Our Roots & Our Journey
A Vision for a Better Way
Our story begins where we met: as students at the University of Vermont (UVM). Though our career paths diverged, we remained bonded by a shared, purpose-driven vision—to prove that there is a better, more resilient way to approach agriculture.
In 2024, we officially began this journey. We combined Shane’s deep, hands-on experience in regenerative agriculture with John’s desire to apply his professional business and operational experience to a venture with true impact. Together, we are utilizing the principles of permaculture and agroforestry to revive soils that have been depleted by past practices.
Located on 135 acres in Livingston, New York, Opal Grove is our living laboratory. We honor and acknowledge that this land was stewarded for millennia by the Mohican and Munsee Lenape people. By respecting the past, we are co-creating new stories in the ongoing legacy of this landscape.
Opal Grove is our first major proof of concept. Our ultimate goal isn't just to grow healthy food here, but to scale this model out—helping others transform their own land into vibrant, regenerative food forests.
