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

OLIVIA SMITH

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

HORTENSIA MAYER

What's new with New Pioneers?

The latest news and updates from New Pioneers.

August 27, 2026

Welcome, Olivia!

Julia Gerwe

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New Pioneers is proud to welcome Olivia Smith to our team as our Outreach Coordinator! Olivia is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science […]

July 27, 2026

A Year of Growth: New Pioneers 2025 Impact Report is Now Available!

Ivoree Sullenbarger

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Each year, New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future compiles our annual Impact Report for our community, spotlighting the crucial education, demonstration, and advocacy efforts our organization takes to ensure a […]

June 29, 2026

We're Hiring: Outreach Coordinator!

Julia Gerwe

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We're hiring an Outreach Coordinator to grow our community engagement and outreach. Apply today!

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