PATRICK MITCHELL I FARM OPERATIONS+CULTURAL CENTER MANAGER
Patrick Mitchell is the Program Director, Farm Ambassador and Lead Instructor for the EAT! Cultural Center & Farm, and represents the fifth generation of his family to work in American Agriculture. He is the author of two books and more than a dozen peer-reviewed and popular articles.
Patrick has 20-plus years’ experience in ecological horticulture and land-based education and has managed public parks and natural areas, resort landscapes, historic sites and horse ranches.
For the past decade, Patrick has taken a hands-on role in various market scale farm operations including growing and marketing culinary herbs, citrus, diversified vegetables and specialty crops. Patrick is a scholar of the relationship between nature and culture, and believes deeply in the transformative power of putting one’s hands in the soil.
ARELI ALANIS MENDOZA I SMALL FARM AMBASSADOR & INSTRUCTOR
Areli serves as Small Farm Ambassador and Bilingual Instructor for the EAT! Cultural Center & Farm embodying a pioneering spirit as the first generation in her family to work in California agriculture. With a profound connection to Mexico's agricultural heritage, Areli’s upbringing instilled in her a deep rooted passion for farming, inherited from generations before her.
Currently pursuing higher education in agriculture, Areli’s academic journey has been enriched by practical experiences, including an internship with the Upland Unified School District in partnership with FoodCorps. Committed to community service, she furthered her impact by working with Huerta Del Valle on local agricultural initiatives, championing sustainable practices and food security.
Combining academic insight with hands-on expertise, Areli has been distributing, growing and having the most wonderful conversations about food in the community since and hopes to continue to do so for years to come. With an unwavering dedication, she aspires to continue her efforts in empowering communities locally and globally by bridging the gap between art, education and our relationship with the land.
KACEY DONNER I SMALL FARM AMBASSADOR & INSTRUCTOR
Kacey is the EAT! Riverside Small Farm Ambassador, and mentors program apprentices with enthusiasm, fostering a sense of inclusivity and connection. Since joining the EAT! Team, she has guided students through essential skills in ecological farming, such as composting, building garden beds, laying irrigation, trellising tomatoes, pruning fruit trees, and preparing produce for the farmers market.
Kacey holds a B.A. in Anthropology with a focus on the rise and fall of civilizations, noting how societies care for their people and environments. She is certified in soil microscopy and permaculture design, and served three years with AmeriCorps, leading community volunteer and educational events on compost and soil health.
Kacey is passionate about exploring what an ecologically sustainable life looks like—a lifestyle where meeting human needs has a positive impact on the environment.
CHRIS FAUCHER MA+MS I DIRECTOR OF AG PROGRAMS
Committed to Teaching Hearts, Opening Minds and Transforming Lives, Chris has worked with diverse populations and age groups during his career. Inspired by the dynamic synergy between Education, Transformation and Transition, his path has taken him on a journey through teaching, curriculum development, organizational leadership and community outreach.
Whether creating programs for young-adults on the road to personal recovery, innovating programs for system-involved/impacted adults transitioning back to their communities, or challenging college students to go beyond themselves by combining academics, global exploration and aid work, Chris is driven by a passion to creatively connect ideas, people and experiences.
Chris holds Master’s Degrees in Organizational Leadership and Education, and has been the Southern California Assistant Director of Career Technical Education at Five Keys since 2014 where he currently specializes in Apprenticeship-Readiness, Agriculture and Wellness Programs.