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Kiss the Ground Farmer Relations Board

A group of regenerative farmers who help guide our farmer-centered work, ensuring our programs stay rooted in real-world farming experience and amplify the voices and needs of farmers, led by Rick Brown.

Blake Alexandre
Alexandre Family Farm
Crescent City, CA

Breyon Pierce
Pierce Farms LLC
Surry County, VA

Cali Noland
Long Lake Farms
Long Lake, MS

Carrie Richards
Richards Regenerative
Oregon House, CA

Cheryl Alston
Little Washington Growing Group
Goldsboro, NC

Kristina Walker
Starwalker Ranch
Fort Jones, CA

Mark Noland
Long Lake Farms
Long Lake, MS

PJ Haynie
Haynie Farms
Reedville, VA

Rick Brown
Brown Family Farms
Henderson, NC

Rick Clark
Clark Land & Cattle
Williamsport, IN

Blake Alexandre

Farm Name: Alexandre Family Farm

Location: Crescent City, California

BIO:

Blake Alexandre is a fourth-generation dairy farmer who, with his wife Stephanie and their five grown children, founded the first certified regenerative organic dairy and egg ranch in the U.S. On their five grass-based dairies in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, they graze 5,100 crossbred cows and 35,000 hens across more than 6,000 acres of organic pasture. They pioneered A2/A2 organic dairy genetics in the U.S. seventeen years ago and now steward one of the nation’s largest strictly A2/A2 herds. Blake’s leadership in adaptive grazing has raised soil organic matter from 2% to as high as 13%, turning their land into a powerful carbon sink and model of regenerative agriculture. A dedicated advocate, he has partnered with national organizations, served in key policy roles, and continues to lead with his motto: “Do the Right Thing at Every Turn.”

I Kiss the Ground...
"because when we care for the soil, we care for human health."
- Blake Alexandre

Breyon Pierce

Farm Name: Pierce Farms LLC

Location: Surry County, Virginia

BIO:

Breyon D. Pierce is a sixth-generation Virginia farmer, agriculture educator, and community leader rooted in legacy and driven by innovation. He owns and operates Pierce Farms, LLC and Poppa Breeze Peanuts & Produce, where he blends traditional farming with value-added agribusiness and brand development. As a CTE agriculture teacher, he is passionate about preparing students for careers in food, natural resources, and emerging agricultural technologies. Breyon also serves in local government as a Surry County Board of Supervisors member, advocating for sustainable agriculture, economic development, and strong rural communities.

I Kiss the Ground to...
“to honor my ancestors and the future generations to come.”
- Breyon Pierce

Cali Noland

Farm Name: Long Lake Farms

Location: Long Lake, Mississippi

BIO:

Cali Noland is a fourth-generation farmer and regenerative cotton leader based in Coahoma, Mississippi. Cali is the Program and Global Strategy Manager for the Regenerative Cotton Program at Louis Dreyfus Company. She was a co-founder of the Regenerative Cotton Collective and is a long-time advocate for transformative agriculture across the U.S. and globally. With a background in nonprofit leadership and community development, she brings a rare blend of vision, practicality, and deep commitment to land stewardship. Cali lives with her husband and three daughters on their farm in the Mississippi Delta. 

I Kiss the Ground for...
“the beauty and abundance that it gives us, and so that my daughters and their daughters are able to experience that abundance.”
- Cali Noland

Carrie Richards

Farm Name: Richards Regenerative

Location: Oregon House, California

BIO:

After years of research on the health benefits of pastured meats and clean eating, Carrie, along with her siblings, Noelle and Tom, started Richards Regenerative in 2012 with the cattle from their fourth-generation family ranch in California.

In 2016, Carrie and her family moved to the ranch and transitioned the operation to a regenerative grazing system, making sure to take a “soil first” approach.  The ranch has continued to thrive since making the choice to prioritize soil health, and so has their business, selling into retail stores like Sprouts Farmers Markets, 41 school districts, UC Davis Health, and multiple California Universities, including UC Davis, Stanford and Berkeley.

I Kiss the Ground for...
“Everything that sustains us, supports us, and keeps our planet thriving, starts in the soil.”
- Carrie Richards

Cheryl Alston

Farm Name: Little Washington Growing Group

Location: Goldsboro, North Carolina

BIO:

Cheryl Lewis Alston is a retired chemistry and science teacher who still teaches through agriculture with the nonprofit Little Washington Growing Group. She runs a 3-acre vegetable farm and helps preschoolers and middle-school students grow their own food through hands-on programs like the “Seed to Plate” garden at Rebuilding Broken Places. Her work centers on making science real — starting with a simple question: where do your veggies come from?

A lifelong community leader in Goldsboro, Cheryl has taught with Wayne Community College’s Upward Bound program, created church-based tutoring and children’s ag programs, helped launch a sustainable mini-farmers market, organized with the Wayne Food Initiative and community gardens, hosted Will Allen of Growing Power, and spearheaded the HBO documentary The Weight of a Nation: Kebreeya’s Salad Days.

She holds a B.S. in Chemistry (minor in Mathematics) from North Carolina A&T and pursued further studies in chemistry and science education at Hampton University and Fayetteville State University.

