Slav Heller, MBA, MSc., PEng. – Board Chair. Degrees in business administration, and food science and engineering. Forty two years of experience (26 years in management) in 13 food and agricultural organizations, in two political systems. When working with Alberta government, started and led a major project to introduce multi-location abattoirs and work to advance interests of the local food industry. Organizational and industrial innovator with a strong record of success in many organizations. Writer and public speaker, organizer of public funding, conferences, workshops and events. Strong entrepreneurial and new food products development expertise. Holder of five patents in the food industry. Lives in St. Paul County, AB.

Brenda Barritt, MSc Holistic Science - Board Vice-Chair.  Facilitator and project manager with over a decade of corporate and non-profit experience in Europe, Asia and Canada.  Now focusing on projects that build capability in people and organizations for sustainable and resilient rural communities and local food systems.  Currently in succession planning to take on the management of her husband's family farm and become a local food producer. Also involved with adult education and literacy programs, and writing a regular column in the local newspaper.  Enjoys growing, cooking and eating food; travel - especially when it includes local markets, cooking lessons and food; and walking in native ecosystems. Lives in Lacombe County, AB.

Debby Gargus, B.Sc., B. Ed. PHEc. – Board Treasurer. Retired rural teacher with 30 years experience. Long record of working with youth on environmental programs. Active volunteer and organizer of many rural initiatives. Forty years of interest and experience in growing food, home economics, traditional food processing and healthy living. Ecotraveler. Master Organic Gardener. Ecotraveler. Active urban gardener. Lives in Mundare, AB.

Charlie Gargus, B.Ed. – Board member. Retired rural teacher with 35 years experience and strong record of leading extra curricular youth activities and community volunteering. Building construction consultant. Active volunteer and organizer of many key community initiatives. Now in his fourth term as a town councilor. Ecotraveler and active urban gardener. Raised on Alberta family farm. Lives in Mundare, AB.

Don Ruzicka – Board member. Holistic livestock farmer for the last 16years. Offers educational tours of their Sunrise Farm to a wide range of groups. Recognized supporter of many environmental stewardship initiatives. Direct marketer of meats and poultry. Active public speaker. Chair and volunteer of number of rural organizations. Recipient of Environmental Stewardship Award from Growing Alberta (2007), Countryside Canada Award from Habitat Stewardship Canada (2004), Master Farm Family Award (2001) and number of others. Lives and farms near Killiam, AB in Flagstaff County.

Angie Dedrick , B.Sc. H.Ec. - Board member.  Neighbourhood Development Coordinator, City of St. Albert. Over 18 years expereince working in the field of Community Development including opportunities to work with rural and urban communities across Alberta, Canada, Australia and Mexico. Angie is a long-time member of Tipi Creek C.S.A and is passionate about gardening and local food. Lives in St. Albert, AB.

Brian Rozmahel, BA – Board member. Rural Sustainaibility Development Officer with the Town of Viking. Farmer operating mixed farm with beef, grains, berries and farm equipment rental, in farming for 31 years. Initiated work that led to creation of ARSAN. Community organizer. Community organizer and rural advocate. Founder and, for 30 years, a leader of rural youth organization, Kindred Spirits. Founder of student organization Augustana Against Aids and organizer of major fund raising events. Co-founder and leader of Viking based Rural Outreach and Agricultural Renaissance Society. Public speaker, facilitator and coach promoting rural interests, bringing people together across all society lines. Awarded Queen's Jubilee Medal (2002), Master Farm Family Award (2007) and university scholarships. Lives near Viking, AB.

Barb Hazenveld - Board Member. Grew up on a farm in central Alberta.  In her 20's she moved to Australia where she lived for 14 years, starting her adventure as Bill Mollison's apprentice gardener.  While living and working at the Permaculture Institute, Barb taught in Permaculture courses held at the farm and helped implement the large scale design at the Permaculture Institute on 160 acres.  During her 14 years in Australia she taught many Permaculture courses and designed and implemented many garden projects. Barb has taught Permaculture in Australia, Canada, Palestine, China and visited many Permaculture sites in Nepal.  She has also designed and implemented a Permaculture project in Mallorca, Spain at a 1000 yr old Monastery. She now resides in Olds Alberta, where she has been teaching Permaculture courses, providing edible landscapes for locals, and raising 2 children. Barb is thrilled to be back on native soil with all of the challenges of growing food in a cold climate. Barb holds a horticulture diploma from Olds College, a Permaculture diploma from the Permaculture Institute in Australia, a Bachelor of Music degree and a post-graduate Education diploma.

Pamela Wolanski – Ex-Officio Board Member.  Applied Degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership from Medicine Hat College. Passionate about conservation and sustainable agriculture, food, and - more recently - household food economy. Lives on a farm near Mundare, AB with her husband, Nick, and dog, Mikey, and has lived in the community and worked for the organization since 2003, starting as a summer student coordinating youth education programs.  Traveled and worked for a year in Europe.  Grew up on an organic mixed farm in Saskatchewan with her 9 siblings!  Loves camping, gardening, beekeeping and the nature connection. Lives near Mundare, AB.

Diane Hanson - Administrative Coordinator and Secretary. Secretary for Rural Outreach & Agricultural Renaissance Society.  Grew up on the family farm north of Viking where her lifelong passion for sustainable food production and land stewardship began.  Studied and worked in Denmark, Australia and New Zealand.  Worked as designer/facilitator of adult occupational training programs for over 20 years in Alberta, B.C. and N.W.T. Enjoys wildcrafting and gardening. Lives in Viking, AB.