Who We Are

Our leadership team is dedicated to fostering a sustainable, innovative, and community-focused agricultural environment. Each member brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a shared vision for the future of farming. Together, they guide our farm with a commitment to environmental stewardship, agricultural excellence, and community engagement.

Nena serves as the Managing Director at Wally Farms, backed by over twenty years of unwavering dedication to sustainable food production and land stewardship. Her journey, influenced by her upbringing in Washington, D.C., and her Ecuadorian heritage, has led her to a path of advocating for environmentally responsible agricultural practices.
Before joining Wally Farms, Nena held pivotal roles in the sustainable agriculture sector, including leading the Texas Farmers' Markets through the COVID-19 pandemic, co-founding the women-owned and led granola company Sweet Deliverance, and managing the NYS Sheep & Wool Festival. Notably, her tenure at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture was a defining period where she spearheaded the Growing Farmers Initiative and the National Young Farmers Conference, both aimed at nurturing the next generation of farmers.
Nena's academic pursuits took her to the Royal Agricultural University in England, where she earned an MBA in Advanced Farm Management. Her dissertation delved into the business models for new entrants in small-scale vegetable production in the UK, showcasing her commitment to practical and sustainable farming solutions. Additionally, she manages her family's farm in the Andes of Ecuador, which includes a variety of livestock and demonstrates her hands-on approach to agriculture.
In her current role at Wally Farms, Nena is at the helm of strategic planning and program model development, setting the direction for the farm's future. Her leadership is marked by a commitment to transparency and unity, ensuring clear and op en communication within the farm's community as it grows. She is inspired by leaders in the field of sustainable agriculture, such as Fred Kirschenmann and Karen Washington, whose philosophies and actions resonate with her own, as well as the writings of the late Tom Lyson.
Nena is deeply involved in the development of public and farmer programming at Wally Farms, looking forward to enhancing the farm's role as a hub for sustainable agriculture acceleration, education, and innovation. Her vision includes integrating small-scale livestock to create a more dynamic farm ecosystem.
Beyond her professional life, Nena's passions include home cooking and hosting friends for meals often and dedicating herself to raising a proactive and aware child. These personal interests complement her professional goals, reflecting her holistic approach to life and work.
With a rich background in both the practical and theoretical aspects of sustainable agriculture, Nena Johnson's role as General Manager of Wally Farms is instrumental in advancing the farm's mission towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

Roger Cardinal serves as the Resident Architect & Design Director at Wally Farms. A registered architect in New York State with a Master’s in Architecture, Roger brings a wealth of experience in community development and masterplanning, having worked on university campuses across the country and agricultural environments in the Hudson Valley and Catskills. He is deeply committed to developing an architectural language that respects the unique character of each place, emphasizing sustainable land use and climate-responsive design. Roger believes in the power of architecture to shape communities, advocating for inclusive design processes that engage all stakeholders. His work focuses on creating spaces that not only foster a sense of belonging but also address broader issues of social inequality and environmental justice. At Wally Farms, Roger views the land as a living laboratory, where every project is an opportunity to explore the long-term impacts of design on both people and the environment. In addition to his role at Wally Farms, Roger continues to practice architecture independently, often collaborating with other architects, designers, and planners to push the boundaries of sustainable and socially responsible design.

Steward Farmers

At Wally Farms, we believe in the power of community and sustainable agriculture. Our Steward Farmers are the heart and soul of our farm, dedicated to cultivating the land with care, expertise, and a commitment to environmental stewardship. Each Steward Farmer brings a unique set of skills and a passion for farming that contributes to the vibrant tapestry of our agricultural community.

Danny Amend leads Far Out Container Farm, an innovative venture in sustainable agriculture using refurbished shipping containers for vertical hydroponic farming. This approach addresses crucial climate challenges by repurposing durable containers into efficient, movable farms that significantly reduce water usage and can operate in diverse environments, including disaster zones and areas facing water scarcity.
Raised in Santa Rosa, CA, with a deep-rooted connection to gardening and cooking from a young age, Danny's 25-year culinary career was profoundly influenced by his relationships with dedicated farmers. The devastating wildfires in his hometown in 2017 intensified his focus on climate change and fueled his passion for sustainable food production through hydroponics, exploring its potential to feed populations in an ecologically strained world.
Danny's favorite crop to grow and eat is spicy mustard greens, cherished for their versatility, health benefits, and the simple yet bold flavors they bring to both raw and cooked dishes. Reflecting on his upbringing, Danny credits the classic summer squash dishes from his family's garden as a foundational influence on his approach to food and farming.