I Kiss the Ground to...
“Ensure that everyone has access to nutritious fruits and vegetables, helping to improve overall health and well-being. Our mission is to cultivate a healthier community by offering a wide variety of fresh produce at affordable prices.”
- Cheryl Alston

Kristina Walker

Farm Name: StarWalker Organic Farms

Location: Fort Jones, California

BIO:

Kristina Walker is the co-founder and CEO of StarWalker Organic Farms, a multigenerational, family-owned operation redefining what regenerative organic agriculture looks like at scale. Alongside her husband Jason, Kristina leads the nation’s first Regenerative Organic Certified® beef and pork operation in the United States, setting a new standard for soil health, animal welfare, and transparent food systems. With a background that blends entrepreneurship, brand building, and a deep passion for organic, nutrient-dense food, Kristina has become a leading voice in regenerative agriculture—bridging the gap between land stewardship and consumer education. Under her leadership, StarWalker has expanded across thousands of acres, grown one of the most credible regenerative protein supply chains in the country, and brought regenerative organic meat to national markets.

Kristina is passionate about proving that regeneration is not only possible, but scalable—when integrity, biology, and business are aligned. She is known for her ability to translate complex agricultural systems into compelling narratives that connect farmers, consumers, and investors alike.

At her core, Kristina is driven by a belief that healthy soil builds healthy food, healthy communities, and a healthier future. Her work is rooted in legacy, transparency, and the conviction that the way we farm today shapes the world we leave behind.

I Kiss the Ground for...
“the quiet power of soil to heal ecosystems, nourish bodies, and restore balance.”
- Kristina Walker

Mark Noland

Farm Name: Long Lake Farms

Location: Long Lake, Mississippi

BIO:

Mark Noland is a Mississippi Delta farmer dedicated to land restoration, sustainable agriculture, and family-centered living. He is co-founder of Regenerative Cotton Collective, and he manages the daily operations of the Nolands’ regenerative cotton farm, supporting regenerative practices, wildlife restoration, and new ag-based ventures. He also is an avid outdoorsman, and co-owner of Delta Mallards, a duck hunting guiding service in the Mississippi Delta. Mark lives with his wife and three daughters on their farm in the Mississippi Delta.

I Kiss the Ground for...
“my daughters. Knowing that what I do today, impacts their tomorrow.”
- Mark Noland

PJ Haynie

Farm Name: Haynie Farms

Location: Reedville, VA

BIO:

P.J. Haynie is a fifth-generation row-crop farmer and entrepreneur from Reedville, Virginia, whose family has been farming since 1867. A graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics, he returned home to continue the family legacy and now owns and operates Haynie Farms across Virginia and Arkansas, producing crops including corn, wheat, soybeans, and rice. In 2020, he became co-owner—and now CEO—of Arkansas River Rice, the nation’s only Black-owned, food-grade certified rice mill, helping bring vertically integrated, Black-owned products to market. One of fewer than 10,000 Black row-crop farmers in the U.S., P.J. carries forward a legacy that began with his great-great-grandfather, one of the first formerly enslaved landowners in his county. A recognized leader in agriculture, he has served on the USDA Equity Commission and as past Chairman of the National Black Growers’ Council, while continuing to grow his family’s diversified agricultural enterprises.

I Kiss the Ground for...
“the ability to be a steward of the land and to utilize the land to feed people around the world. "
- PJ Haynie

Rick Brown

Farm Name: Brown Family Farms

Location: Henderson, North Carolina

BIO:

Patrick Brown is an accomplished American, hailing from Henderson, NC. Raised on his family farm, he’s the 4th generation heir with deep roots in cultivating tobacco, soybean, and wheat, guided by his late father, Rev. Dr. Arthur A. He served as an Agriculture Advisor for USDA and government agencies in Afghanistan while managing Brown Family Farms. Passionate about regenerative agriculture, Patrick pioneers holistic practices on his ancestral land in Hecks Grove, Warren County. His mission at Brown Family Farms is to offer carbon-neutral products like industrial hemp, herbs, and organic vegetables, providing medicinal solutions and sustainable alternatives. An influential speaker, Patrick addresses conferences nationwide and founded the Rev. Dr. A. A. Brown Foundation to mentor future farmers. With 16 years of federal service, including Defense Intelligence Agency roles, Patrick is now Nature for Justice’s first Director of Farmer Inclusion, leading the USDA-funded Soil Inventory Project. Patrick’s leadership, humility, and commitment to sustainable agriculture make him a true visionary, dedicated to transforming farming for a brighter future.

I Kiss the Ground for...
“for survival, stewardship, and legacy."
- Rick Brown

Rick Clark

Farm Name: Clark Land & Cattle

Location: Williamsport, Indiana

BIO:

Rick Clark is a 5th generation farmer from Williamsport, Indiana. Rick’s main goal for his farm is to build soil health and achieve balance with mother nature. Rick has developed and is constantly improving a systematic approach to regenerative farming. He is most proud of all acres being certified regenerative organic. He will suppress weeds and build soil health with the use of cover crops. Rick also cares deeply about human health, as it is another important driver behind the regenerative organic style of farming. Rick is building a system that will be viable and profitable for generations to come.

I Kiss the Ground for...
“human health. The only way to farm."
- Rick Clark