Aysha Tapp Ross

Aysha Tapp Ross (she/her) joined American Farmland Trust in September 2021, bringing more than a decade of leadership experience and a strong scientific background. She leads multiple projects within AFT’s Climate and Soil Health Team that evaluate soil, economic, and social outcomes on working farms before and after the adoption of conservation agriculture practices, including cover crops and biochar. In this role, Aysha oversees regional field teams, conducts on-farm work with project partners in Kentucky, and analyzes soil health data. She also collaborates closely with national project leads to analyze connections between soil, economic, and social findings. In addition, Aysha is also active in AFT's efforts to advance biochar as a tool in soil health management systems. Prior to joining AFT, Aysha worked for several years in a research laboratory before taking time to raise her family, build an off-grid home, and operate Moonlight Farms Homestead, a diversified farmstead and large apiary. She has also served on the board of her local farmers’ market since 2018. Aysha earned her master’s degree in Sustainability from the University of Louisville and is completing her PhD in Biology, with an expected completion date of July 2026. Her dissertation examines the effects of biochar and microbial inoculant amendments on plant productivity, soil health, and microbial community structure and function.