We are happy to welcome California Climate Action Corps, Americorps, CSUMB College Corps and CSUMB Service Learners to Farm Discovery! We are embarking on a journey to support young adult development and cultivating experience in the workforce. They are gaining skills in environmental education, ag sector jobs and waste diversion programming.

Join us in getting to know our new team members!

Zoe Gonder

Americorp Service Member

I’m Zoe — our Americorps Service Member local to the Santa Cruz area. I hope to help further our education program, working closely with the kids to gain insight into the importance of informed education. All while learning/teaching how to help the earth in ways that simultaneously help our communities.

Mackenzie Eckles

Service-Learning Student Leader/ College Corps

My name is Mackenzie, and I serve as a Service-Learning Student Leader with Farm Discovery through the Service Learning Institute at CSUMB, as well as a College Corps Fellow. I am pursuing a B.S. in Marine Science with minors in Chemistry and Social Justice & Community Leadership.

Thea Henry

California Climate Corps Fellow

My name is Thea Henry, I am a CCAC Americorps Fellow at Farm Discovery at Live Earth. I am passionate about environmental health and the role that sustainable food systems can play in shaping our future. I recently graduated from Clark University with a Bachelors degree in Biology and a Masters in Environmental Science and Policy. I am excited to be serving here as a Zero Waste Lead!

Kelly Flynn

California Climate Action Corps Fellow

Kelly is working at Farm Discovery as a California Climate Action Corps fellow for the
2025-2026 service term. Kelly received her BA in psychology at UCSC, teaching
credentials at San Jose State University, and MA in education at the American College
of Education. Prior to joining Farm Discovery, she worked in the public schools for ten
years and independently taught homeschool students and tutored privately for five
years. Having thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2021, Kelly is an avid outdoor
enthusiast and loves to hike, backpack, and garden at her home in the Santa Cruz
Mountains.

We are also welcoming:

Edgar Diaz Aparicio (CSUMB College Corps)

Isabel Avelare (California Climate Action Corps)

Jordan Baum (CSUMB Service Learner)