Javier Guerrero, President and CEO

Javier Guerrero is the Farm’s President and CEO. Javier works with Coastal Roots Farm staff, board members, funders, partners, and volunteers to advance the Farm’s impact initiatives of Equitable Food Access, Regenerative Agriculture, Environmental Education, and Jewish Life, welcoming people of all backgrounds.

Javier has worked in the San Diego nonprofit sector for over 20 years and brings extensive experience in nonprofit administration, organizational management, and resource development. Prior to joining the Farm three years ago, Javier served eight years as Executive Director of San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum in Escondido, overseeing the Museum’s capital campaign, move to a new indoor/outdoor location, and expansion of exhibits and programming.

Javier currently serves on the Board of North County Philanthropy Council and is an active volunteer in the community.

Kesha Dorsey Spoor, Director of Philanthropy, Program Strategy, and Communications

Kesha Dorsey Spoor is Coastal Roots Farm’s Director of Philanthropy, Program Strategy, and Communication, supporting the Farm’s development and donor stewardship, leading the Farm’s communication strategy, and overseeing all programs and education initiatives.

Kesha has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than a decade. Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, Kesha managed youth development programs to prevent gang violence and promote sexual and reproductive health at Vista Community Clinic and led civil rights and outreach efforts to reduce hate and secure justice at the Anti-Defamation League in San Diego.

Kesha is passionate about equity and sustainability, loves to travel, and strives to perform Jewish values of goodness and compassion in her personal and professional lives. She holds a BA in Sociocultural Anthropology and Master’s in Public Health with a focus on Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences.

Adam McCurdy, Director of Farm Production

Adam is the Director of Farm Production and is responsible for overseeing all areas of production, including crop fields, food forest, animals, and composting.

Adam is originally from the Pacific Northwest and leads our production as a skilled farmer and manager with over 20 years of agricultural experience. Adam has managed both nonprofit and for-profit farms ranging in scale from 5 to 100 acres. Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, he managed Oxbow Farm and Conservation Center where he oversaw the production of 30 acres of mixed vegetable crops and supplied product throughout the region to over 600 Community Supported Agriculture members, hunger relief organizations, local grocery stores and the regions finest restaurants. Adam also worked in close collaboration with agricultural researchers from area Universities and was passionately involved in studies related to minimizing tillage, cover cropping and nutrient management to optimize nitrogen levels and protect our watersheds in organic farming systems.

Both as a farmer and engaged citizen, Adam has long been a strong local food systems advocate and has been instrumental in increasing the supply of, nutrient dense, locally-grown produce to hunger relief agencies. Adam has committed a lifetime of study in agriculture, horticulture, forest stand management and team leadership in diverse formal and informal settings throughout the Pacific Northwest, New England and Southeast Asia.

Adam is dedicated to healthy organizations, healthy communities, sustainable land stewardship, and cultivating positive evolutions within our food and farming systems. In this spirit, Adam honors learning from our ancestors and integrating innovation for future generations and the health of our planet. When Adam isn’t in the field, he is enjoying time and celebrating life’s gifts with his family.

Denise Naylor, Director of Finance and Administration

As the Director of Finance and Administration, Denise Naylor is responsible for all of the farms financial functions, as well as all administrative and human resources activities. Working closely with the executive director and leadership team to strengthen the farm as an organization, she also collaborates with and provides support to all departments, helping move forward the farm’s impact initiatives.

Denise brings to the farm over three decades of financial management and business leadership experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, her nonprofit work took her to the Sacramento Zoo in Northern California as the Finance and Administration Director, and Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City, Utah where she was the Director of Operations.

Denise is a Master Gardener and feels blessed when she has opportunities to put her hands in the dirt and help in the fields now and again (one of her passions). Her favorite pastimes are gardening, hiking, travel, spending time with friends and family, and eating great food.

Sara Telzer, Director of Grants, Impact, and Evaluation

Sara is the Farm’s Director of Grants, Impact and Evaluation and is responsible for overseeing the Farm’s grant fundraising strategy, the creation, implementation, and ongoing management of all organizational monitoring, evaluation, and reporting efforts, as well as overseeing the Farm’s Organic Food Distribution Program and Distribution team.

For more than a decade, Sara has worked in the fields of nonprofit, social enterprise, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable agriculture. Prior to working at Coastal Roots Farm, she worked in conservation ranching for The Nature Conservancy in Colorado, supported social entrepreneurs and change makers for Ashoka and the Grameen Foundation in Washington D.C., led corporate skills-based volunteer programs in India for companies including Google, and taught English to young kids living in townships in South Africa. Sara feels fortunate to bring multiple perspectives to her work and is passionate about social enterprise, food justice, sustainability, and equity. Sara holds a BA in Law and Society and a MA in Social Enterprise.

