people

Jeff Adams wears many hats in the development of the Willow Springs project. Since 2006, he has been the steward and facilitator of the community. Jeff envisions the project as an opportunity to sculpt a place full of inspiring spaces where conceptual visions converge with real, practical action for the San Juan Ridge.
With a formal education in civil engineering (B.S.E., Princeton 1997), architecture and urban design (M.Arch. I, UCLA 2003), and permaculture design (Certified Designer, OAEC 2006), Jeff has been getting much in-the-field experience during the last five years of work on Willow Springs. More than anything else, he brings the wide perspective of a generalist and has applied the team-building skills from his architecture work to ensure the community operates in harmony. Jeff has recently begun Willow Springs Studios with the mission of applying the broad range of experience from his home base to local projects in North San Juan and to others looking to develop community projects with common values.

Ken Bebensee is a full-time, artist-in-residence specializing in exquisite custom electric guitars and basses under the name KB Guitars. He is also an enthusiastic tinkerer, constantly fashioning old materials into new functional forms (such as heating water from his wood stove). Ken works diligently on land projects including the orchard and community garden.

Ruby Turple has been cultivating a 1/2 acre of land at Willow Springs since 2002. Called Honey Circle Farm, Ruby grows a variety of vegetables, flowers, and berries using organic methods. She also sells seed starts each spring. This year, she co-founded the Sierra Seed Co-op with Rowen. Ruby has recently traveled to Italy and Africa to teach, learn, and expand awareness of farming.

Lebin St. John has many skills and talents, most notably his wide array of woodworking projects. Through his business, Elemental Arts, he has produced everything from exquisite tables to custom cabinets to finely contoured utensils and bowls. Lebin is an accomplished kenpo martial artist and longbow archer as well as a collector of different arms.

Rowen White has been developing a weaving and fiber arts collective since Fall 2008. She is also the co-founder of the Sierra Seed Co-operative along with Ruby. The mission of the co-operative is to promote sustainable, ecological vegetable seed production in Nevada County and surrounding Sierra foothill communities.

Mikhel Neshat is the newest member of the Willow Springs community. She brings with her a passion for healthy, vibrant food and happily nourishes everyone she meets. Mikhel is developing her passion for artisanal food and drink and hopes to help create a certified commercial kitchen in the community house for on-site production of sauerkraut, jun, and other similar products. She is also an integral member of the Pleasant Revolution bicycle music tour, which is currently preparing for its European tour out of her cabin.

