Pat Reynolds
General Manager
Pat Reynolds is a restoration ecologist with more than 30 years of professional experience in the design, implementation and monitoring of habitat restoration projects including the effective use of native seed. He is the Director of River Partners’ Native Seed and Plant program, the former General Manager of Hedgerow Farms and a past Associate Restoration Ecologist at H.T. Harvey & Associates. Pat sits on the board of the California Native Grasslands Association, the Yolo County Planning Commission and is the Restoration Ecologist on the Science and Technical Advisory Committee for the Yolo County Habitat Agency. In the habitat restoration profession, Pat is known for his integrity, friendliness, and habitat restoration expertise. He brings his in-depth knowledge of habitat restoration to every project and particularly enjoys providing recommendations to clients and collaborating with partners. His unique set of skills and expertise are an asset to every restoration project he partners on.
Michele Ranieri
Operations Manager
Michele Ranieri has worked in organic farming for much of her 15-year career, and in the past 6 years has dedicated her talents to the operational aspects of bringing native seed, plugs, and native grass straw to market. Much of the success of native seed companies revolves around successfully navigating the numerous detailed tasks associated with tracking native seed from wildland stock seed collections through to providing seed to the customer. Michele’s high degree of organizational skills combined with her experience in the industry has allowed her to quickly develop the systems needed to scale up Heritage Growers.
Rich Peltzer
Farm Manager
Rich has 24 years of experience in commercial farming and agricultural science, including as a UC Davis Agriculture Supervisor in pomology. Rich earned his BS in Agriculture Science from Chico State and is a Certified Crop Advisor. Additionally, he is a Pest Control Advisor and Qualified Applicator. Rich’s responsibilities include crop cultivation, irrigation, seeding, and harvest. He also manages vendors and labor, oversees equipment acquisition and maintenance, and is responsible for the warehouse and facilities.
Mason Shorts
Seed Cleaning and Warehouse Manager
With a diverse background in commercial farming and warehousing, Mason has experience working as an on-farm research technician and in greenhouse and nursery management. He holds a BS in Crop Science from Chico State. Mason plays an integral role in the success of the farm, leading seed cleaning and on-farm seed storage, assisting with crop cultivation, irrigation, and harvest, equipment acquisition and maintenance, managing the warehouse and facilities, and supervising labor and vendors.
Haleigh Holgate
Wildland Seed Collection Manager
Haleigh Holgate is a wildland seed collection specialist with 4 years of professional experience in plant science. She is an emerging professional with a bachelor’s degree in ecological restoration from Cal Poly Humboldt. She has led several seed collection projects and conducted germination trials on more than 50 California native species. She works with the Heritage Growers Management team to manage the collection, processing, and inventory of wildland-collected source-identified native seed. The wildland native seed collection process includes the identification of wildland seed collection locations, obtaining permission to collect, monitoring ripeness, seed collection, seed conditioning, seed testing, and managing seed inventory.
Jorge Quintana Moreno
Native Seed Cleaning Mill Operator
Jorge has 7 years of work experience in the farming sector. His work has involved the production of mushrooms, processing of grain crops, equipment maintenance, fulfilling orders and related tasks. Jorge’s responsibilities include operations of our cleaning mills, bagging and tagging seed, warehouse operations, and order fulfillment.
Joan Bosque
Demonstration Garden Coordinator
Joan is a master gardener and has been working with seed for over a decade. She co-founded the Chico Seed Lending Library in 2013, and worked in field operations at Hedgerow Farms, where she learned about producing source-identified native seed at scale. Joan earned a degree in photography from the University of Washington and enjoys capturing the beauty of plants on hikes, in her garden, and in the fields at Heritage Growers. As the Demonstration Garden Coordinator, Joan works on the design, planting, maintenance, and seed harvest in Heritage Growers’ demonstration garden.
Tyler Alderete
Native Seed Cleaning Mill Operator
Tyler brings 5 years of experience in row crops and seed production to the Heritage Growers team. Additionally, he brings a range of mechanical skills to help fix and keep equipment up and running. Expanding his agricultural knowledge, he received his education in agriculture business at Chico State and welding certifications from Butte College. His role at Heritage Growers’ operation will have him working closely with the Farm Manager and the Seed Cleaning and Warehouse Manager to assist with cultivation, irrigation, track, and log sprays, and, most importantly, help with harvest.