Offline
Background
Name: Deborah
Gender: Female
Ethnicity:
African American
Location:
TWINSBURG, Ohio
United States
Work:
Currently, a nine (9) year garden professional at the Macedonia, Ohio Home Depot. Former garden & landscape instructor Kent State University. Horticulturist for the Anheuser-Busch Corporation at Sea World of Ohio. Clubhouse gardener for the American Golf Corpoation for three (3) golf courses. National, state and local awards in horticulture and floral design. Worked with the staffs of Busch Gardens and Cypress Gardens.
Hometown(s):
My hometown is Canton, Ohio, the home of the Professional Football Hall of Fame
Quote:
"Hand-in-hand with nature is my motto!

My Dream Job-Heirloom Seed Supplier

Essay: Every January the new seeds come into the store where I am a garden professional. It is like being in a candy store when I see the seed rack display go up and all of the vegetable,herb and flower seeds are handsomely packaged and ready to go out for the season. No one else gets excited like I do about these tiny bits of horticulture tissue. They are the main reason for my chosen profession. I am a collector and saver of rare, heirloom seeds. I am committed toward collecting, growing and preserving these edible antiques for generations to enjoy in the future. I pass these seeds along to individuals, other gardeners, garden clubs, groups and organizations which help to feed the hungry in our local community, as well as, the world community of hungry people. I teach people how to grow their own food. I try to give people skills and knowledge of how to garden to help them to help themselves through community gardening and home gardening. I would like to own my own seed company specializing in heirloom vegetable and herb seeds. I know I could make a difference in many people’s lives one seed at a time. I have worked as a garden professional for 20 years. I have taught garden and landscape design at a local university. I lecture and write about gardening techniques that help beginner to advance gardeners get the best out of their garden. I am writing a book about the history of African American heirloom plants. My entrepreneurial gardening spirit has given my career a great surge. In 1994, I became the first African American Master Nationally Accredited Landscape Design Critic. It is time I explore new avenues, new opportunities for myself, but it is only a dream for now! I hope that one day the dream will be fulfilled.

Hello Deborah, I hope you pursue your dream. Perhaps you can get started at home. After all, Bill Gates started Microsoft from his garage. Did you know that Norway keeps seeds for the future in storage in a mountain? I love to garden; I'm not as good as I'd like to be, but I love it. Do you also collect heirloom seeds for ornamentals like roses and rhodies? Rhododendron is native to western Washington state where I live. But rhodies are so hybridized now, I don't think I've seen a native rhodie yet. Do you know about organic gardening? My husband wants to start an organic garden. We'd like to buy some heirloom vegetable seeds from you. Blessings on you, Sher.
Posted: March 29, 2008 12:42AM EDT
mauigal says:
Hey Deb, it's good to hear of someone with the same love of heirloom plants as I have. When I lived on the mainland I used to get seeds from a supplier but through the years I lost the info. If you can pass along any info on how to get started again I would so appreciate it. I now work for a nonprofit that teaches low income families how to grow their own food. I would love to start growing some heirloom plants again. Mahalo, mauigal
Posted: March 28, 2008 10:27PM EDT
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Added: Feb 27, 2008
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