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Thomas Clever Llewellyn (Tom@realcooperative.org)

Thomas Clever Llewellyn is a Founder and Coordinator of the REAL Cooperative (Regenerative Education Action and Leadership), a new collaborative project of Activists and Educators working to advise new organizers, educate in creative ways, coordinate and collaborate on actions, tours and events for advancing regenerative initiatives and stopping environmental destruction in its tracks!  From 2008 – 2012 Tom toured across the country producing eco events, leading workshops and participating in a wide variety of actions and campaigns as the Education and Activism Director of Sustainable Living Roadshow (SLR).  Drawing from years of experience as the director of the Canyon After School Program and Clever Scamp Camp, as well as a rich background in theatrical performance and storytelling, Tom brings his playful creativity to environmental and political causes and actions. Currently living in Asheville, NC Tom is an active participant in a new collective working to open a Tool Library, is studying Story Based Activism and the New Seed Revolution, and telling stories to anyone who will listen.

Emma Hutchens (Emma@realcooperative.org)

Emma is a Founder and Coordinator of the REAL Cooperative (Regenerative Education Action and Leadership) for activists.  She worked as the Staffing and Outreach Coordinator of Sustainable Living Roadshow from 2010 – 2012, before returning to Asheville, NC.  Her current projects include, building relationships between UNC Asheville and its surrounding community, increasing awareness and appropriate policy around Genetically Modified Foods, improving the Rhoades Community Garden and loving up the Asheville Grown Local Business Alliance.  She also leads workshops in nonviolence, action for sustainability, Playful Activism, organizing strategy and more.  Emma studied non-violence and facilitation in Huehuecoyol, Mexico and is currently pursuing a self-designed degree at UNC Asheville as a student of Social Change, Environment and Community Health.  She loves teaching people to teach, traveling, eating with chop-sticks and making art out of trash.  She currently lives in Asheville (her very favorite city), spending her days trying not to be a vagabond.

Ben Harper (Ben@realcooperative.org)

Ben is a Founder and Coordinator of the REAL Cooperative (Regenerative Education Action and Leadership) for activists. He interned with Earthship Biotecture in Taos, NM in 2010 and began construction on an earthship (off the grid home made of recycled materials) of his own soon after and its still a work in progress. During 2011-2012 he lived in Oakland, CA where he helped kickstart The PLACE(people linking art community and ecology) for Sustainable Living and became the Site Manager for The Sustainable Living Roadshow. During that time he became experienced in 3d design, bamboo construction, and eco-carnieism. Ben loves to make/take solutionary ideas and create them in the digital 3d world to help share the idea and then create it in the real world. His interests include eco-construction, 3d design, permaculture design, worm composting, traveling and empowering people to localize their food, water and energy sources. And of course he loves to make people smile!

Emily Parrish (Emily@realcooperative.org)- Graphic Designer, Resident Artist

Emily Parrish is a recent graduate from the art program at Appalachian State where she studied loom weaving and all sorts of printmaking, choosing to focus on low-impact and sustainable techniques, tools and materials in both areas.  In 2011, she had the opportunity to be a worker bee for Sustainable Living Roadshow. These days she designs posters, fliers and postcards for the REAL Cooperative’s events and actions. She now lives in Berkeley, CA where she spends her time drawing pictures, cycling all over and settling into her new life on the west coast.

David Pillar (David@realcooperative.org) – Hemp Activist Extraordinaire