James came to the Grange School of Adaptive Agriculture passionate about growing food and educating the next generation of Agricultural Stewards. James studied Sociology at UC Santa Cruz focusing on Environmental Sociology. Upon graduation, he worked as Solar Engineer in Silicon Valley, helping build and design a thin film Solar Fabrication system. James then left the Valley to serve as a High School Physics and Environmental Science teacher in low income schools in Oakland for five years. His passion for teaching led to the development of School gardens, biochar furnances, aquaponics systems and many young people deciding that Agriculture and Sustainability were their passion.
Now, realizing the pathway to farming is nearly impossible for young people. James decided to join the School of Adaptive Agriculture to get his start in actually being a farmer and to help pave the way for other young farmers to reclaim and regenerate agricultural systems. James recently was awarded the CCOF young farmer fellowship and hopes to raise orchards, honey bees and develop perennial insectories for the farm.