Jodie grew her first permaculture garden as a student in the city. When her parents bought land in the country she followed them and filled her life with growing food, family and community.

An inspirational educator and mentor, Jodie has an innate ability to empower others. Jodie studied for her Permaculture Design Certificate through Jeff Nugent and Julia Boniface and first led her own permaculture course in 1996. Jodie has taught both Horticulture Cert IV and Permaculture Cert III and in 2010 she obtained her Certificate in Advanced Permaculture Teaching. She also has studied Sustainable Community Design.

Although her love of gardening led her to study horticulture and permaculture, Jodie’s interest has always focused on community. She has facilitated a number of diverse community projects including: co-founding an Intentional Community; co-convening a not-for-profit; and running a Spinifex paper-making venture in a remote indigenous community. Most of her courses have also involved a community garden element. One of her favourite projects was establishing a public garden park in the centre of Margaret River. This local forest garden was designed, created and propagated by her students using endemic plants. Whether leading workshops, tending client’s gardens, or growing on the farm, Jodie’s energy motivates all those around her.