Board of Directors
Sherril Wells, Board Chair and Executive Director
Widow of Rodney Wells, Sherril retired from a three-decade legal career to turn Rancho de Rodney into a nonprofit - which she and Rodney had intended to do when they retired. She is the chief farmer and president of Rancho de Rodney. She performed the administrative functions of Rancho de Rodney when it was a commercial certified organic farm and continues to do so.
Sherril is a certified Master Gardener and Master Food Preserver and delights in educating others.
Derrick Selb, Secretary
Derrick lives in Santa Barbara, California, with his wife and two young children. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2004 and Antioch University SB in 2010. Derrick is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and runs a small private practice where he trains associates and provides mental health support to a diverse clientele. Derrick has worked with many different nonprofit mental health agencies in the past 15 years, but this is his first time being involved with a farm. He and his family maintain a small garden and have to consult with Sherril about some new issue just about every season.
Holly Owen, Treasurer
Holly is a certified Master Gardener, Master Food Preserver, and coordinator for the Fresno County, CA, University of California (UC) Master Food Preserver Program. She is also planning director for the city of Kingsburg, CA.
Calliope Correira
Calliope is passionate about fresh food access for all, especially to currently incarcerated people. She works with the nonprofit Land Together, which serves currently and formerly incarcerated individuals in healing using nature. She comes from an agriculture background and holds a Masters degree in Horticultural Therapy. Above all, she loves getting people dirty and hands in the earth!
Lover Joyce
Lover Joyce is Rodney’s cousin and a fellow Navy veteran. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and is the Chief Union Shop Steward and a Medical Assistant in Pulmonology at Kaiser Permanente in the Bay Area. Advocating for the voiceless is his passion.
Jean Shepherd
Jean Shepherd worked in healthcare for over 31 years, retiring in 2023 as a data analyst. She earned her Masters in Public Health at UCLA in 1982; a stint with the Peace Corps in the Central African Republic in the late 1970s refocused her career from the broadcast journalism of her undergraduate years to community health. Between the Peace Corps and graduate school, she championed the Nestle boycott over its infant formula marketing practices in Africa. She has also engaged in disability advocacy along with other human rights causes. She believes healthcare is a human right and that having access to fresh, healthy food is foundational to healthy communities. She lives in Tigard, OR, with her three rescue cats.
Alex Zubia
Alex Zubia - better known as “Xef” - is a visionary chef from Fresno, CA, whose culinary journey is deeply rooted in food sovereignty, indigenous traditions, and farm-to-fork sustainability. With a passion for reimagining food as medicine, Alex focuses on revitalizing ancestral foodways and empowering communities through healthier, culturally relevant cuisine.
As the creator and director of My Homies Kitchen, Alex leads a transformative movement that merges culinary arts with social justice, creating opportunities for individuals to heal, rebuild, and reconnect through food. My Homies Kitchen is a zero-waste kitchen, where sustainability is at the core of every meal. Through thoughtful sourcing, creative cooking, and a strong commitment to composting, Alex ensures that food waste is minimized and returned to the earth in a way that nourishes future growth. His work extends beyond the kitchen, integrating education, urban farming, and advocacy to create a holistic approach to community wellness.
At Rancho De Rodney, Alex brings his expertise and deep respect for the land to cultivate meaningful culinary experiences - where every dish tells a story of heritage, sustainability, and resilience. Whether through hands-on workshops, farm-to-table dinners, or mentorship programs, Alex remains committed to honoring the wisdom of the land while fostering a healthier, more connected future for the Central Valley and beyond.