Mindy Swanson
Garden Educator, Dig Down Deep Founder, and Serious Compost Enthusiast
When Mindy was asked in 2006 to help start a school garden at Birney Elementary in San Diego, she had no idea what would evolve! From volunteering to run the first garden club and taking classes out into the garden with the teachers, Mindy became a full time garden educator, helping link NGSS Science Standards and seasonal gardening along with environmental awareness and nutrition. Mindy built the curriculum that is now deeply integrated into the fabric of two international baccalaureate (IB) elementary programs and has become a regular part of one IB middle school. In addition, Mindy has shared her extensive knowledge and practices with many teachers, after school staff, and parents who are interested in incorporating gardening into their school activities. With a background in science, public health and decades of home gardening and farming experience, Mindy strives to help raise future generations who will understand the importance of composting, soil, our amazing food web and the delicious results of spending time in the natural world.
Marney Jensen
Garden Educator and Designer
Marney is a garden teacher with Dig Down Deep (D3) Garden Educators, and has been leading the hands-on garden enrichment program at a local elementary school in San Diego for 6+ years. Her experience includes developing curriculum and teaching students in grades TK-5 about nutrition, environmental stewardship, organic farming and farm-to-table local gardening. Students are actively involved with all aspects of garden care, from composting and soil cultivation, to tasting the food they have grown and sharing it with families at school “Farm Stands.” Marney is also involved with coordinating parent and community volunteers to support the school’s garden program. She draws on nearly 20 years experience working as a Landscape Architect in San Diego.
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