Hello

My Roots

Permaculture has been my passion Since 2001 when I first learned about it while working as a participant in a youth program called Environmental Youth Alliance (EYA) in the Youth Garden at Strathcona Park.  But my love for the natural world was fostered by my family.

My maternal grandfather was a scout master and had even been a young hero during WW2 ferrying messages for the allied forces and guiding lost soldiers back to their camps. After immigrating to Canada after the war, he became a scout leader and he learned all about the native plants of BC. He taught me to always be prepared, and how to live in harmony with the natural world. Because of him I rarely loose my way.

My grandmother, his wife was a magnificent green-thumb and lay herbalist. She could transplant the most tender and difficult plants, and her garden looked like a tangled mess but it was really a mini food forest complete with native berries, rare orchids and other sensitive herbs and flowers. She taught me that plants are just as alive as we are, that they can communicate with us if we are quiet enough to listen and observant enough to see.

My mother taught me that food you grow yourself tastes better than any from the supermarket, and is the best was to save money when on a budget. She was organically gardening before it was cool, because of an allergy to pesticides so I always learned to do without chemicals. She also showed me that no matter how small your plot is you can still grow something!

My father who was born and raised in Ghana, came from a farming family and still to this day can always be found praying in the garden where massive yet tender, juicy food grows. He taught me the importance of soil health and that black gold is the best gold!  He also taught me that goats are the best as are ducks. He continues to inspire my love for the garden. He taught me that creator made us to steward the natural world for the benefit of all. That natural law is the foundation for spiritual living and that though the world can be a hard place to live, that there is a plan, and its a good one.

Together, my family, along with my mentors, and my life experience of living on the land out of a backpack has shown me this wisdom of the earth. After years of practicing the permaculture way, and running a hobby farm with my husband, I finally had an opportunity to learn from my favorite permie, Geoff Lawton.My passion for nature and stewardship has built my practice into something deep and profoundly intense, something I cannot ignore, and something I want to share.