Experience

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  Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church

  • Landscape Manager

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  Old Pine St Presbyterian Church

  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

  • Landscape Manager

    • Aug 2021 - Present
    • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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  Compost Tea Time

  • Greater Philadelphia Area

  • Owner/Operator

    • Feb 2017 - Present
    • Greater Philadelphia Area

    I have a strong background in gardening and agriculture that comes from years of experience working in different types of plant-based environments. I grew up just outside of Huntington, West Virginia where I spent a lot of time working on the family farm. In 1986 I earned a BA in Journalism/Public Relations, worked as an editor and writer for a few years, then went on to earn an MFA degree in Creative Writing from Vermont College.I eventually returned to farming when I moved to Athens, Georgia and began working at an organic specialty farm called Woodland Gardens. I also founded and ran a program called Farmer For A Day, a volunteer educational organic farm tour. Eventually, I was hired as a personal gardener for R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe, where I helped design, install, and maintain gardens at his home and commercial properties for nine years. While working for Stipe I earned a Master Gardener certificate from the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and started researching compost tea. There I developed a system of maintenance and organic garden care using compost tea and other methods that are naturally occurring and environmentally safe.In 2016, I relocated to Philadelphia where I began working as an organic gardener in the area, eventually taking the position of head gardener at the Rodin Museum for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Since moving here, I have also become a Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Organic Landcare Accreditated Professional, and joined the Ecological Landscape Alliance.While working for private clients and PHS, I launched Compost Tea Time and began doing soil work as a side business. Soil is my main priority as a landscape professional, and it has now become my full-time job and passion. I currently provide organic soil services as well as compost tea treatments to lawns and gardens in the greater Philadelphia area.

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  Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS)

  • Greater Philadelphia Area

  • Head Gardener - Rodin Museum

    • Mar 2019 - Aug 2020
    • Greater Philadelphia Area

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  Freelance landscaping and consultation

  • Athens, Georgia/Philadelphia, PA

  • Freelance Landscaping and Consultation

    • Feb 2014 - Mar 2019
    • Athens, Georgia/Philadelphia, PA

    Working alone and with other landscape designers, this included garden design,installation and maintenance.

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  Estate of Michael Stipe

  • Athens, Georgia Area

  • Organic Gardener

    • Feb 2005 - Feb 2014
    • Athens, Georgia Area

    Working as the personal gardener for R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe, this included coordinating landscape design, installation, and maintenance of residential and commercial properties, with responsibility for budget preparation, analysis, and site planning.

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  Woodland Gardens

  • Athens, Georgia Area

  • Organic Farmer

    • Mar 2003 - Feb 2005
    • Athens, Georgia Area

    In charge of greenhouse production of organic crops and assistance with distribution and sales to stores, farmers markets, and high-profile restaurants in the Atlanta and Athens area.