Meet Farmer Nicki

Nicki brings nearly 15 years of experience working with food system resiliency and small-scale local agriculture to Living Grounds.

Her interest in agriculture began when she recognized farming not only to be an important tool for community development and social change, but also a powerful means of personal expansion and growth.

Nicki graduated from Brown University with degrees in Portuguese & Brazilian Studies and Africana Studies. Inspired by community change sparked by food sovereignty, she took an apprenticeship program to learn the basics of growing food. There she met her first farmer mentor: Bob Cannard, the first farmer to provide food to Chez Panisse, opened by Alice Waters in the 1970s. This year-long experience instilled in Nicki a deep passion for working with the earth and facilitating conversation and awareness among eaters and growers. 

Nicki then moved to Massachusetts and became a full-time tractor operator at Red Fire Farm, the largest organic CSA in the state, focusing on production and operational efficiencies. From there, Nicki transitioned her attention toward soil science, working for Derek Christiansen at Brix Bounty Farm, while living at the regenerative agricultural community, Round the Bend Farm.

Nicki’s passion for the intersection of environmental and social justice then led her to the role of Farm Manager & Educator at City Farm in San Luis Obispo, where she developed and led a series of educational programs. Her deepest joy comes from sharing the experience of farming and watching people connect with agriculture in their own way.