About Us
Learn about our team of Soil Biology, Composting and Syntropic Farming Professionals that will be teaching you at the Academy.
Keisha Ernst- Catalyst BioAmendments
Keisha Ernst is dedicated to advancing microbe farming and soil health. As an owner at Catalyst BioAmendments for six years, Keisha creates specialized compost recipes using microscopic data and environmental factors. She also consults with farmers, compost producers, and home gardeners to enhance microbial content in their practices through the consultation company Soil Matters.
An accomplished speaker and educator, Keisha has led workshops across the US and Canada and has played a key role in developing compost lots nationwide. Her mission is to empower others to harness the benefits of soil microbes for sustainable agriculture.
Casey Ernst- Catalyst BioAmendments
Casey Ernst discovered his passion for natural systems through a transformative reforestation project in the Andes Mountains of Southern Ecuador. Over seven years, they developed expertise in permaculture design, terraforming, and constructing natural systems, which sparked their drive to create a broader impact on soil and agricultural communities.
This drive led to the creation of Catalyst BioAmendments and Soil Matters. As an owner and operator, Casey specializes in compost lot management and consultation. They possess extensive experience in designing and managing windrows, developing tailored compost recipes, and optimizing material resourcing.
Their proficiency with heavy equipment and machinery customization ensures efficient and effective compost production. Casey is dedicated to solving complex challenges in composting and soil health, delivering innovative solutions to enhance soil fertility and support sustainable practices.
Brian Vaag- Soil Matters
With a scientific background, Brian embarked on a journey from high-tech to regenerative agriculture. Brian's expertise lies in orchestrating data-driven strategies that amplify agricultural productivity while bolstering profitability.
He seamlessly integrated his live for soil health, microorganisms, and sustainability into his consulting practice, ensuring client well-being remains paramount. His homesteading lifestyle fuels a deep connection to soil and the intricacies of nature.
Brian collaborates with Keisha and Casey on his soil consultancy business, Soil Matters.
Scott Gallant- Porvenir Design
Scott Gallant is a permaculture designer and educator with nearly a decade of experience working in Central America. He is the co-founder of Porvenir Design, a landscape design firm specializing in productive landscapes. Porvenir is one of Central America's leading permaculture design companies, creating permaculture systems across small and large acre landscapes across Costa Rica and beyond.
He graduated from Wabash College in 2008 with a degree in Economics. He was the farm manager at Rancho Mastatal for nine years, and has worked with diverse projects such as VersaLand, Open Source Ecology, Project Bonafide and many more as he has developed his skill-set in permaculture design.
Raleigh Latham- Water Stories, SDMC
Raleigh Latham is a producer, educator, and soil consultant in training. His passion for ecological entrepreneurship, soil biology, and water cycle restoration led him to co-founding three different online schools over the past 7 years, The Soil Foodweb School with Elaine Ingham, Water Stories with Zach Weiss, and the Sustainable Design Masterclass with Neal Spackman.
After moving to Costa Rica, Raleigh teamed up with Keisha, Casey, Brian and Scott to put on this intensive because he saw a need for practical soil biology training, both in Costa Rica and around the world.
Gerardo Calderón- Finca Luna Nueva
Gerardo Calderón is a Syntropic farmer, specializing in the Cloud Forest Climate of Costa Rica. For the last several years, Gerardo has trained with Scott Gallant to manage the large, diverse Syntropic Agriculture farm across 11 hectares. Gerado will be showing you the production methods, compost application, and Syntropic farming in action on the farm.