Jo Galvis is a farmer and seed grower with roots in Colombia and New York. They grow open-pollinated and carefully selected vegetable seeds for regional seed companies, to increase the availability of climate-adapted seeds for local farmers. Jo participated in the Citywide Urban Agriculture Program as a student of Farm School NYC. Their farming experience includes working with Seed Savers Exchange in 2020 and Row 7 Seed Company in 2022. The work of Indigenous, Black, and migrant land stewards and food justice activists has been crucial in Jo's process of reconnecting with their family’s farming history and in envisioning seed liberation, sustainable farming and cooperation.

Carbon Sponge is a research-driven project that develops regenerative farming strategies to capture and store atmospheric carbon in healthy soils. By focusing on soil health, water retention, and biodiversity, Carbon Sponge aims to create climate-resilient agricultural systems that benefit both farmers and ecosystems. The project is currently growing white-grain sorghum at Wally Farms, alongside trials at other partner farms, to explore scalable practices that reduce emissions while strengthening local food systems. Guided by founder Brooke Singer, Carbon Sponge bridges art, science, and community engagement to inspire climate solutions that begin in the ground beneath our feet.

Ryan Surrano, from Athens, NY, is at the forefront of sustainable agriculture as a steward farmer at Wally Farms with his venture, Overstory. This business focuses on growing mushrooms and medicinal herbs on-site to produce organic functional foods and broths. Ryan's early experiences gave him a deep appreciation for plant growth, foraging, and conservation, this propelled him into a career centered around sustainable farming practices. Ryan earned a degree in Plant Science from SUNY Cobleskill, and has applied his expertise to both his entrepreneurial endeavors and his role at Wally Farms. Here, he has been instrumental in developing a comprehensive management plan that aims to enhance forest health, regeneration, and carbon sequestration, alongside forester Annabel Roberts-McMichael. Their collaborative work has successfully secured a Regen NY grant from the NYS DEC, focusing on increasing biodiversity and carbon storage through strategic replanting efforts.
In addition to preparing for the launch of Overstory in the fall of 2024, Ryan's efforts contribute to Wally Farms being recognized as a Plant Sanctuary through the United Plant Savers Network, highlighting his commitment to preserving threatened species and promoting forest stewardship. Outside of these professional pursuits, Ryan's personal life includes making music with his partner Aviva and enjoying time with their pets. Drawing inspiration from various figures and his passion for "Lord of the Rings" and music, Ryan's multifaceted interests reflect his approach to farming and creativity.
As Ryan looks to the future, he envisions Wally Farms continuing to serve as a model for sustainable agriculture and conservation, with Overstory playing a pivotal role in this vision. His dedication to teaching and implementing sustainable practices aims to foster a community well-informed about caring for our environment.

Annabel Roberts-McMichael (she/they) has an ecological forestry practice called tend & gather where she and her collaborative team work with farms, organizations and individuals to care for forests' health, resilience and biodiversity throughout Columbia County (and sometimes Greene and Dutchess). The core mission of tend & gather is to help people find joy and connection with the ecosystems where we live through hands-on tending of ecosystems, and experiencing wild foods. Wally Farms was one of her first clients and supporters as she began her small business in 2022 with inventorying and writing a forest care guide for their 1000 acres of regionally important contiguous forest, in collaboration with Ryan Surrano and others. They continue to implement forest care projects and offer educational opportunities at Wally Farms and around the county, with many thanks to all who have worked with them. You can reach Annabel at annabel@tend-and-gather.com

Sherwood D. Ludwig is the Operations Manager at Wally Farms, where he serves as a dependable right hand in the day-to-day stewardship of the farm's evolving ecosystem. With a background in small business, distillation, and independent film, Sherwood brings a unique synthesis of hands-on practicality and creative thinking to his work; qualities that have made him an integral part of Wally Farms’ experimental approach to sustainable agriculture.
He’s particularly passionate about systems that support people. Whether he's collaborating on hydroponic systems, coordinating a drone flight over the thousand acres of property, or refining internal operations and processes, Sherwood believes the real harvest is in the relationships we nurture. His approach to leadership is rooted in affirming others, offering guidance, and celebrating growth -- in all its forms.
Currently pursuing a degree in education at Russell Sage College, Sherwood’s long-term goal is to become a scientific communicator and elementary school teacher. He draws inspiration from figures like LeVar Burton, Nichelle Nichols, Carl Sagan, and Bill Nye; educators and advocates who made science accessible, joyful, and deeply human. He hopes to one day inspire the same sense of wonder in his future students that he continues to cultivate on the farm.
In his spare time, Sherwood enjoys fencing, bicycling, playing tabletop RPGs, and elevating the people around him — because every good story, like every good harvest, is best when shared. Qa'pla!

