My story begins in the kitchen of my parents restaurant in Boulder, Colorado. That is where my passion for food and specifically fresh fruits and vegetables started. My parents were professionally trained chefs and exposed me to a wide range of fruits and vegetables from around the world, teaching me how to select and prepare them. Nicknamed "The Fruit Kid" by the kitchen staff, I eventually became obsessed with tasting new and exotic fruits. I later dreamed of being a farmer and pursued degrees in plant science and horticulture.  

From   the   beginning

When I started my plant science degree at Cornell University, I thought maybe I would work a few years in industry, save my money, and buy land to develop into my own small farm. At university I developed a passion for plant breeding that quickly developed into a ten year career as a plant breeder for industry leaders like Nunhems vegetable seeds and Fall Creek Farm and Nursery.

Where   I am now

My journey has brought me to the Big Island of Hawaii, where I own a two acre farm that produces fruit and veggies year round. Here I have found a place with a unique subtropical climate that allows me to grow everything from temperate crops like cabbage to exotic fruits like soursop, along with a community of like minded people wanting to develop their own diverse small farms. I'm still passionate about plant breeding and have developed my own collection of germplasm and plant breeding projects.

Over a decade of experience as a professional researcher and educator

From blueberry trials in Mexico, to teaching kids grafting, I've walked fields of seedlings and harvested bean trials in the desert for days on end - I have a wide range of experience in horticulture. I have long range vision and I will do the heavy lifting to make your horticultural dreams a reality.