Jim grew up on his family’s farm in Wheatland, California and has long roots in California agriculture. He completed his BS at the University of Nevada, Reno in 1990. He has worked for a fortune 500 company, a high tech startup, was a member of the Institute of Brewing in London and has brewed beer professionally on both coasts. In 2000 Jim returned to his family’s farm to grow mixed vegetables to sell at farmers’ markets, restaurants, and through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription. In 2012 Jim was asked to help teach business skills to new and aspiring farmers, which led to a position with the University of California Cooperative Extension in Auburn. While working for the Cooperative Extension, Jim helped expand market opportunities for small farmers and develop computer based tools that allow farmers to track costs and determine the profitability of their crops. Joining the student farm in 2016, Jim digs his time on a tractor, repairing equipment, and teaching students practical farming skills.