Our Team
Keira Farmer- Founder
Keira is a New Hampshire native and professional farmer. She holds a BS in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from the University of New Hampshire.
Following college, Keira spent four years in event management for a national robotics company based in New Hampshire. Keira is the owner of Yankee Farmer’s Market (1998) and Pitcher Mountain Farm (2013). Yankee Farmer’s Market is a bison farm with farm store allowing the community a place to get locally raised, quality meats and other farm products. Pitcher Mountain Farm is dedicated to raising grass-fed Scottish Highland cattle and bison and focuses on the production of hay. She manages all daily operations of the farms including sales, marketing, concessions, animal procurement, processing, and wears a few other hats. She also works as a consultant in farm development.
Keira founded Holistic Roots in 2023 as a way to inspire others to questions where and how their food is raised. With her love of experiential education and commitment to share her passion for, and knowledge of, agriculture, health, wellness, nutrition, education, and holistic practices with her community, the non-profit was formed.
Keira is also a mother of 3 kids, Kaley (23), Ella (20) and Sam (17) . She is an alpine ski coach with thirty years of experience. She loves family adventures, skiing, traveling, farming, biking, kayaking, swimming, and camping
Brian Farmer- Founder
Brian began raising bison at the age of sixteen in southern New Hampshire. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire and currently splits his time between engineering and farming.
Following college, Brian spent 8 years working in the non-profit engineering sector, specializing in project management, event management, and fundraising for a national robotics competition.
Brian ultimately returned to his first passion, founding Yankee Farmer's Market in 1998. In this role, he is responsible for farm, land, animal, and equipment management. Brian also consults in the farm planning, works on marketing and collaboration with like-minded individuals. Brian serves as a Board Member at the New Hampshire Farm Bureau. Brian also currently works as a field service engineer.
Brian brings a vast knowledge and passion for farm management, agriculture, and raising livestock to Holistic Roots.
Sean McGann
Sean holds a MA in Photojournalism from the Missouri School of Journalism and a BA in both International Relations & Spanish from Xavier University. He has twenty-plus years experience as a freelance photojournalist/documentary photographer/videographer. Clients include ASHOKA International, The Associated Press, Connecticut Post The Denver Post, Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel & El Sentinel, LA Times & LATWP, New Mexico Magazine, and The Serimus Foundation among others. He has extensive work experience in nearly two dozen countries and has been honored to be a GoPro for a Cause and Creative Visions grant recipient.
Before growing more permanent roots in New Mexico, Sean developed, managed, and taught a series of photography courses throughout Southeast Asia and Southern Africa. These programs were often paired with cultural immersion and community service components. During this time he also served as the Country Director for all programming in Myanmar.
Sean has consulted for a number of nonprofit organizations including ARTsmart New Mexico (arts programming in public schools), The Greenhouse Foundation (medical marijuana), and ImgineAsia (educational opportunities for Afghan children). In this role, he tends to specialize in program development and implementation, and management.
In his free time, Sean is also a K9 Handler with ten years of experience specializing in Search and Rescue and detection work.
Judy Lawton
Spencer Wyand
Judy is a NH native growing up in Concord NH and spending summers on the lake in the Monadnock Region. It was from this that she developed her love and connection with nature. A graduate of UNH, Judy is a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and community caregiver. Whether she is looking after her fellow neighbors, volunteering at a school, library or in respite care centers with her therapy dog, Tyson, she is the glue that bonds any community she is a part of. Judy understands and prioritizes the strength and importance of community health, wellness and connection. She currently resides in Merrimack with her husband, 2 children and Bernese Mountain Dog, Tyson.
Spencer Wyand is a New Hampshire native and has a degree in Marine Biology from the University of New Hampshire and is also a certified Clinical Herbalist. Spencer has been interested in food systems and impacts on human health for nearly a decade. After receiving his undergraduate degree from UNH, he developed an interest in nutrition while working on Antigua doing research on Hawksbill Sea Turtles. Upon his return to the USA, Spencer attended UNH's dietetics program and concluded that there has to be a better way to encourage people to eat better and to improve their health. Since leaving the dietetics program in 2020 he has developed a passion for livestock farming and herbalism. Through farming Spencer hopes to make people realize that the best food for humans is also the best way to regenerate and protect the Earth.