Stefanie Bourcier
CEO
Stefanie holds an MS degree. Stefanie’s background is in field research and data analysis. She has been working with Farm Fuel Inc. since 2007 developing and implementing research projects on farms throughout California and in Baja California, Mexico.
Meet our Board of Directors
Larry Jacobs
Board Member
Larry Jacobs is President of Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo. Larry cofounded Jacobs Farm in 1980, a successful northern California organic farm. In 1986, Del Cabo was launched with a unique vision for social change and sustainability. Through the teaching of organic growing practices and by providing funding, management and organizational skills, Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo connects over 1,200 family farms in Mexico with North American consumers. In 2007, Larry co-founded Farm Fuel Inc., a company that exploits the “hot stuff in mustard” and anaerobic soil disinfection to eliminate soil diseases in high value crops as a replacement to toxic soil fumigants. In 2013, Larry and his wife Sandra launched the Great African Food Company, a Tanzanian company modeled after their work in Mexico to link organic production of small scale Tanzanian farmers to local and international markets.
Jim Cochran
Board Member
Jim Cochran is president of Swanton Berry Farm, a 75 acre certified organic farm on California’s Central Coast and has pioneered organic strawberry production. He is an active member of the Roots of Change Council.
Henry Smith
Board Member
A master carpenter, naturalist, expert mechanic, and biodiesel aficionado.
Ken Kimes
Board Member
Ken Kimes of New Natives organic greens is the president of Farm Fuel Inc. and organizes harvest and logistics for Farm Fuel Inc.
Research and Development
Diego Nieto
Research Director
Diego earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from San Jose State University and has worked in organic agriculture for over 20 years. Prior to Farm Fuel Inc., Diego was a research entomologist with UC Santa Cruz and Driscoll’s Inc., where he studied and developed sustainable pest management solutions. His areas of interest include biological control, farmscape diversification and biofumigation. Diego looks forward to broadening our understanding of soil amendments and uncovering new opportunities for their use.
Lucy Toyama
Research and Regulatory
M.S. Agriculture, Food and the Environment, Tufts University 2020. Lucy joined the Farm Fuel team full time in April 2016 with over three years of experience working in Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation and mustard seed meal research at the University of California, Santa Cruz. After a grad school hiatus she has returned part time to manage and assist with the regulatory and operational needs of Farm Fuel Inc. When she’s not at her computer, Lucy co-manages a 3.5 acre non-profit food access farm in Ipswich, MA growing mixed vegetables for a 200 person CSA and various donation partners.
Sales
Matt Shanks
Sales Manager
I’ve been in agriculture for over 33 years, and I’m really excited to be joining Farm Fuel, a grassroots company with huge growth potential. My passion has always been in organics, and Farm Fuel’s work with Mustard and the ASD process brings real value and innovation to growers. I’m looking forward to continuing the company’s traditions and exploring new opportunities for growth and product development.
Ysidro Munoz
Southwest Sales Representative
Built on a lifetime in the strawberry industry, I bring hands-on experience and a passion for innovation to modern agriculture. Having managed more than 500 acres and accumulated over 16 years of agricultural sales experience, I joined Farm Fuel to help growers improve productivity through sustainable practices. By introducing proven solutions such as Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) and mustard-based soil treatments, I help enhance soil health, optimize field performance, and support long-term success for growers.
Communications
Emmely Ramirez
Communications and Sales Operations Associate
With a bachelor’s degree in journalism, I discovered my passion for marketing during my third year of college while interning as a social media manager for Farm Fuel Inc. What started as a hands-on learning experience quickly turned into a career-defining moment—I fell in love with the power of digital storytelling and community engagement. Today, I’m proud to help grow the Farm Fuel Inc community and educate people about our products, blending my communication skills with a genuine passion for connecting people to something meaningful.
Production and Logistics
Joshua Alexander Walden
In Memorium
Kurt Jacobsen
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Entomology- University Of Arizona 1983 Kurt has worked in Organic Agriculture in California for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in organic production of fresh culinary herbs, specialty vegetables, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Kurt also spent time conducting contract research for a private consulting firm in Watsonville, CA and most recently spent two years as the National Organic Supply Manager for Driscoll’s of the Americas. For the past two years he has worked for Farm Fuel Inc as a Field Services Specialist focused on demand planning, logistics and consulting surrounding the Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation Program.