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Trail in Woods

Meet the Team

Tierra Sagrada is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2024 by  farmers, carpenters, entrepreneurs, craftspeople, and artists.  Tierra Sagrada is a collective of people passionate about creating a more resilient, lively, rich culture, and society from our roots in Northern Appalachia. 

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Founder, Instructor

Alex Catizone

Alex is a maker from Northeastern Pennsylvania, who has received her training in woodworking, carpentry, and design through Lohr School of Woodworking, Yestermorrow Design/Build School, years of self-directed learning, and experience in the field.

Alex is primarily an educator, tiny home designer and builder, and landscaper. She is passionate about affordable housing solutions, the effect of the built environment on human behavior, and empowering people through the design/build process.

For a listing of her current course offerings, or for design/build inquiries, visit her website at https://www.alexandracatizone.com

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Board Treasurer

Alana Dee Haynes

Alana Dee Haynes is a mixed media artist who primarily works with illustrations over found objects or photos. Her work has also taken her to event production having produced live events from 100 - 5k people. Most recently her artistic endeavors lead to renovations and she’s been turning a 1895 church into a home; using her artistic aesthetics and translating them to interior design. Haynes has expanded her artistic practice to include kitchen and bathroom remodels, hard scape masonry design, and more. 

 

AlanaDeehaynes.com

@belltowerbuilds

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Board Vice Chair, Instructor

Kyle Beaver

Kyle is primarily an entrepreneur and mushroom farmer, but finds himself wearing a variety of hats as the owner of Ten Mile Mushrooms.  Kyle is a pioneer in commercial mushroom production, and a leader in his field, supporting other farms and farmers in supplying their communities.  When Kyle's not tending to the mushrooms he can be found tending to his land, hunting, seeing live music, or enjoying time with cats and dog.

To learn more about Kyle and his farm visit:

https://tenmilemushrooms.com/

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Instructor

Matt Kramer

Matt Kramer is a builder, woodworker, and community facilitator focused on hands-on, place-based learning. His path into building began in the Smoky Mountains, where he built his own yurt to residential code with no prior experience—learning woodworking, natural building, and basic trades along the way.

Matt brings a steady, collaborative presence to shared projects. As a homeschooling father, he values intergenerational learning and believes resilience grows through curiosity, shared problem-solving, and working with your hands. He is grateful to contribute his skills and care to Tierra Sagrada’s living classrooms.

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Board Member, Instructor 

Phyillis Varra 

Phyillis is an herbalist, gardener, and community organizer.  She is a yoga instructor and proud mama to a beautiful baby boy.  She can usually be found playing music, making travel plans, and taking in all of the beauty this life has to offer.

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Board Secretary

Penny Harte

Penny Harte is a builder and designer whose path into hands-on learning began with designing and building livable campervans. She later served as a Shipping Container and Semester Design/Build Teaching Assistant at Yestermorrow and continues to deepen her skills through ongoing study and practice.

Penny holds a B.S. in Natural Resource Conservation from Virginia Tech and currently works at Flywheel Industrial Arts in Montpelier, VT, doing metal work and 3D modeling. Having lived in group housing, a campervan, and a tiny house, she brings a lived understanding of alternative and affordable housing and a strong belief in learning together through practical skill-building.

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