About Us
About Us
Judi Gregory, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Grow2Zero Farms, and owner of Go2Zero Strategies, LLC, has worked in the recycling and solid waste management field for more than 30 years. In 2013, Go2Zero was awarded Small Business of the Year by the California Small Business Administration. Senator Portantino’s Office recognized Judi as a 2028 Woman in Business Honoree in Environment & Sustainability.
Her experience includes work in various industry sectors with a strong focus in solid waste operations, Zero Waste planning, and educational design & development. Judi has an extensive background in operations and management of waste hauling and recycling firms, and from 1998 through 2012, owned a Los Angeles-based hauling firm, Global Waste Recycling. She built recycling programs at some of the world’s largest motion picture studios including Paramount, NBC, ABC, CBS, and Warner. From 2005 through 2013, Judi served as the Interim Executive Director and Certification Manager for the California Resource Recovery Association.
Leif Kemp is a United States Marine and combat veteran who served tours in Desert Storm and Somalia. Following his deployment, Leif enjoyed a successful 15-year medical device sales career. Recognizing the opportunity to make a big difference and pursue his passion for health and wellness, Leif focused on investing in veterans and others who find healing through regenerative agriculture. In 2014, Leif discovered Alegría Fresh, a regenerative organic urban farm company operating in Irvine, CA. In 2017, Leif earned his certificate as a Sustainable Resource Management Professional & Consultant through San Jose State University.
Leif is most compassionate about the veteran community and connecting with other vets to educate and assist them in transitioning their military leadership skills into a meaningful relationship within the communities they live. Leif believes practicing a zero-waste lifestyle, combined with consuming healthy, nutritious food using regenerative agriculture practices provides a strong foundation for vets to address some of the difficulties they face today. Leif promotes the powerful therapeutic benefits from creating healthy soil and nurturing plants to reduce the emotional and physical trauma many vets live with, and he is committed to making a difference through continuing to serve the veteran community.
Leif is an accomplished athlete (basketball, football, track and field) and an ocean lover. He dreams of one day traveling the country, seeking out the finest rivers and streams to perfect his fly-fishing stroke.
Erin has planted, maintained and harvested gardens throughout Los Angeles County, on behalf of Heart Beet Gardening, Grant Elementary School, Palos Verdes School Gardens, Vanguard Community Garden and Lawndale School District. She is a certified Master Gardener through the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension.
Her passion for the last 10 years has been garden education, and she has developed garden curriculum tailored to students of all ages, placing an emphasis on practical skills, regenerative practices, healthy food preparation, and composting organic waste.
Erin is the lead instructor for the introductory Future Urban Farmers Academy program, and program developer for the hands-on training program.
Kirsten Kelley has been a vital part of Grow2Zero for three years, where she has expertly managed the weekly food distribution program, collaborating closely with partner agencies to ensure seamless operations. In addition to her distribution role, Kirsten coordinates school installations and actively participates in Los Angeles County Smart Gardening workshops.
Her responsibilities also include overseeing sales and scheduling deliveries, all while supervising staff to maintain a cohesive and productive team environment. Kirsten’s dedication to sustainable practices and community engagement drives her contributions at Grow2Zero.
Jessica has worked in the parks and recreation sector as well as with water districts, Audubon Societies and nonprofits throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. She has professionally pursued her passion in environmental science through habitat restoration, fruit tree plantings, composting workshops and more.
She acquired her Future Urban Farmers Certificate in 2023 and has been a Composting and Recycling Ambassador in Long Beach since 2022.
Nathan Aragon was the first paid intern hired by Grow2Zero. He is a student at Long Beach City College pursuing a degree in Horticulture who loves playing the guitar, growing just about everything edible and useful, surfing, and enjoying nature through hiking and camping.
Nathan feels blessed and privileged to be a part of this organization, since he gets to do one of the main things he loves as a job
