Kayla Ierlan is the farm manager for Organic Seed Alliance’s research farm in Chimacum, Washington. After graduating from the University of Washington with a bachelors degree in philosophy and human rights, she transitioned into farming and hasn’t looked back. Since then, Kayla has farmed in Hawaii, Washington, and Oregon and have spent the bulk of her career focusing on seed production. She has over 8 years of professional experience as a commercial seed grower and has managed several seed production farms including her own, Honey Bloom Farm, in southern Oregon. Over the span of Kayla’s career she’s grown a diverse range of seed crops for High Mowing Organic Seeds, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Fedco Seeds, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Baker Creek, Uprising Seeds, Sow True Seed, and more. She’s most passionate about connecting others to seed work and supporting fellow seed growers.
Cathleen McCluskey
Cathleen McCluskey is the Executive Director at Organic Seed Alliance. Her interdisciplinary research on the ways in which context influences the relationship between humans and seed helps guide the organization in further stewarding equitable, inclusive programs rooted in participatory methodologies and aimed at putting the power of seed in the hands of growers.
