John Wallace
Sustainable Agriculture Specialist
Rocky Mountain West Regional Office
Topic Areas: Business Marketing and Planning, Crops, Organic Crops, Farm Energy, Food Equity, Local Foods, Pest Management, Soil Health
Specific Areas of Expertise: Growing in cold climates (zone 4 and below), regenerative soil practices, market gardening, local food networking, urban agriculture, greenhouse construction, building resilient communities, cover crops for zone 4, farm education, GAP ( good agriculture practices), small-scale solutions for beginning farmers, walk-behind tractors and small-scale equipment, youth education
John Wallace studied agricultural economics at Colorado State University, where he focused on using environmental resources responsibly and sustainably. He worked and lived on a small farm in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, growing organic fruit and vegetables before making his way to Montana. John currently manages the Small-scale Intensive Farm Training (SIFT) demonstration farm at the National Center for Appropriate Technology’s headquarters in Butte. He is passionate about connecting the community to locally grown food and developing low-cost-input solutions for small-scale, highly diversified farmers. According to John, “The unique challenges of growing food in Butte’s climate, coupled with the community’s need for fresh, healthy foods, make the job especially rewarding.”
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics with a concentration in Natural Resource
Economics, Colorado State University
Previous Experience:
Seed Certification Professional, 2019-2011
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Worked to guarantee the certification of wheat sold for seed. Small engine repairs and combine mechanic.
Farm Hand, 2011-2014
Hilton Gulch Herbs, Steamboat Springs, CO
Managed sheep operations. Handled vegetable and herb production.
Farm Manager, 2015
NCAT’s SIFT Farm, Butte, MT
Developed educational material on sustainable farming methods. Demonstrated farming practices developed for growing in high mountain desert regions . Marketed locally grown vegetables.
Featured Publications and Presentations:
SIFT 2020: A Small-Scale Urban Intensive Farm and a Year of Local Food
SIFT 2019: Continuing Lessons from a Small-Scale Urban Intensive Farm
SIFT 2018: Lessons from a Small-Scale Urban Intensive Farm
SIFT Farm’s Unusual Year. Part 2