sequatchie valley institute

Asha Ironwood

Director of Moonshadow Programs
and Media Rights at Moonshadow

Asha has been working in the arts since the early age of four, singing, dancing and acting her way out of trouble. She went to Interlochen Arts Academy for high school and then on to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where she received a BFA in film and television. She spent her four years in NYC studying documentary film and organizing campus and city-wide environmental and social justice education. After graduating from NYU, Ashley founded MEDIA RIGHTS, a small non profit production entity now a project of the Sequatchie Valley Institute at Moonshadow.

Asha has done video work on a wide range of issues including the resistance at the nearby Watts Bar nuclear facility, the hydroelectric development of James Bay in Canada, and has created an hour-long documentary video, “Invasion of the Chip Mills.” MEDIA RIGHTS has recorded actions against the desecration of Mount Graham in Arizona, for the release of political prisoner Leonard Peltier, and against the corporate control of our U.S. government.

Asha moved to Moonshadow at the beginning of 1995. The Sequatchie Valley has offered her a place to really feel the effects of the environment she has been actively working to protect since 1990. She has taken certification courses in Permaculture and Ecovillage Design. Bringing art and media into the environmental community and environmental education to the community at large has been her long-term mission.  When Sequatchie Valley Institute was officially formed in 1996, she became a Co-director and the Founding Chair of the Board.

Her activism has recently been focused on raising loving and happy kids: Sage Indigo Ironwood, born on the Spring equinox of 2002 followed by his sister, Anakeesta, born on the Spring equinox of 2005.  The three of them moved to Colorado in the fall of 2009 to live with Asha’s parents.  She continues to hold Moonshadow and SVI in her heart and will be back for some time in the summer of 2010.

Patrick Ironwood

Director of Landscape and Architecture

Patrick has a BA in 3rd World Research and Development from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He has traveled extensively in Asia and S. America, studying the effects of technology and agriculture on society and the environment. He has been an environmental and social justice activist since 1987.

In 1989, Patrick moved back to Moonshadow where his family has been developing an alternative agricultural project since 1971. His plan was to work as a land-based activist and to help create a working model of ecological living. In 1992, Patrick became a certified Permaculture educator and has taught workshops and courses on Permaculture, edible landscaping, appropriate technology, ecovillage design, post modern homesteading, Deep Ecology for agriculturalists and wilderness skills, including rock climbing and wildcrafting. He loves being a Daddy to Sage and Anakeesta.

Carol Kimmons

Director of Education and Research Spring/Early Summer Head Gardener

Carol Kimmons, BS Geology and MS Entomology and Plant Pathology, moved to the Sequatchie Valley with her husband Johnny, her young sons, Patrick and Joel, and her retired parents in 1971. They began clearing land, planting gardens and orchards, and building a home, Moonshadow. In 1996, she and and her family realized that their knowledge of the land, their sustainable lifestyle and their experience with ecological construction and technology should form the basis for the Sequatchie Valley Institute. The organization and operation of SVI has become the most important and rewarding work of her life.

Carol is an adjunct professor in Biology and Environmental Science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She has taught in Nigeria (Peace Corps), India, the Sequatchie Valley and Haiti, and was an agricultural research scientist in Guam. She has worked for many years in adult education and has written two books for adult beginning readers. Other interests include hiking, canoeing, and pottery.

Johnny Kimmons

Master Builder

Johnny Kimmons, BS Geology and MS Biology, moved to the Sequatchie Valley with his wife, Carol and his sons, Patrick and Joel, in 1971. They began clearing land, planting gardens and orchards, and building a home, Moonshadow. In 1996, he and his family realized that their knowledge of the land, their sustainable lifestyle and their experience with ecological construction and technology should form the basis for the Sequatchie Valley Institute. Johnny’s major interest is in the design, building and maintenance of SVI structures, which is challenging but rewarding work.

Johnny teaches Biology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Johnny has also taught science in Nigeria (Peace Corps), Turkey, India, Haiti, the Sequatchie Valley and Guam. He is an avid tennis player.

Chris Gilligan

Office Manager

Chris first visited Moonshadow in 1999 with his daughter’s girl scout troop, and was fascinated with the land, buildings and people. He returned several times with his son and daughter over the years, but remained on the periphery until 2007, when he offered to revamp the SVI website. That project allowed him to visit more frequently, and he became involved in SVI’s building projects and events.

Chris is fascinated by the social and political aspects of community living, and is active in SVI’s educational outreach programs.

Chris has a BA in Humanites from the local university, and is a video editor and web developer with clients in America and Canada. He enjoys cycling and bicycle maintenance, is returning to rock climbing, and occasionally jumps on a skateboard.