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ABOUT KCAA:
We’re a board of volunteers dedicated to connecting our community with the farmers who grow their food. We’re passionate about supporting these farmers—telling their stories, raising awareness of government policies that impact local agriculture, supporting local food hubs, providing resources and guidance for new and beginning farmers, and nurturing the next generation by investing in local FFA and 4-H programs.
I’m not a farmer, but my hands certainly get dirty. From weeding my mother’s garden (reluctantly), to tearing up lawn in the 1960s to plant basil and tomatoes, and now tending a large vegetable patch at my home outside Poulsbo—growing and learning have always been staples in my life. I arrived in Kitsap County about 35 years ago and joined the Kitsap Community & Agricultural Alliance (KCAA) about fifteen years later. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to grow, learn, and connect with the farmers and farm-friendly folks who make this community so special. I was elected President of the Board just before the disruption of COVID-19, and am now actively working to re-energize this incredible organization. Since retiring from teaching at Kingston High School, I’ve been able to dedicate more time—though never quite enough—to KCAA. I find the work endlessly fascinating, challenging, inspiring, and rewarding.
BOB GEBALLE, PRESIDENT
I come from a long line of farmers and homesteaders, though I grew up in the suburbs of Sacramento, California. My husband’s military career took our family all over the world before we settled in Kitsap in 2021. The following year, we bought a small piece of land and co-founded Happy Grounds Farm and Animal Sanctuary in Poulsbo—now home to 40+ rescue farm animals (and our four children!)
I’ve spent much of my adult life rediscovering my grandparents’ ways—growing and canning food, caring for animals, and reconnecting with the land. Through my work with the KCAA, I collaborate with local farmers and organizations to create educational opportunities for new and beginning farmers. I also oversee communications, including our website, social media, and email outreach. This passion also extends to my work as the author and researcher behind KCAA’s Barns of Kitsap initiative, a project dedicated to sharing the stories of historic barns and farms in our community.
Within the greater Kitsap Ag community, I am proud to serve on the Kitsap Agritourism Coalition’s Farm Tour Committee, and as a Farmer-Livestock representative on Kitsap County's Agriculture Advisory Council. I’m passionate about preserving local heritage and sharing the stories that bring our community together.
KARISSA HOLCOMBE, VICE PRESIDENT
ERIKA ANDERSON, SECRETARY
I’m a community advocate, farmer, and nonprofit leader working to support food sustainability, farm viability, and equitable food systems in Kitsap County. I work closely with farmers, farmers’ markets, and farm-based programs to strengthen local food economies, increase access to fresh and culturally appropriate food, and reduce barriers for both producers and community members.
I own Sunshine Acres Family Farm in Port Orchard, where I focus on small-scale, community-centered agriculture. I also bring years of experience as a farmers’ market vendor, board member, and market leader, which gives me both hands-on and leadership-level perspective on building strong, inclusive local food systems.
GENO HOLCOMBE, TREASURER
I retired from the U.S. Navy in 2024 after 23 years of submarine service. The Navy took me all over the world, but my life started on a farm in Minnesota, where I grew up eating fresh food from the garden in the summer and Grandma canned vegetables for the winter. Living in large cities during my Navy career helped me appreciate just how vital farmland and agriculture are to a healthy community—and how important it is for our children to understand that food doesn’t just come from a grocery store shelf.
After my final tour, my wife Karissa and I decided to make Washington our permanent home. We purchased a small piece of property to bring Karissa’s dream of creating an animal sanctuary to life. When I’m not working at NUWC Keyport, I’m usually tackling projects around the farm, improving fencing (a never-ending battle), or shuffling our four kids around Kitsap County for sports and other activities.
I grew up on a 20-acre diversified farm in South Kitsap, where our family raised cattle, hogs, chickens, and an abundance of produce. After seven years of active duty in the U.S. Army as a nuclear weapons specialist, I spent my civilian career with the Navy, developing and implementing new programs and initiatives. For more than 35 years, I’ve been deeply involved in farmland preservation and agricultural policy—helping shape county plans and offering direct, hands-on support to local farms. I work closely with farmers to provide mentorship and assist with time-sensitive projects that call for specialized skills and experience.
As a founding and continuing member of the KCAA's Board of Directors, a current Board Member of the Mason-Kitsap County Farm Bureau, and an Agricultural Specialist on Kitsap County's Agriculture Advisory Council, I remain dedicated to strengthening and protecting local agriculture. You can often find me at public meetings advocating for agricultural land use and policy.
SCOTT HALL, FOUNDING MEMBER AND BOARD MEMBER
I’m a lifelong resident of North Kitsap. My family owns and operates Woodpecker Hill Farms in Poulsbo, where we raise beef and pork, produce honey, and host events that connect our community with local agriculture. In addition to running our farm, I’m actively involved in supporting agriculture across the region. I currently serve as President of the Mason-Kitsap Farm Bureau and am a member of the Kitsap Farmland Preservation Coalition, the Kitsap Agritourism Coalition, and the Kitsap Conservation District.
Within KCAA, I focus on government relations—coordinating opportunities for farmers to engage with local leaders on agricultural issues. What I love most about our community is its natural beauty—the saltwater landscapes, thriving farms, forests, and, most of all, the people who make Kitsap such a special place to call home. I enjoy spending time with my wife and our four children, especially when we’re working together to plan community events or take on new projects around the farm.
