Our Team
Beth Roach
Co-Founder
Beth Roach, Vice-Chair of the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia's Tribal Council, is a co-founder of the Alliance of Native Seedkeepers. She leads initiatives to revitalize Indigenous seeds and promote food sovereignty, with projects like the Nottoway Corn Project, which revives traditional corn varieties adapted for today’s climate. Beth also established the Tribal Coastal Resilience Connections Program, now part of the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership, bringing together tribal communities to address climate challenges. As the Sierra Club's National Water Conservation Campaign Manager, Beth advocates for clean water access and environmental justice for Indigenous and marginalized communities.
Co-Founder
Frank Cain
Frank Cain, a Tuscarora seedkeeper and co-founder of the Alliance of Native Seedkeepers, has dedicated his work to revitalizing ancestral seeds and fostering food sovereignty within Indigenous communities. Through projects such as the seed bank and his work with traditional crops, Frank aims to restore cultural connections and support sustainable agriculture. His efforts have helped communities reconnect with their heritage and develop resilience in the face of climate challenges. With a background in both farming and medicine, Frank has worked as a farm manager, Emergency Medical Technician, Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician, and in Biomedical engineering. These experiences shaped his commitment to creating better food systems and equitable access to healthy foods, especially for those impacted by diet-related illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Frank also connected communities across the Southeast, advocating for environmental justice and cultural revitalization through his work with seeds, agriculture, and waterway protection.