Meet our organizers.

“Theo” our writer. She is a sixth-generation Scott Valley native who raises cattle and kids with her husband, Dave. Before coming home to raise her family, she spent time in Washington, DC advocating for ranchers on Capitol Hill. She now does some freelance writing.

“I could see these new regulations were going to put an end to our beautiful way of life here if we didn’t do something about it,” she says. “This communication effort is the best thing I can do to help.”

Lauren got this alliance started. She is the glue that keeps our team together (and keeps us to our deadlines!) She works with her husband, Paul, farming hay on a Scott Valley ranch that has been family owned and operated since 1857. The Sweezeys purchased it in 1969, and now the 3rd and 4th generations of their family are living and working on the ranch.

Lauren is also a certified instructor at Stable Hands, a therapeutic horsemanship program. She has overcome many trials in her life through faith and willpower, and has helped others do the same.

She is determined to keep her family’s heritage going. “We need AgWA so the next generation and each one after that can farm here and keep calling this place home. I can’t see it any other way.”

Sari is our science nerd. She has her Ph.D. in Resource Planning Conservation, owns a tree nursery in Scott Valley with her husband Tom, and is a retired watershed consultant. She has been working on conservation issues in Scott Valley for decades, and has reams of data and studies to back her up. She’s always been an avid fish advocate, but she’s equally passionate about saving agriculture in Scott Valley.

“The only things I can see replacing agriculture here would be subdivisions, invasive weeds, or—worst of all but highly possible—a Dust Bowl,” she says. “None of these are good for farming or fish. AgWA’s mission is to get that reality out to the public and our policy makers.”