JEREMY ANUNSON, BOARD MEMBER
I was born and raised in Washington State and have developed a lifelong passion for agriculture, land stewardship, and strengthening connections between farmers and the community. I currently help manage a local farm and am actively involved with the Kitsap Agritourism Coalition, where I support efforts that promote local agriculture and agritourism. My background includes landscaping, market gardening, permaculture, vermicomposting, rainwater harvesting, solar installation, and regenerative agriculture, all of which reflect my commitment to sustainable and resilient farming practices.
As the owner of Quantum Reach Business Solutions, I bring communication and technology expertise to the KCAA, and I am dedicated to helping advance its mission, preserve agricultural heritage, and inspire future generations to value and engage with local agriculture.
RYAN CROSSEN, BOARD MEMBER
I was born and raised in Pullman, Washington where my family grew wheat, peas and lentil crops. I participated in 4-H with my Arabian mare, Farrah and enjoyed gaming and barrel racing and showed in the Whitman County Fair in Colfax, Washington every year. I relocated to Kitsap County in 2008 to join family over here because I had always loved the coastal diversity and shorter winters.
In 2020, I served as an Americorp with Kitsap Harvest and was introduced to many farms and orchards around the county. In 2021, I accepted a part-time position with Kitsap Fresh and immediately knew it was something wonderful for our community. I now manage the warehouse operations and am putting all my efforts into helping it evolve into a sustainable food hub for farmer and food producers in Kitsap County. I joined KCAA to help build stronger connections between farmers, consumers, and fellow producers, supporting and strengthening our agricultural community.
MARY MCKEIRNAN, BOARD MEMBER
My wife Julie and I moved to Hansville in September 2022 after spending considerable time searching for the “right” home. We found it on a small three-acre mini-farm just across from the Point No Point upper trailhead. We’re happy there with our two mini horses and an Irish Draught, along with a 16x28 greenhouse where I grow vegetables year-round.
I grew up in a rural town in the foothills of North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountains, where we raised chickens and grew much of our own food. After more than 20 years in Seattle, we felt it was time to return to that way of life. My career has taken many paths, most centered around serving and connecting with others. The most meaningful was my 14 years as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in northern Spokane County. I’ve also spent much of the past two decades managing large technology integration projects across Asia and Europe. I look forward to bringing those planning and communication skills to my role with the KCAA—because for me, it’s always been about the people.
I believe the rural lifestyle is under increasing pressure. While people once moved toward cities, rising housing costs are now driving growth into rural communities. I hope to advocate for balance—helping preserve the way of life that matters to so many of us here in Kitsap County.
RON CARSON, BOARD MEMBER
ASHLEY KENNEDY, BOARD MEMBER
I returned home to the Pacific Northwest after my military service, continuing a long family legacy of farming on the Olympic Peninsula. From my great-grandparents’ rabbit farm—supplying meat to grocery stores from Port Angeles to Bremerton—to my father’s childhood spent working his grandfather's land, agriculture has always been part of my family’s story. Today, I’m proud to carry that relationship with the land forward.
I came to the KCAA with both intention and a vision. As a Social Worker, I work from a systems framework. The reality is that suicide rates among farmers is 1 in 3, and rural communities are suffering—not only economically, but socially and emotionally as well. Farmers are aging, land is rapidly changing hands, and too many in agriculture are struggling in silence. I am working to connect schools with local farms to create hands-on learning opportunities and develop internships that can nurture these growing interests. I believe our youth have the power to keep farms in the hands of local farmers rather than industrial corporations—but creating meaningful opportunities for them to build their own connection to this work is essential. I’m grateful to be part of that effort, getting our hands dirty for the benefit of generations to come.
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NIKKI JOHANSON, FOUNDING MEMBER AND BOARD ADVISOR
Nikki is a lifelong resident of Kitsap County, a farmer, and a dedicated community leader. She is the owner and steward of Pheasant Fields Farm, a family-run operation in Silverdale, Washington, that has been in her family for more than 70 years. Nikki’s mission has always been to teach visitors about agriculture and the value of locally grown food.
Throughout her life, Nikki has been deeply involved in strengthening Kitsap's agricultural community. She has publicly advocated for policy, representation, local food systems, and farmland preservation. She is a founding member of the Poulsbo Farmers Market, former board member of the Kitsap Conservation District, 2016 Kitsap County Farmer of the Year, and a pioneer of Agritourism in the community. She is a founding member of the Kitsap Community & Agricultural Alliance (KCAA) and currently serves as an Advisor to its Board of Directors, working tirelessly at both the county and state levels to ensure that agriculture remains a vital part of Kitsap’s landscape and economy.
MARILYN HOLT, FOUNDING MEMBER AND BOARD ADVISOR
Marilyn brings generations of experience to Kitsap County agriculture, with family roots in farming dating back to the 1800s. She is the fourth generation to steward her family’s farm in the Brownsville area of Poulsbo, known today as Walker Meadows. Marilyn and her husband, Cliff, operated Abundantly Green for many years—Kitsap’s only certified organic farm. With decades of hands-on field and farmers market experience, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge and wisdom that continues to guide KCAA’s work in support of local agriculture.
In addition to her work in agriculture, Marilyn is an accomplished science fiction author and entrepreneur. She has also played a key role in shaping Kitsap County’s agricultural codes and policies, including comprehensive plan updates and the formation of the Food and Farm Policy Council in 2009. A founding member of KCAA alongside Nikki Johanson, she now serves as an Advisor to the KCAA Board, who are deeply grateful for her knowledge, experience, and steady guidance.
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