Garth Denton-Borhaug, Post-Harvest and Distribution Manager

Megan Freeman, Education Manager of School and Group Visits

Megan is Coastal Roots Farm’s Education Manager of School and Group Visits where she oversees the Farm’s School and Group Visit program, Volunteer and Internship program, and the Education Farm and Gardens. In this role, she works with the Education Manager of Community Programs and Events to plan and implement Jewish and Farm educational programming with a specific focus in designing the long-term goals and curricula for the previously stated programs.

Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, Megan worked for the nonprofit Pathways In Education where she led ethnically and socioeconomically diverse high school students in experiential learning programming to fulfill graduation requirements. She wrote curricula for and ran a program centered around sustainability, food justice, and leadership on a certified organic farm in Mendocino County.

Megan loves eating new foods while traveling and enjoys being outdoors- hiking, camping, and taking photos. She currently has the goals to travel to all of the US National Parks and learn to play guitar.

Ellie Honan, Farm Production Manager

Ellie is Coastal Roots’ Farm Production Manager, where oversees the farm’s vegetable production, laying hen flocks, compost operation, and food forest, supervising a team of seven passionate farmers. In this role, she creates the annual crop plan and lines out weekly operations and harvest lists to bring the plan to fruition. Since joining the farm in 2015, Ellie has been committed to creating regenerative, efficient, safe farming systems and is continuing to formalize these practices in her current role through the development of standard operating procedures and a food safety plan.

Ellie began farming over a decade ago while travelling and working on farms in Kenya and Uganda. Since then she has worked with a number of farms and CSAs throughout the Midwest and has developed a passion for regenerative agriculture and the communities built around it. In addition to her time working on farms, Ellie completed a BA in Economics, Policy Studies, and Environmental Studies and spent 3 years working for and then managing a non-profit microfinance organization. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Women Food and Agriculture Network. Ellie loves surfing, hiking, herbalism and plant medicine, soil microbiology, and food preservation.

Sharone Oren, Education Manager of Community Programs and Events

Sharone Oren is Coastal Roots Farm’s Education Manager where she is responsible for the planning and implementation of Jewish and agricultural programming and events for Coastal Roots Farm. She designs the long-term educational content and curricula for Farm Camp, trains and supports fulltime and part-time educators, and manages community and private programs and events for the Farm and works closely with local and regional community partners.

Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, Sharone worked for Kadima Day School in Los Angeles where she designed and implemented the elementary school’s general and Judaic studies curriculum for 10 years. She also mentored teachers-in-training through the Delet program and facilitated team building activities for the staff. Sharone also worked for Brandeis Collegiate Institute as the Assistant Director, guiding and advising program fellows and leading high and low ropes challenge activities for the participants.

Sharone has lived in Israel for a total of 9 years, has 3 children, and two dogs. She is passionate about healing the earth, one small act at a time.

Kimberly Tomlinson, Education Program Coordinator

Kimberly currently serves as the Education Program Coordinator for Coastal Roots Farm. Prior to joining the Farm Team, Kimberly has worked in both formal and informal education settings. After graduating from University of Delaware, Kimberly moved to Washington DC and taught for several years in a traditional classroom setting. As a traditional educator, Kimberly served as an ELL teacher, reading interventionist as well as a kindergarten teacher.

Following a cross country move to Southern California, she transitioned into informal education. Kimberly worked for over 4 years in various education roles at San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum. Kimberly is passionate about hands-on learning and integrating play and exploration into education.

Kimberly loves hiking, swimming, rock climbing and exploring San Diego County with her husband, daughter and two dogs.

Ricardo Lopez, Vegetable Production Coordinator

Ricardo Lopez is the Coastal Roots Farm’s Community Farmer where he works as a supporting member to all of the Farm team’s efforts.

Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, Ricardo attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he earned a degree in Plant Science, with a concentration in Nursery & Greenhouse Production. While at Cal Poly he worked at their Horticulture Unit managing the nursery production team where he helped produce plants for the campus landscapes.

Ricardo is an avid home cook and in his free time can be found enjoying the outdoors through hiking, fishing, and kayaking.

Kevin Beall, Community Farmer

Kevin is a Community Farmer supporting all aspects of crop production.

