I always joke that I found Permaculture just in time to save me from diving into a deep well of despair. I've spent many years feeling frustrated and unsatisfied with the societal norms and specifically the consumerist culture of the western world. I had mild panic attacks everytime I payed for my groceries or gas. Due to the age of information we are no longer able to ignore the realities of the wasteful and destructive manner in which most of our products are made. I realized most of my choices were being made for me, and I was to get up, go to work, pay the mortgage, consume, live for the weekend, rinse and repeat.

While I am grateful for my life everyday, there is a fire burning deep inside for change. It tells me there is another way. I'm a single mother, a nurse and a small business owner. Many days I feel overwhelmed with the task I have asigned myself, to do as much as I can to change the world, and inspire others to do the same. But once you've jumped into this river of change, there is no turning back. And being here, amongst other change makers really does give me hope.

Currently, I'm involved in several projects in my city including, urban homesteading, The Free Garden Community Project (helping people establish yard gardens and form a community network) Fair Share (an NPO whos mission is "Partnering to Make Chattanooga the City that Feeds Itself") and Grow Hope Farm (a 2 acre inner city farm) and soon to be Grow Hope Aquaponics (a HATponics Project.)