Our Team

Jenna Ramsey

Executive Director/Founder

Jenna grew up in Tucson, AZ and lived in the Sonoran Desert for 28 years. She graduated from the University of Arizona in the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with minors in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics and graduate studies in Herpetology. Jenna did field research work, professionally, with desert tortoises, rattlesnakes, gila monsters and other desert reptiles while attending the U of A. Jenna became a veterinary technician in Arizona for almost a decade, working with reptiles and exotics. In the early 2000’s, Jenna moved to Los Angeles and worked for the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort McArthur, rehabilitating marine mammals including Elephant Seals, Sea Lions and the occasional dolphin. Going back to her original first love of reptiles, Jenna accepted a position at the San Diego Zoo as a Senior Reptile Keeper, working extensively with Galapagos tortoises, Fijian Iguanas, crocodilians, snakes, and many other species of reptiles and amphibians for about 10 years. In 2016, Jenna moved to Pullman, WA to fulfill a lifelong dream of running a farmed animal sanctuary. She founded Blackbird Ranch Farm Sanctuary in 2017 and manages the day to day care of 75 farmed animals, with an incredible team of directors, interns and volunteers. In addition to running the sanctuary, Jenna also works full-time in the ICU department at the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Lucy & Eleanor
Security Directors

Lucy and Eleanor are sisters! Each day they work tirelessly to protect their herd from any dangers of the countryside.

Taylor Ross

Board Member

Taylor graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and is currently studying veterinary medicine at Iowa State University. Her plan is to become a mixed practice veterinarian, with a special interest in integrative medicine! Taylor fell in love with the people and animals of Blackbird Ranch during her undergraduate career, starting out as a volunteer and intern, and has since joined the board of directors. Currently, she is working in a team to further develop Blackbird’s online presence! In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her family, friends and pets.

Crystal Pratt

Equine Director

Crystal graduated from WSU with a degree in Animal Science. She was introduced to the ranch during her time at WSU, where she completed the internship and has been working with the donkeys since fall of 2020. Crystal is currently studying veterinary medicine at Iowa State University. In her free time, Crystal enjoys spending time with family and friends, and riding her horse Peyton. 

Avery Lane

Secretary

Avery began her journey with Blackbird Ranch Farm Sanctuary as an intern in January, 2020. Since then she briefly held a position on the Advisory Board as the Donor Correspondence Assistant and is now the acting Secretary on Blackbird’s Board of Directors. Avery graduated from Washington State University in May of 2021 with a bachelors degree in Animal Science and a double minor in Biology and Chemistry. In her free time, she enjoys exploring outside with her orange tabby cat, Nemo, and her black lab puppy, Ember. Avery is passionate about animal liberation and is proud to be able to support Blackbird Ranch in its mission to rescue animals from cruelty, educate the public, and promote compassionate living.

Lili Moore
Small Ruminant Director

Lili Moore is from Bainbridge Island, Washington. She is currently an undergraduate student at WSU studying animal science on the pre-veterinary track. She aspires to be a veterinarian, and was recently accepted into the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine and will be starting her education there in the fall of 2022. Lili loves all animals big and small and is very passionate about animal rescue and fear-free and compassionate medicine and would like to focus on this as a veterinarian someday. When she is not studying or out at Blackbird Ranch, Lili enjoys crafting, reading, and spending time with her two kitties and rescued cow.

Marisa Nishimura
Porcine Director

Marisa Nishimura is going to school to (hopefully) become a veterinarian who works with both large and small animals. She has a heart for integrative medicine and rehabilitation, so she hopes to incorporate that into her career. Marisa has volunteered with Blackbird Ranch and Farm Sanctuary for a little over 2 years and considers herself lucky to be chosen as an intern in Spring of 2021. A fun fact about Marisa is that she actually already have two degrees – a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and had a career in law enforcement before returning to her dream of working with animals. Marisa also has a wonderful family, including a 10-year-old daughter who also enjoys working at Blackbird as well!