Prior to joining Coastal Roots, Kevin graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Plant Sciences, concentrating in Fruit and Crop Sciences. He has worked in a variety of settings, from zoos to botanical gardens, learning as much as he could wherever he went. Kevin loves to camp and backpack, and would love recommendations for local trails and sites!"

Cory Knott, Community Farmer

Cory is a Community Farmer supporting all aspects of crop production.

Cory is a southern California native currently studying permaculture design and environmental and sustainable lifestyles. He has worked in the action sports industry for the past 11 years as a tour bus driver and events marketing coordinator. He likes to go surfind and mountaineering and loves to work with his hands building upcycled flower beds and rebuilding items around the house.

Josh Raser, Temporary Community Farmer

Josh is the newest community farmer where he is responsible for supporting crop production and compost operations. Prior to joining Coastal Roots, Josh has worked the better part of a decade on farms in New England and New Orleans. He developed a passion for growing food while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the rural highlands of Ecuador. When he isn’t farming, he loves being a new Dad and trying to make the best crispy tofu recipe!

Bill Stallcup, Community Farmer

Bill Stallcup is a Community Farmer at Coastal Roots Farm, where has previously been involved as a volunteer with planting, irrigation, weeding, and harvesting of vegetables.

Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, Bill has been a biochemist/cell biologist for the past 50 years, most recently at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute on Torrey Pines Mesa.

Bill lives in Leucadia a little ways north of the Farm, and maintains a fruit and vegetable garden in his yard. He hopes his home “farm” benefits from his experience at the real Farm.

Aaron Stewart, Community Farmer

Aaron Stewart is a Community Farmer where he is responsible for supporting the team in all facets of farm production. He brings a specific focus for soil management and compost production.

Aaron is a returning alumni who worked for Coastal Roots Farm from 2016-2018. His prior focus before joining Coastal Roots Farm was being a father to five boys, which he believes is his greatest accomplishment. He has ran his own manufacturing business for 20 years and for the past 10 years has crossed over into the Horticultural industry.

Aaron was born and raised in Encinitas and loves his hometown. Surfing and southern California life is truly in his blood and he is excited to bring the spirit of coastal life to the Farm.

Scott Thompson, Community Farmer

Scott Thompson is the Farm’s Community Farmer where he is responsible for cultivating and maintaining the farm production areas. Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, Scott worked on a small, off-grid farm on the island of Hawai’i and engaged in regenerative agriculture education and community-building programs. Scott loves dogs, fungus, fermentation, and insects. When not growing or making delicious things, he reads voraciously and travels for Phish concerts.

Emma Tuttleman-Kriegler, Farm Stand Associate

Emma is Coastal Roots Farm’s Farm Stand Associate, responsible for helping operate our on-site pay-what you can Farm Stand and serving our community through dignified, fair access to fresh, organic food regardless of ability to pay.

Prior to Joining Coastal Roots Farm, Emma worked for Isabella Freeman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, Connecticut as an Environmental Educator. She has volunteered at Brooklyn Botanic Garden as a Docent and worked as an Herbalist at Radicle Herb Shop in Brooklyn, New York.

Emma believes that food, nature, and community are our best healers. She is excited to be a part of nourishing community at Coastal Roots Farm!

Allie Mandel, Marketing and Communications Associate

Allie Mandel is Coastal Roots Farm's Marketing and Outreach Associate, connecting the Farm to the community through digital communications, marketing, and outreach, while also supporting the Philanthropy and Education departments.

Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, Allie studied Literature and Agriculture at UC Santa Cruz. She has been involved with local food systems for three years working for a biodynamic winery, an organic cafe, and a farm produce stand. She is passionate about uplifting and supporting the community through local food systems, and believes that eating, growing, and sharing food is the best way to understand and learn from one another.

Hannah Gruen, Farm Educator

Hannah is an Farm Educator where she supports the Education Team with designing curriculum and facilitating school field trips. She assists with volunteer groups and other events held at the Farm.

Alongside her work here at the Farm, Hannah is an Assistant Marine Biologist for the City of San Diego where she develops outreach material to connect the public with sustainability initiatives. Prior to these positions, she was an outdoor educator for the Environmental Leadership Program in Oregon, where she developed curriculum and facilitated hands-on and ecology-based middle school field trips to the Willamette Forest. While pursuing her B.S. in environmental studies, she learned farming techniques on an Urban Farm for four years with the goal of providing fresh organic produce for students at the University of Oregon.

Hannah loves traveling, scuba diving, hiking, camping, educating, and meeting other passionate and innovative people.

