Alexandra “Alex” Connor
Free Farm Stand Coordinator
Excited to be working at UT helping the local communities in Richmond and San Pablo achieve healthy living through food sovereignty, community building rituals, and activism.
Dee Thompson
Co-Farm Manager and Crop Row Specialist
I am excited to be joining Urban Tilth and continue the amazing work of the farm team by supporting the cultivation of new farmers and growing nutritious local produce for the community.
Michelle Besada-Barquis
Fund Development Associate
I am thrilled to join Urban Tilth as the Fund Development Associate. Having grown up on a farm as a child, but spending my adult life in large cities, Urban Tilth is a dream come true. I love the community, and the connection to farm life just outside the city.
Alana McCarthy
North Richmond Farm Education & SYAP Manager
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Alana has always felt the need to support her community! This work began at an early age and continues thorough her role at Urban Tilth.
As the North Richmond Farm Education & SYAP Manager, Alana educates local community members across Richmond.
She hosts weekly classes for elementary school students & senior citizens! Outside of class time- Alana is responsible for conducting wellness workshops & field trips to the North Richmond Farm.
During the summer seasons Alana manages the Summer Youth Apprenticeship. A program training local high schoolers on job readiness & agricultural skills.
If you’d like to learn more about Alana’s work, schedule a wellness workshop, or visit the farm please reach out to her via email – alana@urbantilth.org
Stacy Johnson
Accounts Payable Specialist
Lily Ochoa
RHS Maintenance and Communications Coordinator
Daniel Zermeno
CSA Coordinator
Daniel was born and raised in Richmond. He started working at Urban Tilth in June 2024 as a CSA coordinator. Daniel is very passionate about helping the community he grew up in to have fresh produce.
Tina Lozito
CSA Coordinator
Tina Lozito was raised in Richmond and loves the work she does as a CSA coordinator. She takes the rains and follows in her brother Rudy footsteps by working with produce and engaging with the community at Urban Tilth.
Keshawn Stanley
Farm Coordinator
Keshawn, known to many as King, is a 29-year-old native of Chicago, Illinois, born at Macon County Hospital. At 21, he embraced a transformative journey by eliminating dairy products and meat from his diet, which led to significant improvements in his physical and emotional well-being. This pivotal change ignited his passion for personal growth, encompassing meditation, stretching, nature walks, and a deep appreciation for reading.
King’s dedication to self-improvement is evident in his core life values:
1. Faith in the Most High
2. Connecting with people
3. Reverence for nature
4. Commitment to reading
5. Self-awareness
6. Passion for roller skating
7. Continuous learning
Professionally, King has realized a dream by becoming the Farm Coordinator for Urban Tilth’s North Richmond Farm, an organization dedicated to cultivating agriculture, feeding the community, and restoring relationships to the land. Previously, he was a member of the Rudy Lozito Fellowship (RLF) crew, where he contributed to community engagement and environmental stewardship. King’s journey exemplifies the belief that with determination and faith, one can achieve their aspirations.
Karla Ramos
Watershed Technician
Karla joined the Watershed Restoration Field Crew in 2024 after graduating from the Rudy Lozito Fellowship at the North Richmond Farm. Karla lives in San Pablo and is excited by the opportunity to care for native plants and the natural spaces here in our community. Outside of work, Karla is an artist and painter, and likes to hike and read poetry. Karla also has experience working on plumbing systems, and will bring this expertise to support our Water Conservation and residential greywater installations.