Steve Apfelbaum - Applied Ecological Services (AES), Brodhead, Wisconsin
Steven I. Apfelbaum is among the most well-known leaders in the field of ecological system restoration, conservation development, and the restoration of hydrology in the world. He is founder of Applied Ecological Services (AES), a multi-million dollar international ecological restoration services company based in Brodhead, Wisconsin. Under his leadership, AES has implemented projects that include the international-awarded closure plans for the 2,400 acre Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island in New York that will be transformed into a new central park three times the size of the existing central park in Manhattan. Other major projects include the nationally acclaimed Prairie Crossings conservation development project in Grayslake, Illinois, which has been featured in over two hundred press articles in 2003-2004, including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.


Abe Collins, Carbon Farmers of America
Carbon Farmers of America


Brock Dolman, Director of the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center
Brock Dolman is a Sowing Circle Community member and the Director of OAEC's WATER Instituteand Permaculture Design Program, and he co-directs our Wildlands Biodiversity Program. He co-instructs Basins of Relations and permaculture-related courses. Brock also co-manages the Center's biodiversity collection, orchards and 70 acres of wildlands. Living up to his specialized generalist nature, and rekindling the dwindling art of the peripatetic natural historian, his experience ranges from the study of wildlife biology, native California botany and watershed ecology, to the practice of habitat restoration, education about regenerative human settlement design, ethno-ecology, and ecological literacy activism towards societal transformation.
Occidental Arts & Ecology Center


Dr. Christine Jones, independent scientist, Australia
Dr Christine Jones is an internationally renowned and highly respected groundcover and soils ecologist. She has a wealth of experience working with innovative landholders to implement regenerative land management techniques that enhance biodiversity, increase biological activity, sequester carbon, activate soil nutrient cycles, restore water balance, improve productivity and create new topsoil. Christine has organised and participated in workshops, field days, seminars and conferences throughout Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the USA and has a strong publication and presentation record.

Christine received a Community Fellowship Award from Land and Water Australia in 2001. The LWA Community Fellowship Program was designed to `provide recognition to individuals with an outstanding track record in mobilising and inspiring the community to better manage their land, water and vegetation'

In March 2007, Christine launched the Australian Soil Carbon Accreditation Scheme, the first incentive payment scheme for soil carbon in the world - making Australia a leading nation in the recognition of soils as a verifiable carbon sink. The ASCAS project rewards landholders for adopting innovative techniques designed to sequester soil carbon and improve soil water holding capacity, thus reducing the atmospheric concentration of both carbon dioxide and water vapour, the two major greenhouse gases.
Amazing Carbon

Greg Judy, rancher and 'mob-grazing' educator
Greg and Jan Judy of Clark, Missouri run a grazing operation on 1400 acres of leased land that is made up from 11 farms. Greg and Jan went from near bankruptcy in 1999 to paying off a 200 acre farm and house in 3 years with custom grazing on leased land and are completely debt free. Today they own 3 farms and lease 8 farms. Holistic High Density Planned Grazing is used to graze cows, cow/calf pairs, bred heifers, horses, and stockers. They also own a 250 head grass genetic cow herd, 300 head hair sheep flock, goat herd, and graze Tamworth pigs. They have also started direct marketing grass-fed beef, lamb and pork. Their website is: greenpasturesfarm.net. Greg is absolutely convinced that there is no better way to get into the grazing business then to lease some fallow land, employ high density grazing and use other people's livestock to do it. Since switching from Management Intensive Grazing to Holistic High Density Grazing 3 years ago, the results have been breathtaking. The Judy's use no lime, no fertilizer, no seeding, no chemicals, no equipment. The Judy's focus solely on increasing animal density, trampling plants to form the litter bank, animal performance and long grass recovery periods between grazing. Plant diversity has exploded along with increased grass quantity each successive year combined with increased profit.

Greg wrote a book in 2001, entitled "NO RISK RANCHING, Custom Grazing On Leased Land", which gives a complete breakdown on the methods they used to build their operation from scratch. In 2008 Greg wrote a second book "COMEBACK FARMS, Rejuvenating Soils, Pastures and Profits with Livestock Grazing Management". Greg's new book covers all the methods they use with Holistic High Density Grazing, multi-species grazing, grass finishing animals, eliminating costly inputs. Greg has given numerous talks and schools all over the United States on the benefits of Holistic High Density Planned Grazing, leasing land, multi-species grazing, custom grazing and wildlife management. The Judy's hold Holistic High Density Grazing Schools at their farms teaching the principles of HHDG. Greg does consultant work for other people interested in setting up HHDG grazing systems. Greg quit his off farm job of 30 years and is now a full time rancher. Green Pastures Farm

Jeff Moyer, Farm Director for the Rodale Institute, organic no-till - Kutztown, PA
I've worked for the Rodale Institute for over 33 years and have been the Farm Manager/Director for the past 27 years. I direct all the farming operations involving all the planted areas, research trials, production fields, greenhouses, gardens and grounds. The Institute farm is a 333 acres research and education facility in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Currently as Farm Director I have vast experience and knowledge regarding organic farming, agronomic crops, vegetable production, livestock production (dairy and beef), apples, and composting systems. I have provided the media with a reliable source and perspective for information on the current agricultural issues. I'm the project leader on the highly acclaimed Biological No-Till project where cover crop systems and specialized rolling equipment are being developed to facilitate no-till planting systems without herbicides. I currently serve as Chairman of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), helped write the national compost standards, pasture regulations, and aquaculture standards for fish production. I hold a position on the Leonardo Academy's (ANSI) committee for sustainable ag and am frequently requested to speak at farming seminars and workshops nationally and around the world.
I have production and research expertise in crop production, livestock production (beef), greenhouse management, compost systems and cover crop management.Rodale Instiute




Constance Neely, consultant for land, livelihoods and climate change
Report Overview pdf
Full Report pdf









Nancy Ranney, grassfed beef producer and carbon rancher
Ranney Ranch










Sara Scheer, Ecoagriculture Partners
Worldwatch Report 179




John Wick, rancher, leader of the Marin Carbon Project