Raised in the gas fields of Texas and moving to the center of Iowa’s industrial agriculture economy, Breanna Horsey has developed a strong and abiding concern for our planet and our state. At SILT she will put her education and experience toward stewarding a young organization heading into its next stage of growth.

Breanna holds an Environmental Studies Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s in Organizational Development. She has lived in Storm Lake for 12 years, where she led the Grounds Team at Buena Vista University to more sustainable practices, then joined the university’s Development team, which raises an estimated $5 million per year.

Sophie Sheeder is the Events and Communications Coordinator for SILT. She graduated with distinction from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Social Justice and a certification in Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy. She is passionate about sustainability and environmentalism. In her free time, Sophie likes to read, crochet, and do her best not to kill her houseplants.

Kya is currently a first-year student studying at Cornell College for a degree in Conservation Biology. Her hometown of Nampa, Idaho ignited her interest in the environment and her extensive volunteering and academic experience that followed. With goals in improving land use, she aspires to gain experience and insight on how to communicate messages of sustainability to local communities.

Alexis is a class of 2021 Drake University Graduate. She majored in Law Politics and Society with a minor in Philosophy. Her passion for the environment stemmed from a variety of sources, one significant source being the meat packing plant she grew up next to. She spends her free time taking care of house plants, her pet toads and her cat named Izzy.

As Farm Coordinator, Alexis will process farm protection process and then help farmers match with the SILT farms best suited to them.

Daryl comes to SILT with more than 3 decades of experience in conservation including 28 years as the Jackson County Conservation Director. He came out of retirement to continue his work improving Iowa’s landscape.

Daryl’s job, partly funded by American Rescue Plan dollars allocated by the County of Dubuque, includes the goal of establishing 14 permanent perennial food farms in the Dubuque watershed over the next 4 years.

Zach has an MS in Public Policy from the New School where he focused on sustainability and its intersection with social justice issues. His passion for sustainable agriculture began growing up in Kentucky and working on an organic farm in high school.

In his free time he enjoys his two cats, anything that allows him to work with his hands, enjoying nature, and is a self-published author. 

Zach is the Central Iowa Land Scout and is responsible for finding prospective landowners in Polk County and the surrounding area who wish to leave a legacy of sustainable table food farming to Iowa. 

Robyn Hepker is owner of Benson and Hepker Design in Iowa City. She was honored as one of Iowa City Downtown District’s Women of Impact in 2019. She can be contacted through her company’s website: http://bhdesign.com/

Experience: Retired Soil Conservationist at USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service with 35 + years in ten different counties in resource land management and utilization for various sized agriculture operations. Background includes investigating, analyzing and advising customers on a variety of natural resources and environmental concerns in accordance with policy across Iowa. Julie is skilled in working with individuals and small groups in an office setting or in the field about soils, best management practices for soil, water, plants, air, animals, and humans, prescribed grazing systems, conservation planning, cultural recourse and watershed mitigation practices. Julie hold a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri. She has worked part-time as a contracted staff member since Oct 1, 2022 with SILT.

Kirt Manecke is the former Executive Director of a northern Michigan land conservancy. He is a fundraising consultant and award-winning author.

Voloria is the Administrative Assistant for SILT. She joined the team as of April 2024. Voloria worked in education for 6 years, and is currently pivoting her career focus to include real estate and social justice advocacy. In her free time, she loves visiting the dog park with her 2 fur babies and her family.