Our team of Sandy Loam’s guides and instructors bring their diverse backgrounds and experiences to create an inclusive community for all.
Our Team
Aishwarya Kancharla
Director & Veronda-Falletti Ranch Property Manager
Aishwarya realized early on that her career would be devoted to working with families and building sustainable communities. After gaining experience in education, health and environmental sustainability, she saw endless and exciting possibilities in merging these interests. This is how Sandy Loam was born! She is proud to be a part of the Cotati community, a welcoming and diverse place that she loves calling home. Aishwarya has an A.S. in Natural Resources Management from Santa Rosa Junior College, a B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communications from New York University and a J.D. from UC Law SF (formerly UC Hastings College of the Law), and is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Environmental Planning & Management at the University of Connecticut.
Ariana Schwalenberg
Youth & Family Program Manager
Ariana managed the afterschool enrichment program at Old Adobe Elementary School for many years. She adored watching students grow their confidence as they progressed through school and was inspired to pursue a degree in School Counseling as it blends her love of working with children and building community partnerships. Ariana has a B.A. in Psychology and is expecting an M.A. in School Counseling in June 2026 from Sonoma State University. She looks forward to bringing her expertise and experience to Sandy Loam upon her graduation. In her free time, Ariana likes to work in her garden, cook meals for her family and friends, thrift shop, spend time with her beloved cat Sam, and care for her fish & frog aquarium.
Francisca Lizotte
Enrichment Specialist
Francisca is an avid yoga and Reiki practitioner, California Naturalist, hiking guide, and herbalist who brings together outdoor education, mindful movement, and healing practices. Her community-focused practice includes partnerships with local nonprofits, yoga hikes, and specialized programs in schools, summer camps, private settings, and corporate environments. She holds a Philosophy degree from Cal Poly, SLO, and trained in Hatha yoga, with over 5,000 hours teaching diverse yoga styles including Restorative, Chair, Gentle, Prenatal, Vinyasa, and Kids/Family yoga.
Happy Sattva
Program Manager
Happy Sattva brings a broad range of experience in agriculture, research, and community education, working with people of all ages, from young children to older adults, to Sandy Loam. She combines hands-on regenerative farming, program development, and scientific research to create sustainable, engaging spaces that connect communities with the natural world. At University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Center for Applied Environmental Research (CAER), she worked on initiatives transforming urban food systems through agricultural entrepreneurship. She was a founding board member of the Manheim Garden Conservancy contributing to community greening and urban farming.
Bryce Nahas
Farm and Livestock Manager
Ranch Manager & Lead Instructor, Agri-CULTURE. Bryce is a consultant and builder for small-scale farmers and homesteaders. He has extensive experience managing projects, and designing, building, and installing custom products and systems to meet the demanding needs of agricultural production and home gardeners alike. With a background in construction project management, environmental education, instructional systems design, small-scale crop production, and a passion for integrating ecological components into efficient agricultural systems, Bryce loves the idea of creating responsible agricultural solutions that benefit the land and people of his native Northern California.
