the Dominican Republic. Most recently, she led farm-based education at The Hotchkiss School before planting new roots in Bend, Oregon. Amy currently teaches Upper School Science at Cascade Academy and runs her own business, Take Root Edible Garden Design. 

Dr. Floyid Nicolas is an Assistant Professor in Agricultural Water Management at Oregon State University, based at the Central Oregon Agricultural Research & Extension Center in Madras. With a deep background in engineering and sustainable water use, Dr. Nicolas focuses on making irrigation smarter and more efficient for farmers and gardeners. His research blends cutting-edge tools - like hydrological modeling, remote sensing, machine learning, and GIS - to tackle issues like irrigation efficiency, salinity management, nutrient leaching, and climate adaptation in agriculture 

Madeline is a community-rooted educator and herbalist whose work blends deep ecology, traditional skills, and hands-on healing arts. Certified in reflexology, permaculture, and herbalism—with over 2,000 hours of herbal training and counting—she’s led workshops on pine needle basketry, cooking with foraged foods, and making natural remedies since 2022. Whether guiding seasonal plant walks or exploring health through the soles of the feet, Madeline loves sharing her passions in the spirit of connecting meaningfully with the land and people through craft, curiosity, and care. 

Megan is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Athletic Trainer who blends her deep knowledge of human movement with a lifelong love of horses. She’s been riding since age five and has competed in eventing, show jumping, and dressage. Through her business, Cascade Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Megan works directly with equestrians traveling on-site to help riders improve their biomechanics, prevent injury, and ride more effectively. She’s currently training a newly adopted mustang for the 2025 Oregon Mustang Challenge, and brings a grounded, horse-centered approach to everything she teaches. 

Steve grew up around his grandparents dairy farm in Northern Pennsylvania and has always appreciated the rural lifestyle with all the benefits of farming. As he and his wife Jennifer began raising their family, they were able to move to the country with their own small farm. The Curley family has been raising Nigerian Dairy goats for over ten years on five acres south of Redmond that also sometimes includes hogs, steers, rabbits and chickens. 

Sarah is a Workshop Producer. She grew up wild in La Pine on a +/- acre & was able to live a very free childhood. Her dreams were built from dirt and pine needles. Fast forward to bigger dreams, she has built 2 homes, lived without running water for years and has had 13 jobs (different industries) in 9 years. Sarah brings her lifetime of skills and experience to the table to share with anyone who will listen, and seeks out knowledge with the same fiery passion.

Kaleb Watson is School of Ranch's muse, if a 6' 3" linebacker can be a muse.  Mark Gross, our founder, hired Kaleb to teach him how to use a chainsaw, and School of Ranch was born.  Kaleb was our first workshop leader, and though he has moved away, he remains an integral part of our team.  Kaleb grew up ranching and farming  with his cowboy father, and over time became self-sufficient at home and ranch maintenance.

Kaleb spent six years in the Marine Corps, where he earned his teaching stripes as a pistol instructor.  

After the Marines, he began a career in construction. He learned welding, equipment maintenance, basic mechanics, hydraulics and, most important to him, troubleshooting. Kaleb has a drive to pass on his know-how and enjoys helping people build the skills he spent years acquiring.  He has relocated to AZ where he plans to launch School of Ranch!

Chris LaVictoire Mahai is an experienced public, private and non-profit board member. She has a leadership and management history of delivering significant operating results in financial, media, healthcare, and professional services. Today Mahai consults with executives and boards of public and private clients across the US and around the world. In her board roles over the past 20 years, she has chaired the audit and governance committees of the board, plus several ad hoc committees. As a private equity investor focused primarily on women- owned and led businesses, Mahai has also played an advisory role in start-up situations.

James is a multifaceted individual with a passion for craftsmanship and education. With over 15 years of experience in carpentry, coupled with expertise in electrical work and machine mechanics, James is adept at a wide array of trades. And he loves sharing his knowledge and helping people build skills. Born and raised in Culver, James joined the Marines where he was trained in automotive, jet turbine, and solid fuel rocket mechanics, earning numerous certifications. He also is certified in asbestos abatement and has a safety certification from OSHA. Now back in Central Oregon, he gives back to the community through School of Ranch.

Patrice grew up in the mountains of Colorado and had her first horse when she was five. 4-H was her main interest growing up and she competed in every event available. Her horses and adventures are chronicled in her book, Tales of a Young Rider.  At Colorado State University, she worked at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She developed a love for jumping and dressage, winning the Lory State Park Horse Trails.  She became passionate about Dressage and groundwork while riding an upper level school master. She raised her daughters with horses and was very active in 4-H, volunteering as a 4-H Horse Project, Performance Team and Record Book Leader.  She also competed in California State Horseman's Association Horse Mastership program, where she took the top score for Region 5, showing expertise in all aspects of horsemanship. Pinto World was her highest level of competition, where she won 2 Reserve Champion ribbons for Western Pleasure.  Currently, she enjoys exploring the Tumalo trails and taking in the Cascade views from her ranch. 

Jacob Hundt grew up on a dairy farm in the Driftless Region and was one of the founding students of the Youth Initiative High School in Viroqua. He studied at Deep Springs College, the American University in Bulgaria, and the University of Chicago. Since 2004, he has worked as a trained Waldorf high school teacher and guidance counselor at Youth Initiative High School and was a founding board member and instructor of the Driftless Folk School. Currently, Jacob is Director and faculty member of Thoreau College, an emerging microcollege inspired by Waldorf education, Henry David Thoreau, Deep Springs College, and the Scandinavian folk high school movement.

Carol raises Nigerian Dwarf goats on her one-acre micro-farm in Redmond. A

retired RN, she has experience teaching “Survival Gourmet” cooking classes and other health-related topics at the Free School in Santa Cruz, CA. She moved to Central Oregon 9 years ago to realize her life-long dream of raising goats, only to discover that she didn’t know how much she didn’t know about those quirky, sensitive, and loveable creatures. She is eager to share what she has learned about how to keep her goats healthy, happy, and productive, and to empower others with goaty aspirations to be well-prepared for the adventure of goat husbandry. She also enjoys making cheese, yogurt, and occasionally ice cream from the milk they produce, and is looking forward to sharing this process with the community. Carol has converted many skeptical non-goat-cheese lovers with her very mild, creamy, un-goaty goat cheese, and can share some secrets about the process.