Joleyne Lambert, Farm Educator

Joleyne is an Farm Educator supporting the Education Department with programs and events.

Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, Joleyne studied regenerative agriculture at various farms through out California and Central America. While in college, she pursued Environmental Journalism which introduced her to Environmental Racism, Food Justice and Regenerative Agriculture. She believes all social and environmental issues are interconnected, and the path to solving these issues is healing together as one. Her goal is to educate and inspire others to get their hands in the soil, reconnect with nature and their food!

Ashly Tamayo, Farm Educator

Ashly first joined us on the farm in 2017 to collaborate on a series of Jewish educational programs for preschool children and their families called Mitzvot on the Farm. She has been a preschool teacher and garden educator at San Diego Hebrew Day School for the past 6 years. Her role as an assistant farm educator allows her to combine the passion she has for Jewish education with her enthusiasm for helping children develop an appreciation for the natural world.

Ashly served in the United States Navy from 2002-2005, which is what brought her from Texas to San Diego 17 years ago. She is a proud Navy spouse to her husband who currently serves on active duty. As a busy mom of 3 very active teenagers, Ashly enjoys spending time with her family, their pets and exploring the great outdoors.

Rowan Jackman, Assistant Farm Educator

Rowan is an Assistant Farm Educator where she supports the education department with Farm Camp, programs, and events.

Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, Rowan worked for The Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland, Oregon as the Athletic Engagement Fitness and Wellness Lead. She managed the planning and promotion of athletic events, summer camps, and classes for the Club. Prior to these positions she lived and worked in Australia for a year.

Rowan graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in Global Studies with a concentration in Law and Human Rights and Spanish. During her time at the University she worked on the school’s Urban Farm where she learned the ins and outs of organic farming. Rowan loves swimming, traveling, going to concerts, educating kids and building relationships with others.

Christina Cranwell, Assistant Farm Educator

Christina is an Assistant Farm Educator assisting with Farm Camps, programming, and events. Prior to joining the team at Coastal Roots, Christina farmed for several years in New York, Florida, and Tennessee. She also participated in multiple outdoor and nature outreach programs, where she developed interest in wild foraging and entomology. When not on the farm, you can find Christina in the mountains backpacking, or in the kitchen developing her next great culinary creation.

Hannah Arin, Assistant Farm Educator

Hannah Arin (she/her) is an Assistant Farm Educator where she supports the Education Department with both events and programming.

Prior to Coastal Roots Farm, Hannah worked for The Newton Cemetery as a Greenhouse Attendant and Gardener, and for The St. Mark’s School as a Leader for Educational and Operational Support where she helped the community navigate campus-life during the pandemic.

Before working at those positions, Hannah worked as a caregiver at High Spirit Community Farm, a life-sharing, farm-therapy community for adults with intellectual disabilities. She also has experience teaching herbalism at Eden Village Camp, studying Bushcraft in Northern Maine, and editing/writing for Tikkun Magazine. Hannah graduated from Pitzer College in 2019 with a BFA in Religious Studies. In her free time she enjoys writing poetry, reading books (mostly fiction and poetry), and spending time with her wonderful dachshund-chihuahua, Mimo.

Tomer Zekzer, Assistant Farm Educator

Tomer is an Assistant Farm Educator where he supports the education department with Farm Camp, programs, and events.

Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, Tomer worked for various farms in San Diego, Hawaii, and the Philippines, farming, juicing, and making homemade garden inputs. He has been practicing natural farming by fermenting local ingredients to make plant food. In his free time, Tomer enjoys learning about new farming techniques, making art, surfing, and planting seeds. He believes that gardening is a tool for humans to connect with nature and themselves in a way that can support a healthy environment for future generations to thrive.

Holly Weichelt, Assistant Farm Educator

Holly is an Assistant Farm Educator assisting with Farm Camps, programming, and events. Prior to working at Coastal Roots Farm, Holly worked on a ranch in Arizona and started a community garden to feed members of the community experiencing food insecurity. She is so excited to feel at home as part of the Coastal Roots Farm-ily. In her free time, Holly enjoys rollerblading, bike riding, having spontaneous fun, and relaxing on the beach.

Samantha Frank, Assistant Farm Educator

Samantha is an Assistant Farm Educator who supports the delivery of Farm Camp programming. She enjoys her time at Coastal Roots Farm because she has always been passionate about exploring nature and youth education.

During her free time, Samantha plays soccer, hikes, watches documentaries, and creates programs for youth education and empowerment as part of Kappa Kappa Gama’s philanthropy outreach program. Samantha is a sophomore at Santa Clara University.