Aviva Tilson is an herbalist, farmer and formulator and is the founder of Apis Apotheca, a farm-to-face skincare company in the Hudson Valley. She combines a long history and deep understanding of autoimmunity, skin and modern health challenges with compassion and expertise in sustainable farming, and it's her mission to help others heal and feel comfortable and confident in their own skin. Thousands of people all over the world use her products, and her business is an example of how small-scale regenerative agriculture can make a big impact on people's lives and inspire a better world.

Aidan Kriese hails from the pecan bottoms of the Texas Blackland Prairie and from the oak and juniper savannah lands of the central Texas Hill Country. He is the instigator-operator of From Below Farm, using practices that go above and beyond organic to raise the happiest, healthiest chickens possible, moved daily onto fresh pasture, with the aim of producing nourishing food of the highest quality while growing topsoil, sequestering carbon, supporting wild biodiversity, and leaving the land better off for future generations. Aidan has years of experience working in organic farming, landscaping, and plant nurseries. He is also educated in the world of permaculture, and he has an ongoing interest in agroforestry systems, wild foods, and wilderness skills. Deeply troubled by the damage that industrial agriculture is doing to our planet, he strives in the long term towards a regenerative horizon with his farming ventures. He is honored to be hosted by Wally Farms and to be a participant in the greater non-human community of the Roeliff-Jansen Kill watershed, on the traditional territories of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican people.

Our Founders

Wally Farms' founders, Gigi Danziger and Albert Wenger, have consistently been at the forefront of advocating for climate action and resilience. Their commitment to fostering positive change and innovation has been evident throughout their careers, underpinning their approach to impactful initiatives. At Wally Farms, Gigi and Albert’s vision is instrumental in shaping the farm's mission, which focuses on leveraging sustainable agricultural practices to combat climate change, enhance ecosystem resilience, and support community empowerment. Their dedication not only to creating lasting environmental solutions but also to nurturing a community that values sustainability, education, and collaboration makes them pioneering leaders in the movement towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

Walt Kiernan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role as the Infrastructure Manager at Wally Farms. With a strong educational background and a legacy in agriculture, Walt is a vital asset to the farm's ongoing success and growth.
Walt's technical proficiency is backed by his degrees and certifications from SUNY Cobleskill, where he earned an Associate Degree in Diesel Engines and Engine Technologies, a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Engineering, and a certificate in Surveying and Land Management. Additionally, he holds a Master Technician Certification from the Automotive Society of Engineers, with mastery in diesel engines, hydraulics, welding, electrical systems, and HVAC.
As a fourth-generation dairy farmer, Walt has a deep-rooted connection to agriculture that informs his holistic approach to farm management and infrastructure. His leadership roles across diverse agricultural platforms have honed his expertise, from hands-on technical skills to strategic operational oversight. This rich legacy provides him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the agricultural sector.
Walt's commitment to sustainable innovation is evident in his professional and community endeavors. His involvement in community governance highlights his dedication to public service and sustainable development. Walt believes that by integrating traditional farming wisdom with modern technology, he can help create sustainable and efficient agricultural systems that benefit both the environment and the community.
At Wally Farms, Walt is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the farm's physical and operational infrastructure. His role includes ensuring that the facilities are state-of-the-art and that processes are efficient, supporting the farm's mission of sustainable agriculture. Walt's expertise in diesel engines, hydraulics, welding, electrical systems, and HVAC enables him to tackle a wide range of technical challenges, ensuring that Wally Farms operates smoothly and sustainably.
Walt's passion for continuous learning and improvement drives his work. He is always looking for new ways to innovate and enhance the farm's infrastructure, making sure that Wally Farms remains at the forefront of environmentally responsible farming practices. His dedication to sustainable innovation underscores his passion for transforming agricultural paradigms, ensuring that Wally Farms not only thrives today but also paves the way for future generations of farmers.
In his personal philosophy, Walt emphasizes the importance of combining traditional agricultural practices with cutting-edge technology. This approach not only enhances the efficiency and sustainability of the farm but also preserves the legacy and heritage of farming for future generations. Walt Kiernan is more than just an Infrastructure Manager; he is a steward of the land, committed to creating a sustainable and prosperous future for Wally Farms and the broader agricultural community.