Ryan P. Martin

Background

About Ryan P. Martin

I was born and raised in Maine and spent most of my childhood in a small fishing village in rural Downeast coast. Raised by a single father with the help of two very loving grandparents, we were not a family of great means… but our lives were enriched by the love from a vibrant community of neighbors and countless hours exploring the woods and waters of rural Maine. I was fortunate enough to be the first in my family to receive a college education and eventually a graduate degree. My career has largely been centered on environmental education; first as a middle school science teacher, and later as an adjunct professor, program director, and consultant. I've greatly enjoyed supporting a variety of organizations in their work. I’m currently the Executive Director of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, where I lead a team focused on advancing regenerative agriculture through research, education, and policy. My background is in nonprofit administration, and I’m especially drawn to work that’s practical, community-centered, and systems-oriented. Since stepping into this role, I’ve helped sharpen the organization’s national focus, grow farmer-led outreach programs, and navigate the ups and downs of federal and philanthropic funding. I spend a lot of my time securing resources, building partnerships, and pushing for long-term, scalable change in how we grow food and steward land. I believe the future of agriculture has to be rooted in resilience—ecological, financial, and social. That’s the lens I bring to this work every day. I am happily married with two young children who keep very busy. Family days consist of getting outside for a hike, gardening, cooking, and playing music.