Danielle Frank, Assistant Farm Educator

Danielle is an Assistant Farm Educator where she supports the delivery of Farm Camp programming. Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, Danielle babysat multiple children and gardened at home. Danielle plays volleyball, paints, sews, and recycles clothing in her free time. Danielle is a senior at Pacific Ridge School.

Liberty Tamayo, Farm Camp Counselor

Liberty is a Farm Camp Counselor where she is responsible for educating youth while they attend Farm Camp. Liberty is a former volunteer with Coastal Roots Farm and has experience working with horses. She is a senior at Canyon Hills High School and enjoys painting, taking care of pets, and riding horses.

Grady McDermott, Intern

Grady is a Farm Production Intern where he supports the Farm’s mission through mutually beneficial volunteer work. Prior to joining, Grady graduated from UCLA where he got his B.A. in Global Studies. During his time in Berkeley, Grady worked closely with the Student Organic Gardening Association (SOGA) to help fight for food justice in the bay area.

In his free time, Grady loves to be in the kitchen cooking for friends, out in nature enjoying the earth, and on-stage doing improv and theater. Grady is stoked to put into practice the concepts of regenerative agriculture and ecological engagement that he learned during school.

Paul Barrera, Farm Educator Intern

Paul is a Farm Educator Intern where he supports the Farm's mission through mutually beneficial volunteer work. In addition to interning at Coastal Roots Farms, he is attending Grand Canyon University, enjoys reading books, and exercising. Paul is currently interning as a tutor through the City of Phoenix Housing Department: Community & Supportive Services Program.

Matthew Lee, Farm Educator Intern

Matt is a Farm Educator Intern where he supports the Farm's mission through mutually beneficial volunteer work. Prior to joining the team at Coastal Roots Farm, he had worked as a camp counselor at the Magdalena Ecke Y for 5 summers.

In this position he worked at a variety of camps which included teaching kids how to swim, skate, play sports, as well as just chaperoning their fun adventures. He's ecstatic to work with Coastal Roots Farm as it combines his experience in camps with his interest in sustainable agriculture.

Janie Overland, Farm Educator Intern

Janie is a Farm Educator Intern where she supports the Farm's mission through mutually beneficial volunteer work. In addition to interning at Coastal Roots Farm, Janie is attending Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon where she is studying Environmental Studies and Political Science and working to gain a better understanding of solutions to our climate crisis on a local scale.

In her free time, Janie loves to surf, run, spend time with friends and family, and try new vegan recipes!.

Jamie Balesteri, Farm Educator Intern

Jamie is a Farm Production Intern where she supports the Farm’s mission through mutually beneficial volunteer work. Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm, she worked within the local food system and at farmers markets in Phoenix, Arizona while earning a degree in Nutrition and spent 3 months working on a sustainable farm in the Tuscany region of Italy.

She recently completed a Permaculture Design certification and is passionate about healing people and the planet through good food, community, and regenerative growing practices. When her hands aren’t in the dirt, you can find her camping, hiking, reading, doing yoga, or experimenting in the kitchen.

Tenaya Bearman, Farm Educator Intern

Tenaya is a Farm Education Intern where she supports the Farm’s mission through mutually beneficial volunteer work. Prior to interning at Coastal Roots Farm, Tenaya interned and worked with a variety of environmentally related organizations where she has specialized in education and community outreach.

Hope Sims, Farm Educator Intern

Hope is a Farm Educator Intern where she supports the Farm's mission through mutually beneficial volunteer work. In addition to interning at Coastal Root Farm, she is a senior in college studying economics and sustainability. After she graduates, she hopes to explore more national parks and to begin working in the field of community development.

Jaskrit Bhalla, Farm Educator Intern

Jaskrit is a Farm Educator Intern where she supports the Farm’s mission through mutually beneficial volunteer work. In addition to interning at Coastal Roots Farm, Jaskrit works at a regenerative organic farm in Orange County and manages greenhouse operations at a family farm in Riverside.

She is passionate about growing, cooking, and eating delicious and nutritious food that is sustainably grown, and connecting with the natural world.

Laird Tassara, Farm Educator Intern

Laird is a Farm Educator Intern where he supports the Farm's mission through mutually beneficial volunteer work. In addition to interning at Coastal Roots Farm, he volunteers at the San Diego Food Bank and works his family’s 22-acre property.

Laird is currently a sophomore in high school, plays on the lacrosse team, and loves to surf. He is also starting up the first agriculture club at his high school.