Who We Are

Janett Lewis

Founder & Executive Director

Janett grew up in Atlanta, but it was her grandfather’s 163-acre plantation in rural Georgia, near Augusta, that she felt most connected. Her father grew up on that farm, and that’s where she first came to love the outdoors—a love that propelled her toward a position at The Waldorf School in Georgia, “where everything revolves around nature.”

From The Waldorf School, Janett moved to California to study and practice holistic medicine. At the time, inspired by an appreciation for massage therapy, her mission was ‘to travel around the world and learn different cultural modalities of body work’. That mission took her from the Hawaiian islands, to Thailand, to a 35-ft sloop sailboat in Florida, then back to California, where she settled in San Diego.

This myriad of experiences compounded over a lifetime have manifested in Janett’s two great passions today—an understanding of the healing power of nature, and a desire to do good.

When Janett first purchased property in Spanish Lake, she was working as a real estate broker in southern California. “I came here as a business decision… When I got here, there was so much more to St. Louis than I ever expected.” So she decided to “stay and make a change, because it’s too beautiful and the people are so amazing.” What began as a business investment in Spanish Lake became a calling. Janett quickly fell in love with the land and the people, choosing to stay and pour her passion into the community.

Co-purchasing a problem property next to her home and converting it into a Seed STL community garden was Janett’s first immediate impact on the Spanish Lake community. After cementing herself as a neighborhood leader and caretaker through her efforts with the garden, she joined the Spanish Lake Community Development Corporation, where she was named Chair of the Board for 2 years. In that capacity, she worked to revitalize the unincorporated area through redevelopment efforts by way of the Spanish Lake Town Center Plan, in addition to supporting the St. Louis Zoo WildCare Park, which acquired the Pipefitters Union in Spanish Lake and is on course to open in 2027.

In 2020, Janett founded and acquired non-profit status for what started as a 6.64-acre sustainable urban farm called Rustic Roots Sanctuary. Though the sanctuary was just finding its footing when COVID came around, Janett used the time to develop programs to touch on all of her impact-driven passions—from sustainability to community development and youth engagement. In each of her key roles, Janett Lewis is drawing from her lifetime of experience in, essentially, making people feel better.

Our Board of Directors

Lenora Gooden (President)

Monica Watson (Secretary)

Connie Risby (Treasurer)

Rhonda McKenzie (Board Member)

Jeremiah Sampo (Board Member)

Sandy Thornhill (Board Member)

Meet The Team

Miya Ward

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Miya, a 24-year-old from Spanish Lake, Missouri, brings experience in nonprofit work, operations, and administration. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from Saint Louis University in December 2022; this marked the beginning of her career path focused on communal wellbeing. Her work with the St. Louis Area Foodbank and the Urban League, where she served in coordinator and relations roles, focused on outreach, collaboration, and improving access to essential resources. Miya also adds operations expertise to the team having worked for Marriott International - New Orleans, where she gained valuable experience in organization, communication, and service leadership. “I’m passionate about ensuring people have access to healthy, fresh food and spaces where they can feel at peace—something I personally feel every time I’m at Rustic Roots Sanctuary”. Outside of work, she enjoys working out, biking, walking, and spending time in nature as ways to recharge.
Nikila Williams

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Nikila holds a degree in Communications with a focus on Entertainment Media and has built a career translating vision into digital impact. She has led successful marketing campaigns across hospitality, cannabis, wellness, and arts-based organizations, merging her multidisciplinary background in marketing, media, and community-centered storytelling. She also brings her extensive background in plant medicine to her role at Rustic! As a proud alumna of Rustic Roots Sanctuary’s 2023 Apprenticeship Program, From Dreaming to Implementation, she deepened her commitment to regenerative practices and land-based education. She’s received over 1,000 hours of clinical herbal training alongside four years of experience in the commercial cannabis industry, grounding her work for plant medicine in science, tradition, and mission-driven work.
A lifelong advocate for community-forward initiatives, Nikila remains involved in the St. Louis creative and agricultural ecosystem, supporting music, art, urban farming, and herbal healing spaces. She approaches her work with care, integrity, and a belief in communal growth. Above all, she is inspired daily by her role as a mother to her 13-year-old daughter, whose future continues to fuel her dedication to sustainably equitable community building.
Eric Scott

SITE MANAGER
Eric Scott brings over 30 years of experience in operations, facility management, and international agricultural business. He has a proven track record in managing complex systems, logistics, and infrastructure across both corporate and community-centered environments. Eric is a construction and property specialist whose work prioritizes equity, access, and stability through high-quality residential development and renovation. At Rustic Roots Sanctuary, Eric plays a central leadership role in the development and stewardship of the site— overseeing construction, land use planning, and ongoing facility maintenance. His ability to blend operational strategy with a heart for community impact has been instrumental in transforming a once-neglected space into a thriving community sanctuary. Eric’s deep knowledge of project management, land development, and inclusive community service makes him a key asset to the project and ensures its successful implementation and long-term sustainability.
Eric Stevens

