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Getting to Know APC’s Rizpah Bellard
10/21/2025
By TomKat Ranch interns, Owen Rockemann and Kelly Carmichael
Rizpah Bellard brings a unique combination of agricultural expertise and passion for community outreach to her role as Farm Partnership Coordinator for the Agricultural Platform Collective (APC). With a background in regenerative cattle ranching and social work, she embodies APC’s mission of supporting environmentally conscious, yet historically underserved, farmers.
Building Networks Through APC
In 2024, Rizpah joined Kat Taylor’s APC, an organization dedicated to building networks of sustainable growers and providing them with essential tools and resources to expand their livelihoods while stewarding the environment. As Farm Partnership Coordinator, Rizpah has become instrumental in connecting farmers with new income opportunities and community support.
Her primary focus involves coordinating dozens of growers to fulfill weekly orders from the Central California Food Bank through the federally funded Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program. This approach allows farmers to earn supplementary income by selling their commodities directly to food banks, ensuring their harvests reach families in need rather than going to waste.
“I use farming not just to feed people, I use it to support the other ways I help people,” Rizpah explains. This philosophy aligns perfectly with APC’s vision of creating sustainable food systems that benefit both producers and the communities they serve.
A Multi-Faceted Approach
Rizpah’s work extends beyond APC through her regenerative cattle operation, Nova Farming, where she raises Angus-crossed Wagyu cattle while offering educational workshops to local schools. She also manages affordable housing properties and has recently launched the South Lotus Children’s Foundation to provide tailored educational opportunities in underserved communities.
Her diverse experience in agriculture, social work, and community development makes her uniquely qualified to understand the challenges facing APC’s network of farmers. Whether helping growers navigate federal programs or connecting them with resources for sustainable practices, Rizpah serves as a bridge between agricultural innovation and community needs.
The Bigger Picture
Through her coordination work, Rizpah demonstrates how APC’s network model creates multiple benefits: farmers gain financial stability, communities receive fresh local food, and environmental stewardship is rewarded. Her approach to filling weekly food bank orders while managing constantly changing demands shows the practical impact of APC’s farmer-centered programs.
As Rizpah puts it, “if more people care, then the burden of caring is less for everybody.” Her work with APC exemplifies this philosophy, showing how supporting sustainable farmers creates ripple effects that strengthen entire communities.
