Staff
Evrett Lunquist, Director of Certification
Raymond, Nebraska
evrett@demeter-usa.org
541-929-7148 x105
Evrett completed a self-designed bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota in sustainable food and agriculture systems, where he studied food science, agronomy, and infrastructures and cultural dynamics involved with the field to table journey of food. He began inspecting farms and processors for Demeter USA in 2001 and for numerous organic certifiers, has extensive inspection training from the International Organic Inspectors Association, and has worked as a certification reviewer for several certification agencies. He joined the Demeter USA staff in 2019. Evrett enjoys being able to bring his experience as a certified Biodynamic/organic farmer and an inspector to develop and streamline the certification process for all of Demeter’s licensees and seeing the integrity behind the certified products in the marketplace. He also enjoys navigating the amazing complex natural and technological worlds we live in alongside family and friends. Mountain biking and carpentry projects get fit in every now and then.
What is most inspiring or meaningful to you about biodynamics? Plants, animals, and people are alive, and biodynamics recognizes this and allows us to work with and enhance these living forces.
Sarah Rhynalds, Certification Manager
Millheim, Pennsylvania
sarah@demeter-usa.org
541-207-1660
Sarah grew up a farm girl in the heart of Nebraska. After graduating from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in horticulture, her biodynamic journey began while working at Progressive Gardens, where Evan Folds introduced her to the preparations and the teachings of Rudolf Steiner. This was her awakening moment, as she had finally found a way of life and a way of farming that is all interconnected as she always knew in her heart. Sarah enjoys connecting with new people interested in becoming Demeter certified, helping them make sense of the certification process, and personally connecting with current clients, assisting them all to obtain certification and support the biodynamic movement. She also enjoys seeking out local healthy food, feeding her family as close to home as possible, growing her family’s food in her little biodynamic garden, music, dancing, and spending time with her best-est little buddies, Weaver and Winslow, her 10- and 7-year-old sons!
What is most inspiring or meaningful to you about biodynamics? She believes with all her heart that our whole world relies on the top 6 inches of soil—and through that small space of soil we will heal the earth through agriculture.
Andy Bennett, Certification Services
North Albany, Oregon
andy@demeter-usa.org
541-760-9328
Andy earned a B.S. in agriculture from Oregon State University, giving him a good educational foundation. He brings real-life experience from 11 ½ years with Norpac Foods Field Department and 11 ½ years with Stahlbush Island Farms as Field Rep and Crop and IPM Advisor to the Farm Management and owners; inspecting farms since 2001 with the Food Alliance, USDA NOP Organic as a Senior Staff Farm Inspector with Oregon Tilth; and since 2014 as a part-time Certification Staff Inspector and Initial Reviewer with Demeter. He enjoys visiting farms and processor facilities, meeting the growers and their employees, and knowing that these farmers are making the difference of healing our planet through agriculture. Andy lives on three beautiful acres in rural Benton County, Oregon. He has taught an ongoing free tai chi class in Corvallis, Oregon, for the past 26 ½ years; he is a children’s book author; and he has wonderful grandkids and enjoys spending time with my family and friends.
What is most inspiring or meaningful to you about biodynamics? A most inspiring part of biodynamics is the universal life forces that are all around us, which can manifest themselves in the foods we grow and eat, the air we breath, and the lives that we live.
Demetria Hill, Certification Reviewer
Kansas
demetria@demeter-usa.org
541-636-9312
Demetria has a bachelor’s in journalism. Her professional background is as a grain and livestock farm laborer and manager. Other work includes National Organic Program contract inspections. Demetria enjoy helping people reach their certification goals — as well as raising plants and animals and cooking.
What is most inspiring or meaningful to you about biodynamics? Biodynamics inspires me to look at systems with a holistic view.
Natalie Brinkley, Certification Specialist
Virginia
natalie@demeter-usa.org
541-929-7148 x210
Natalie brings experience with the Josephine Porter Institute as Gardener/Office Assistant, with Grgich Hills Estate as a sales associate and guest biodynamic educator; and as co-owner of a biodynamic preparation-making and educational business. She has earned Waldorf Teacher and Curative Educator certificates and served as a Waldorf teacher and an organic crop inspector. Natalie enjoys working with like-minded people for a common goal of a more healthy, balanced, and connected way of living. She also enjoys wild-crafting, hiking, dancing to live music, gardening, and playing with her children.
What is most inspiring or meaningful to you about biodynamics? That we’re being asked to cultivate imagination, inspiration, and intuition.