Natana Roots (she/her)

Natana was drawn to her role as Assistant Farm Manager at Gould Farm in 2019 due to her passion for community and agriculture. Growing up in the area, she was familiar with the Farm from a young age, as her late father was friends with Bob Rausch, a longtime staff member at the Farm. This early awareness, combined with her extensive background in farming and education, made Gould Farm a natural fit.

With nearly 15 years of experience in farming and farm-based experiential education, Natana has raised sheep, pigs, and poultry, worked in vegetable production, and contributed to various nonprofit farms. These organizations focused on sustainable food systems, providing educational programs for both children and adults. She also served as Operations & Membership Director for the National Young Farmers Coalition, an advocacy organization working to shift power and change policy to equitably resource the new generation of working farmers.

As the Assistant Farm Manager, Natana finds great meaning in the shared purpose of stewarding the land and nourishing the community through the food we produce. She believes that working in nature alongside animals can be transformative. Animals, she believes, can read energy and demand honesty, sensitivity, flexibility, patience, and trust, teaching those who care for them how to nurture themselves.

Natana holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, where she studied visual arts and social sciences. She has also pursued extensive professional development in pasture and grazing management and animal herd health.

When she’s not taking care of 30 cows, 2 sheep, and 2 dogs, Natana can be found riding horses, both in the ring and on the trail.