AJ grew up in New York State and gained an appreciation for the land from a very young age. From watching and helping his father maintain a large vegetable garden to spending countless hours exploring the woods with his mother, AJ truly gained an admiration for natural processes and the food that comes from the Earth. AJ relocated to the area of the Pine Ridge Reservation in 2013. AJ spent 6 years as a classroom teacher and curriculum developer at both Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, SD and Little Wound High School in Kyle, SD. While at Little Wound School, AJ had the opportunity to be a team member in the establishment of the improved alternative high school, Little Wound Extension High School. While working to establish the Little Extension High School, AJ began to venture into the prospect of producing high quality, local food. AJ’s personal business, Homegrown Pork and Poultry, was established in 2018 with a primary focus on pasture raised pork and poultry along with a seasonal market garden. Currently, along with maintaining his small farm business, AJ acts as the Farm Director for Makoce Agriculture Development with the primary goals of establishing a diversified regenerative farm model and laying the groundwork for a fully USDA licensed poultry processing plant centrally located on the Pine Ridge Reservation. AJ is most excited to continue engaging with the community and to produce high quality, local food. He is passionate about ecological responsibility through regenerative food production while simultaneously sharing, teaching and learning from a wide array of community stakeholders.