WHO WE ARE
Marissa Ames – Editorial Director and Backyard Goats Editor
Marissa Ames runs a small homestead in Fallon, Nevada, where she breeds rare San Clemente Island goats. She teaches homesteading classes for the National Grange organization. Marissa and her husband, Russ, serve as agricultural advisors in Africa for the nonprofit I Am Zambia, facilitating sustainability for rural villages and schools. She spends her free time eating lunch.
Ann Tom – Countryside Editor
Ann Tom lives in northcentral Wisconsin and enjoys her vegetable garden and flowerbeds. When the weeding is done, she enjoys fishing, camping, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Samantha Ingersoll – Marketing & Design Specialist
Born and raised in Medford, Wisconsin, Samantha enjoys being outdoors with her family. They tend a garden, raise chickens, and like to go camping when not busy with sports.
Carla Tilghman – Backyard Poultry Editor
Carla enjoys a small urban stead with chickens, bees, cats, and kids. When not growing veggies and tending fruit trees, she spends her time weaving and knitting.
Ana Skemp – Audience Engagement Specialist
Ana Skemp is a mother, a farmer, and a maker at Deep Roots Community Farm in Wisconsin. She raises grass-fed beef, KuneKune pigs, Icelandic Cross sheep, Pygora fiber goats, ducks, geese, and chickens. In the summer, the farm is opened up to local school kids for educational programming. Her family recently became the next generation to tend the family apple orchard.
