About

New Pioneers Mission

Promoting sustainability in rural communities to ensure a healthy future for all

About Us

New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future is a non-profit organization founded in 2005 by Sr. Claire McGowan OP, who sought to build a sustainability movement in rural central Kentucky.

While New Pioneers’ efforts to educate, demonstrate, and advocate for sustainability are focused in Nelson, Marion, and Washington counties, the ripple effects of our efforts often reach even further.

Learn more about New Pioneers' roadmap to promote sustainability through our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan.

Staff

JULIA GERWE-NICHOLSON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

IVOREE SULLENBARGER

COMMUNITY EDUCATOR

ELLIS HUGHES

OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Board Of Directors

MICHAEL BICKETT

PRESIDENT

ANGELA RAKES

VICE PRESIDENT

WILL ROSENBAUM

SECRETARY

JOHNNIE BAUM

TREASURER

ELLIOT NEWLAND

GARY BISHOP

PAM GRUNDY

CHERYL COLEMAN

ISAAC SUTTON

JAMIE COLLINS

KIMBERLY NANCE

JENNA WILSON

HORTENSIA MAYER

What's new with New Pioneers?

The latest news and updates from New Pioneers.

March 26, 2026

We're Hiring: Instructors for Summer Camp

Julia Gerwe

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Join New Pioneers as a Summer Camp Instructor in 2026!

March 24, 2026

"Care for Creation" Column Highlights Rural Engagement

Julia Gerwe

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New Pioneers Executive Director, Julia Gerwe-Nicholson, contributed an article to the Archdiocese of Louisville's weekly newspaper The Record this March entitled "Change Begins with Lunch". The Archdiocese of Louisville has taken seriously the […]

March 13, 2026

Leadership Nelson County Retreat

Ivoree Sullenbarger

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New Pioneers' Community Educator, Ivoree, is taking part in the Leadership Nelson County Program with the class of 2026! This program helps participants build lifelong professional connections, complete community projects […]

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127 W Main St Springfield, KY 40069
(859) 336-5070
info@newpioneers.org