Sierra Doehr (they/she) is a Filipinx-American who has loved the Saticoy community since moving to Azahar Street in 2011. Since then, they have found themself at the intersection of food security and racial equity as a health educator and farmer. Sierra is currently a Social Justice Fund for Ventura County Fellow and a Vital Village Network Community Food Systems Fellow based out of Boston Medical Center. Her favorite vegetable is kang kong aka water spinach!

Matthew Ruiz-Parra, a local resident of Ventura County, started volunteering with Saticoy Food Hub in May 2023. He has found himself surrounded by fields and agriculture his entire life, and has always carried a sense of pride with him about farming and farm land history. He has previously worked in conventional agriculture, including time as a pesticide handler, but now finds himself as a Food Hub Associate with Saticoy Food Hub, supporting the ever growing need for a true organic and sustainable future for Ag in Ventura County. His favorite fruit is a pineapple!

Alexis Velasco is an Agroecology Fellow at Saticoy Food Hub and an incoming senior at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where they are pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Studies. Originally from Fillmore, CA, and raised in nearby Bardsdale, their connection to agriculture began early, inspired by grandparents who worked in local citrus groves. Their academic and professional journey has included work in ecological restoration and wild animal care with the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care network along with coastal research in parts of California and Costa Rica with university programs such as FUERTE and BIOMA. Despite these diverse experiences, they continue to be drawn back to agriculture and food systems. Through community-based work at Condor’s Hope Ranch tending to grapevines and now at Saticoy Food Hub, they are excited to help manage and grow the farm while deepening their commitment to sustainable, community-centered food practices.

Kim (they/she/he) grew up in Palmdale, CA watching and helping their dad grow food under the Mojave desert sun. Their love for gardening developed into a passion for creating decentralized community food systems and advocating for sustainable agricultural practices and fair farm labor laws. In June 2022 they graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Sociology. Kim is Saticoy Food Hub’s Food Access Coordinator and organizes the Saticoy Community Fridge and the Kids Zone at the Saticoy Farmers Market. Their favorite fruit is a persimmon!

Lauren Weichert (she/her) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and moved to Camarillo, CA at age 9. She graduated from UCSB in 2018 with a BS in Environmental Studies. She lived in Goleta and worked in ecological restoration for 3 years after graduating. In October 2021, Lauren moved back to Ventura county to work at an organic farm. She now calls Santa Paula home and is excited to be a part of the Saticoy community. She is passionate about food justice, building resilient food systems, and native plants. Her favorite vegetable is garlic because of its ability to make any meal better.

Myrna (she/her), born and raised in East Los Angeles, is passionate about soil health and regenerative agriculture. With a background in social media and firsthand experience working alongside farm workers, she has developed a profound appreciation for sharing stories of our interconnected relationship with stewarding the land. Pursuing her BA in soil science, she aims to aid farmers in adopting sustainable practices that align harmoniously with nature and, most importantly, supporting underserved communities affected by food insecurity. Embracing her role at the Saticoy food hub, Myrna looks forward to providing tailored resources to meet the community's needs and assist individuals in establishing home gardens to enhance food production and soil health. Myrna's favorite fruit is guava, as some of her fondest memories revolve around climbing guava trees in her childhood home.