Suzanne’s wife and partner, Lanita Witt (August 26, 1950 to December 15, 2022), was born in the Texas High Plains with the vast horizon in all directions, a dark star-filled sky, and a vegetable garden. Her family roots were in German homestead farms in South Texas. Higher education included undergraduate at Texas Woman’s University, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, UCLA Hospitals and Clinics Residency in OB and Gyn, and a house building course in Bath, Maine.
Suzanne and Lanita met in 1979 and in 1984 searched out a place in a rural environment – not too deep in the woods, with a good school for their daughter Brooke. The 445 acres that is the land of Willow-Witt Ranch, and now the home of educational non-profit The Crest and The Forest Conservation Burial Ground, met those needs and more. Suzanne and Lanita learned about forest health and resilience through the Master Forest Manager course at OSU Extension in their first years on the ranch. Since 1985, they focused on restoring balanced working forests and wetlands, and improving wildlife habitat. Willow-Witt Ranch is committed to land conservation, restoration, and regenerative organic agriculture.
Laura is the proud mom of two young girls, a seasoned trail runner, mushroom forager, and music appreciator. Her newest hobbies include perfecting her pizza recipes, setting new PR’s on the ranch’s Turtle Trot loop, and finding her way into birding circles. She also promises some day she will learn to sew and write her magnum opus on the guitar.
Daniel grew up on his parents’ farm outside of Eugene. There he gained an early appreciation for farming and the environment. In high school he enrolled in the Rachel Carson Environmental Science Academy where he learned broad sustainability concepts, practical restoration skills, and became a certified master recycler.
He followed his passion for the environment into college, graduating with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and a Minor in Outdoor Adventure Leadership from Southern Oregon University. During his studies, he learned about sustainable development, food systems, and environmental policy. For his Capstone, he designed, created, and implemented a botanical tour showcasing trees on campus. Daniel grew his farming knowledge while interning with the Berggren Demonstration Farm in Springfield Oregon. He also was Trip Leader for the SOU Outdoor Program in college.
After starting at Willow-Witt Ranch in January of 2018, he has found a lot to love here at the ranch. The land seems to offer endless opportunities to support the community, not only with the bounty of food but also with its wealth of knowledge, history, and beauty. He thinks the work here is an excellent way to grow his love of farming, environmental education, and leadership.
In addition to her business acumen, Mia is a dedicated yoga instructor and a compassionate birth doula based in Ashland. Her work at The Ranch and The Forest is a perfect convergence of her diverse experiences, allowing her to explore and integrate the profound connections between life and death.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Mia embraces an active and creative lifestyle. On weekends, you can find her hiking with her Australian Shepherd, trail running in the watershed, or painting by the river.
Jake earned a degree in outdoor education and recreation from the University of Minnesota – Duluth on the north shore of Lake Superior and gateway to the north woods of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. He also discovered the sport of ultimate frisbee and would spend two decades playing, coaching, and organizing the sport.
Jake has always worked in experiential youth programs, from nature centers to team building and leadership development field trip destinations. He was the first executive director of Minnesota Ultimate, a youth sports-focused non-profit governing the sport in Minnesota.
In 2019, Jake sold his urban St. Paul home and has been living and working remotely from his off-grid converted camper van; largely in the mountain west. He is taking the next step in his pursuit of simple living and access to wild and natural places, joining the team at Willow-Witt Ranch with his constant companion and adventure buddy, Cedar.
Drew attended College of the Siskiyous in Weed, California where he earned a degree in Communications and graduated from the Firefighter Academy.
Drew worked as a firefighter for 8 years before moving to Oregon in 2023. That same year, Drew found Willow-Witt Ranch where he has enjoyed working outdoors, taking care of animals, gardening and being a part of our team.
