A bit about us….
Board Of Directors
Laura Horst: Chair
A creative artist, with a passion for helping and serving others, learning to live in harmony with respect for Mother Earth. Laura believes all should have access to knowledge and resources to grow their own food. She hopes to help people learn about sustainable living, gardening and farming. With over 30 years experience in hospitality and creative arts, she has learnt how to take care of people and make them happy and comfortable. Laura was the Manager of Seven Circles Retreat Center, a non-profit for 5 years, and served on the board of directors.
Rosemarie Yamat
As an entrepreneur with extreme drive, Rosemarie has excelled year after year for past 15 years in the Holistic Health, Nutrition and Plant Medicine. She is a world traveler. She has backpacked on bicycle, through 13 different countries. Learning the way people live and how we can learn to live together as a beautiful and united front. Rosemarie believes in living off the land and creating space to be at one with nature while giving grace to Mother Earth. Children are our future, and t is important to Rosemarie to teach our youth the importance of regenerative farming and sustainability with love and gratitude for all things life and death.
Michelle Harper
For 30+ years has been a paralegal and has worked in several areas of law including family law, probate/estate planning, civil litigation, and bankruptcy. A Notary Public for 30+ years. Michelle has associates of science degree in paralegal studies. Has lived in Santa Cruz County since 2006 and grew up in Modesto California.
Eleanor Byrne
Eleanor Byrne is the owner/founder of I Can Play Outside - whose mission is to foster nature appreciation through immersive outdoor experiences. With a background in behavioral therapy, Eleanor works with children and families to create a positive environment, fostering social integration, learning strength, and play especially out of doors. She believes cultivating children’s love for Nature is essential for their well being, and for inspiring future generations to respect, protect, and preserve it. Eleanor is a camper, backpacker, sailer, and kayaker with a profound passion for exploring, understanding, and being in wild places.
Hamid Martin
Hamid is Passionate about LIFE, and how we can help each other to fully embrace this human experience. Professional snowboarder, massage therapist, landscape gardener, ecstatic dance facilitator. Active member and participant of the Mankind project for 15 + years. Hamid has practiced sustainable living, and permaculture for many years. Excited to teach people how to live off the land, grow their own food and be in harmony with nature.
Scope of work:
Sequoia Dharma will provide practical hands-on experiential education and personal development in the form of hands-on experiences, retreats, workshops and project based activities on rural land. Such opportunities will be provided to the public through single-day or short-term residency programs that aim to educate and inspire a deep and harmonious connection with mother earth through outward bound activities, arts, crafts, hands-on farming and sustainable development activities. The participation of underserved communities specifically, underprivileged youth, is an important aspect of Sequoia Dharma’s vision to create accessibility, beyond all socio-economic barriers that often-times divide.