I'm a freelance artist and illustrator, gardener, and educator. I'm also an active volunteer with Virginia Cooperative Extension, a Board member of the Southern Virginia Botanical Gardens, and part time educator at the Danville Science Center's Butterfly Garden.

After a heart disease diagnosis at 36, I changed to a plant-based diet and became interested in growing food. While researching what could grow under the Black Walnut tree in our yard, I found Permaculture and my mind and heart have pulled me along that path ever since. It's important to show that there IS an alternative to industrial, chemical farming, one that is sustainable, ecological, wise, and rewarding—even on a small scale the benefits are huge.

I'm currently engaged in a multi-year design project converting our 1/4 acre Main Street lot into a food forest and urban permaculture demonstration site. Related services and products from teaching to market items are in development. You can learn more about this project at: http://www.themainstreetgardener.com