Our Team

As Rusted Gate Farm’s first Executive Director, Jo Ann is leading the effort to implement its mission and set the course to ensure the vision set forth by its Founder, Christy Walton. For the past 15 years Jo Ann has worked with Christy to ensure her individual projects reached their intended goals. Jo Ann grew up in New England where strong small farming tradition is woven into the fabric of the community. She also brings over three decades of business experience including founding a nonprofit in her hometown. Jo Ann’s life-long commitment to a quality built environment led her to a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Massachusetts and a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from Harvard University.

Dave has enjoyed a life-long career in agriculture and has managed thousands of acres of farm land and ranches and dozens of personnel in Nevada, California and Southern Oregon. He comes from a family of dairymen and before launching out on his own, obtained a degree in Animal Science from Fresno State University. Dave’s vast experience, business savvy, and never ending search for ‘best practices’ make him the perfect Farm Manager to implement Rusted Gate Farm’s vision. Dave lives on the Farm with his wife Dodie and they are active members of the community.

John brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from years of business ownership and management as well as high-level leadership in the nonprofit world. John earned his Master’s degree in nutrition from Indiana University, but his love for learning and self-improvement is evident in his everyday work. Having honed his skills in training, program management, and people development through 15 years of directorship with the national and Ashland YMCA, John has been instrumental in RGF’s early years of growth and evolution. John’s love for his family and community is fueled by an unwavering optimism. He and his wife are longtime residents of Southern Oregon where they live in the home he personally built.

Megan has been involved in small-scale agriculture for nearly two decades and is passionate about growing high-quality food for her community. After earning a BS degree from the University of Oregon, her love for farming was cemented while completing an apprenticeship at The Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at UC Santa Cruz. Before joining the RGF team, she ran a small vegetable and chicken farm with her partner and worked on several small farms and ranches around The Rogue Valley. She hopes to use her experience and formal training in technology and automation to improve small-scale farming and reduce our dependance on a centralized food system.

The daughter of a cattle rancher in Central Oregon, Anna has been involved with agriculture her whole life. Her study at the University of Oregon Urban Farm program solidified her desire to live a life dedicated to small agriculture. She went on to apprentice at a Vermont farm before she and her partner began their own vegetable and chicken farm in Central Oregon. Anna sits on the Farmer’s Market’s Board of Directors, driven by her passion for connecting people with good food and strengthening regional economies. Her extensive experience in production and consumer purchasing informs her strong leadership and vision for the farm stand. In her spare time, Anna likes to play in the woods and attend theater and Medford Rogues baseball.

After earning his degree in Sociology, Micah went to work for Habitat for Humanity where he gained hands-on experience in the nonprofit sector, management, and business development. His skills in research and writing have supported the development and fundraising work at Rusted Gate Farm. Micah’s work at Rusted Gate Farm is driven by his values for strong community and creative problem solving. When not at work, he enjoys camping with his wife and two sons.

Jace learned everything about farming and ranching from his father, Dave Picanso. Jace has followed Dave’s footsteps in taking care of other people’s farms and ranches, helping farmers to realize their dreams. Jace and his dad are an incredibly valuable team at Rusted Gate Farm and they offer a wide breadth of practical knowledge, from being able to fix anything to making important decisions about the best farm management practices.

Jon’s experience with farming stretches back to his teenage years when he worked on a small farm milking and feeding cows. His experience over the next few decades included sheep farming, landscaping, and tree removal. After moving to the Rogue Valley, Jon worked at two different horse ranches. His hard work ethic and honest character made him attractive to Rusted Gate Farm where he has continued to expand his knowledge and skills.

Will came to Rusted Gate Farm with a background in field management, welding, construction, equipment operation, and a degree from the University of South Dakota. Having grown up raising horses and small animals in Iowa, caring for cattle was an easy transition. Along with previous training in management and logistics, Will brings strong organization and planning skills to the daily task requirements at Rusted Gate Farm and his secondary role as the Safety and Compliance Coordinator. In addition to spending time with his wife and four children, Will loves any and all outdoor recreation.

Devin will tell you he feels most at home in the cab of a tractor. He spent many years raising cattle and hay before joining the Rusted Gate Farm team. His knowledge and experience in these specific areas along with a background in construction have made him a strong fit, and his love for farming fuels his continued growth into new areas. When not at work, he enjoys the outdoors, spending time with his wife, and online gaming.

Justin is a graduate of Southern Oregon University where he earned a degree in Sustainability & Environmental Science. Raised around agriculture, Justin participated in FFA, 4H, and helped with his family’s vineyard from a young age. However, it was during his time at The Farm at SOU that his passion for agriculture and local food systems truly took hold. Since then, he has been focused on learning more about small-scale agriculture and continues to gain hands-on experience to expand his skills.

Justin came to RGF after committing over a decade of hard work to his family’s restaurant where he took on a variety of roles. His experience and knowledge of food, business procedures, and ability to create a welcoming and customer-centric experience easily translated to the service he brings to the farm stand. Justin’s work is inspired by his enjoyment of the outdoors and his appreciation for good food and connecting with people. In his spare time, Justin likes to go camping and play guitar.

Jeff brings over eight years of experience in regenerative, biodynamic, and organic market farming. As an owner of a regenerative farm in the Rogue Valley, he specializes in crop planning, irrigation design, data-driven decision making, and building efficient systems. His expertise spans annual vegetable production, orchard and vineyard management, ungulate care, and irrigation project management, complemented by skills in financial tracking, field documentation, and client relations. Jeff is most passionate about cultivating biologically active soils, streamlining farm operations, and supporting a vibrant future for small-scale agriculture. When he is not farming, you will find him hiking, playing pickleball, or exploring photography.

Cherie came to rusted gate with a breadth of experience supporting senior leadership at top companies in the technology and healthcare sector. Wanting to apply her skills to work more rooted in the community, she joined Rusted Gate Farm. Cherie’s blend of warmth and communication paired with strong organization and professionalism have helped to accelerate the impact and efficiency of operations here at Rusted Gate. She and her family reside in Ashland and enjoy taking in Southern Oregon’s beauty through hiking, trips to the coast, and local wineries.

Adrienne brings diverse experience working at the intersection of agriculture, mental health, and education. Her years of professional experience in agriculture eventually led her into the field of mental health. She now holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human and Plant Integrative Studies with a minor in Food Studies from Ohio University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a focus in Community Mental Health. Her drive to facilitate relationships between youth and nature began after observing kids in a range of mental health settings and the role that connection with land can play in a person’s healing process.

Kara is a fifth-generation farmer and the third to cultivate the Rogue Valley land her family has worked for decades. She likes to say she began farming at the age of three, tagging along with her grandfather to check if the alfalfa was ready to bale.
Today, Kara is part of an agricultural program for young adults that has taken her across the U.S. and abroad. Through hands-on experiences with farmers and ag professionals from all walks of life, she has gained invaluable insight into diverse techniques, sustainable practices, and the innovative ideas shaping the future of agriculture. When not at work, Kara likes to hang out with friends, play with her dog, and try as many new restaurants as possible.

Chase grew up in the Rogue Valley but spent most of his free time on his family’s cattle ranch in Klamath. In middle school, he even spent a year living on the range, completing homework each night after long days of ranch work—a rhythm that shaped his strong work ethic and grit. After years working as a successful automotive service manager, Chase followed the calling of his first love and joined Rusted Gate where those years of experience and dedication show up each day. Outside the farm, you’ll find him with a fishing pole in hand or a good book close by.