Our Team
We are a network of farmers, landowners, and leading experts in the field of Restoration Agriculture. With extensive experience in agroforestry, USDA runoff management systems, Master Line, keyline design and perennial food systems, we specialize in transforming land into resilient, productive ecosystems. Whether you're starting fresh or restoring degraded land, RAD provides the expertise, resources, and hands-on support to create profitable, self-sustaining landscapes built to last for generations.
Mark Shepard
FOUNDER & LEAD CONSULTANT
Mark Shepard is a visionary leader in regenerative agriculture and the founder of Restoration Agriculture Development (RAD). With decades of hands-on experience, he has pioneered the integration of agroforestry, runoff management, and perennial food systems to create resilient, ecologically sound, and economically viable farm landscapes. As the steward of New Forest Farm in Wisconsin, Mark transformed a degraded row-crop farm into a thriving 106-acre perennial agricultural ecosystem, recognized as one of the first ecosystem mimicked farming systems in the United States.
Through innovative water management systems, adaptive mass-selection breeding, and holistic livestock integration, Mark has developed a practical, scalable approach to restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity, and ensuring long-term agricultural resilience. His award winning book, Restoration Agriculture, has inspired farmers worldwide to rethink conventional farming and to adopt nature-based, regenerative practices.
At RAD, Mark continues to guide landowners, farmers, and organizations in designing and implementing systems that restore degraded landscapes while producing abundant food, fuel, and fiber. His expertise in large-scale restoration projects, coupled with his unwavering commitment to working with natural ecosystems, makes him a sought-after consultant and educator in the field of Restoration Agriculture. Mark’s work is not only reshaping individual farms but also influencing the future of agriculture on a global scale.
Johann Rinkens
LEAD CONSULTANT
Johann Rinkens is a farmer, ecological designer, and expert in regenerative land relationships, with over 20 years of experience in organic farming and agroecology. As the co-founder of Fields Without Fences, he has dedicated his career to blending ecological restoration with agricultural production, helping farmers and land stewards create integrated, place-based farm systems. In his role as Lead Designer at Restoration Agriculture Development, Johann consults on agroecology and regenerative agriculture projects across the U.S. and internationally. His background in anthropology, agrarian land reform, and conservation informs his approach to designing functional, resilient agricultural ecosystems. A co-recipient of the Hugh Hammond Bennett Award for Conservation Excellence, Johann continues to provide thoughtful guidance and innovative solutions for building thriving, regenerative landscapes.
Jake Takiff
LEAD CONSULTANT
Jake Takiff is a farmer, land designer, and dryland Restoration Agriculture specialist dedicated to transforming arid landscapes into resilient, productive ecosystems. As the founder of Cedar Springs Farm in Western Colorado, he has spent years applying permaculture, agroforestry, and rotational grazing practices to regenerate soil, foster biodiversity, and improve water management. His hands-on experience running a working farm, combined with his role as project coordinator, consultant, and field manager for Restoration Agriculture Development (RAD), gives him a unique, real-world perspective on designing and implementing regenerative systems. From Colorado to Nicaragua and beyond, Jake has helped landowners restore degraded land, optimize water cycles, and create thriving agricultural landscapes built for long-term success.
Cliff Davis
ASSISTANT CONSULTANT
Cliff Davis is a regenerative land designer, farmer, and educator with decades of hands-on experience in permaculture, agroforestry, and sustainable farm development. After years of traveling and working on farms, he and his family transformed a clear-cut ridge top in Tennessee into a thriving, Restoration Agriculture farm. As the founder of Pig & Leaf and former owner of Spiral Ridge Permaculture, Cliff has helped countless farmers, homesteaders, and organizations create practical, resilient land systems. His hands-on, adaptable approach to farm design empowers landowners to take an active role in shaping their projects, offering practical,, actionable strategies.. Focused on the southeastern bioregion, Cliff provides expert consultation and tailored guidance to those looking to restore their land and build ecologically regenerative, sustainable farms.
Nick DiDomenico
ASSISTANT CONSULTANT
Nick DiDomenico is a regenerative land designer, farmer, and founder dedicated to restoring degraded landscapes through innovative agroecology and water management practices. As Co-Founder of Drylands Agroecology Research (DAR), Nick has led efforts to regenerate hundreds of acres in Colorado’s semi-arid climate. His work integrates terraforming, agroforestry, holistic grazing, and the S.T.U.N. method to create resilient food forests and water-harvesting landscapes. At Elk Run Farm, DAR’s research and education center, he cultivates diverse crops and manages integrated livestock systems that support ecosystem health. With a deep spiritual connection to the land and a commitment to community-driven restoration, Nick is at the forefront of Restoration Agriculture and climate resilience.
Trace Axtell
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR
Trace Axtell is a skilled bulldozer operator, consultant, and dedicated permaculturalist based at Cedar Springs Farm in Hotchkiss, Colorado. With a deep respect for back-to-the-land principles and ancestral skills, he combines hands-on experience with regenerative land practices to shape landscapes for resilience and productivity. Trace specializes in earthworks, water management, and agroforestry, using heavy equipment to implement USDA compliant runoff management systems, Master LIne systems, Flood-flow irrigation systems, swales, ponds, and other infrastructure. His passion for restoring the land and building self-sustaining systems makes him a valuable asset to Restoration Agriculture Development (RAD) and the communities he serves.
Meghan Brady
PROJECT AND OPERATIONS MANAGER
Meghan Brady is a skilled project and operations manager specializing in Restoration Agriculture and ecological restoration. As a key member of Restoration Agriculture Development (RAD), she plays a vital role in connecting clients with the appropriate consultants, managing project logistics, and ensuring smooth execution from planning to implementation. Alongside her work at RAD, Meghan is also the co-founder of Cedar Springs Farm in Western Colorado, where she and her family have applied permaculture, agroforestry, and rotational grazing techniques to regenerate their land. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of farm systems and ecological restoration, Meghan helps landowners navigate the process of transforming their properties into resilient, productive landscapes.