Hannah Breckbill has been working with Humble Hands Harvest since 2013, raising vegetables and meat for local markets and planting trees. She took Humble Hands Harvest through its creative land acquisition process and developed it into a worker-owned co-operative. Hannah continues to farm, works as a Land Access Navigator with Practical Farmers of Iowa, and organizes for a transformed and life-generating landscape, economy, and community.

Klaus grew up in NW Iowa and frequently helped his uncle, who raises corn, soybeans, and cattle, but he felt a deeper connection to the landscape through hunting, fishing, and trapping. This led him to appreciate the wild and uncultivated fractions of the midwest and learn much about the richness of the tallgrass prairie and pre-colonial cultures of the area.  He went to college in the Northeast, studying natural resource stewardship, but has spent many years in the West, working in regenerative ranching and wildlife research. He hopes that through FLIC, he can vouch for the value of wild places and help steer agriculture in the midwest towards healthy water, resilient native plant and wildlife populations, and a greater diversity of crops and people on the landscape.

Steve worked as Director of the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor, MI (‘78-81), during which time he managed and expanded a large, multi-material recycling program. He also researched, organized, & advocated for sustainable futures in various forms: renewable energy development, organic food and fiber production, implementing innovative public transit, and reducing pesticide use across the upper midwest. With his life partner Heidi, he moved to rural Winneshiek County in 1982. Over the next 50 years, they built an off-grid house with help from friends, co-managed Oneota Co-op, started Hometown Taxi, and taught at Decorah’s Outdoor Preschool under the alias ‘Cookie Monster’. While serving as an elected county supervisor, he spearheaded the successful efforts to pass the county’s original zoning ordinance. Steve and Heidi are parents to two daughters who live with their partners on the family homestead and they share in raising their grandson. Steve believes in creating alternative models for human activity and engaging in the processes needed to implement them at scale.

Rachael moved from Iowa City to Decorah with her husband and two daughters in 2022 to live as caretakers at ReRooted Connections, a non-profit serving as a rural educational hub. She has a background in special education, is a mentor for Red Oak Outdoor School, and teaches part-time at Kinderhaus preschool. Rachael is deeply committed to supporting local foods, community health, and equitable land access. She joined FLIC in 2024

Nick works in software development and helps his wife Dayna run Nettle Valley Farm, where they raise goats and native seeds. Having seen the challenges of land access firsthand, Nick recognizes the importance of FLIC's mission to transition farmland to the next generation of land stewards. In addition to serving on the board of FLIC, Nick also volunteers with local arts non-profits such as the Oneota Valley Community Orchestra and Mainspring. 

Jenn Ripp grew up on the east side of the Driftless Region, outside of Cross Plains, WI. They have been working in and around land related projects since early adulthood, specializing and being drawn to perennial crops and conservation. Currently they work for the Savanna Institute helping institutions adopt agroforestry, and general support for the adoption of agroforestry across the Upper Midwest. This work is focused on climate resilience through mitigation and adaptation practices, and how trees can help communities thrive. They currently have begun a 20 acre fruit and nut tree farm called Common Stock Farm, near Decorah, selling perennials of what will one day be common crops and growing annual vegetables for seed. The need for permanent land access in long term land stewardship and viable perennial production has focused their work on land access over the years. This work brought this wonderful group of people into their life, both in community and as a FLIC board member. 

Mo works for a small, family-run cidery in northeast Iowa. She’s been involved with local food, sustainable agriculture, and food co-ops for the last 15 years. She is excited to be involved with FLIC, trying to help solve the critical issue of land access for famers.

She and her spouse operate a tiny farm that specializes in seed crops, vegetables, and dye flowers. She also volunteers for the Oneota Film Fest Board.