FARM MANAGER/ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPER

Eric has spent over 18 years growing local produce and cultivating a deep expertise in edible and ecological landscapes. He and his wife, Crystal, co-founded FLOURISH—a farm, nursery, and apothecary nestled along the Mississippi River—dedicated to holistic land stewardship and community wellness. Eric has managed several organic farms in the St. Louis area, including Confluence Farm, EarthDance Organic Farm School, and La Vista CSA; he’s also consulted for numerous small farms. In 2016, he was selected as a U.S. Delegate to Terra Madre in Italy by Slow Food St. Louis, reflecting his commitment to global food justice. As an accomplished artist, carpenter, and land steward, Eric brings a rare blend of creativity, craftsmanship, and ecological vision to every project he supports.
Karen Schone (Kari)

ASSISTANT FARM MANAGER
Since returning to Missouri nearly 19 years ago, Kari has embraced her passion for sustainable agriculture through hands-on volunteer work at an organic CSA, elementary school gardens, and an urban farm. She has also cultivated her own backyard garden and led the development of a collectively-worked neighborhood garden, demonstrating her commitment to community-centered agriculture and food justice. Alongside raising her three boys, Kari balances life by working at her family-owned skating rink, bringing both dedication and warmth to her daily endeavors. She’s thrilled to be part of the Rustic Roots Sanctuary team and always looks forward to building meaningful relationships with the people who make the farm and community so special. Kari’s enthusiasm for growing food and nurturing community shines through in all that she does, and she’s excited to contribute her energy and experience to Rustic Roots Sanctuary’s mission.
Josh Hagene

FARM SUPPORT
Josh is a 23-year-old tattoo artist based in St. Louis with a deep love for creativity, nature, and exploration. Known for his unique artistic style and attention to detail, Josh channels his passion for visual storytelling through the medium of tattooing—transforming skin into a canvas for self-expression and personal meaning. When he’s not working in the studio, Josh enjoys gardening, where he finds peace and inspiration in the rhythm of nature and the satisfaction of growing his own food. He’s also an avid traveler, always eager to discover new places, cultures, and artistic traditions around the world, which often inform and expand his creative practice. Josh is a devoted animal lover and shares a special bond with his deaf American Bulldog named Buddy, who has taught him a great deal about patience, trust, and unconditional love. Through his art, his connection to the earth, and his curiosity about the world, Josh is always seeking new ways to grow—as a creator, a learner, and a human being.
Anthony Stevens

FARM SUPPORT
Anthony is a horticulture student with aspirations of becoming an ethnobotanist. With a focus on landscape architecture, he’s learned to integrate ecological landscaping into his construction work. He’s also a proud father of two lovely young ladies, Sariyah and Sanaa, who are the apples of his eye. As a self-taught artist, he loves music and enjoys being practical with his hands—honing his artistic skills since the early age of three. “Aside from the Most High, my family and the world around me are my biggest inspirations”.
Jo Henderson

FARM SUPPORT
Jo is currently a horticulture student at STLCC Meramec whose farming journey started in the Summer of 2021 as a volunteer. She quickly fell in love with the work and ended up getting apprenticeships with both Urban Harvest and EarthDance in the years to follow. Her passion for urban farming stems from a life-long love of community outreach, food, and connecting with mother earth. Whenever she’s not studying plants or working with them, Jo can be found cooking, reading or going for a bike ride; she’s also an avid camper. “I am beyond excited to work alongside the Rustic Roots Sanctuary community and I can't wait to see what this journey has in store!”
John Bennett

FARM SUPPORT
John Bennett, is a 23-year-old grower and creative spirit with deep roots in farming. He first started working with Rustic Roots Sanctuary in 2021, and for the past four years, he’s continued to support the team at farmers’ markets and festivals. “Now that I’ve returned full-time, I’m amazed at how much has evolved—and excited to be part of this next chapter”. Farming runs in his bloodline, making it more than just a job for him—it’s an art form. “I see agriculture the same way I see a mural: full of texture, color, science, and intention. Whether it’s cultivating a field or designing a space, I love creating things that bring beauty and balance to the world”. When he’s not in the field, you’ll find him drawing, designing software, making pottery, or working on his business. He’s pursuing a degree in Creative Arts, with the goal of launching his own interior design business. With a vision is to blend art, function, and purpose—he supports clients with creative solutions, offers internships for students, and hosts art-centered community events. “For me, art and agriculture go hand in hand—both embody vision, care, and connection”.