Michael Bowman is a fifth-generation native of Colorado from the northeastern agricultural community of Wray, Colorado. Throughout his adult life he has been active in the rural development initiatives both nationally and internationally. He serves on the National Steering Committee for "25x'25" and was a founding member of the alliance. He is also a founding board member of the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance and Shadowcliff, a Colorado non-profit focused on environmental education. He was a co-founder of the Colorado Farm2Cafeteria workgroup and led the fundraising efforts in the fall of 2010 for Operation Free NASCAR outreach campaign. Over the past six years he has spoken nationally and internationally on issues related to rural development, local food systems, sustainability and energy.