Julie is excited to Common Ground's Team Leader as her job combines two of her loves: plants and people. During her "off time" you will find Julie caring for her own organic plants, feeding her colony of worms (the little darlings provide super-rich fertilizer), or planning her next crop of tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs. Pulgas Ridge provides a beautiful setting for her frequent hikes--she is particularly interested in identifying wildflowers and is always delighted to meet new dogs and their owners along the trails. Julie is an enthusiastic Master Gardener student as she enjoys learning and sharing her knowledge with others.

Eileen grew up in the Bay Area and first became interested in gardening as a child when helping her father plant fruit and nut trees in their San Jose backyard. She gardens at her Barron Park home and has 2 hens, a Rhode Island Red and an Ameraucana. She is very happy to be working with the friendly and knowledgeable staff at Common Ground and enjoys meeting the wonderful community of gardeners who come in every day.

Joe "after retiring from Aerospace, I started to volunteer at Common Ground. Before long I was on the staff. I love working here. The customers and other staff are great. We share many things, like interest in a plant-based diet and yoga practice. I really like that Common Ground is about nurturing people and the earth. I have bought a house. I am putting what I learn at Common Ground to work at my house. My front yard is a mix of California natives and low-water herbs. Something is blooming almost all year round. My backyard is devoted to edibles. Most of the plants came from our store. I am really blessed to be able to help Common Ground help people to walk more lightly on the earth".

 

Stephanie grew up on the San Francisco Peninsula. Always a nature lover, I was fortunate to grow up in an area with open space. I spent a lot of time exploring the trees, rock formations and landscapes near my home. After working in the medical lab, and pharmaceutical businesses for many years, I decided I needed a career change, and to explore my creative nature. While still working, I went back to school taking various courses in Art and Design at the UC Extension in San Francisco. I took some courses in Landscape Architecture and Garden Design, and I realized plants and landscapes are a passion, and I needed to follow that. In 2008, I completed the Environmental Horticulture and Design program at Foothill College. In 2008, I went to work for Blue Sky Farms, a native plant nursery in Half Moon Bay, where I learned more about drought tolerant and California native plants. My own landscape at home is starting to resemble the native coastal scrub that surrounds El Granada, where I live. Sprinkled around that are fruit trees, and plants from New Zealand, Australia and the Mediterranean areas of the world. These plants are tough, and like the same climate as our San Francisco Bay Area, dry summers and wet winters. In 2010 our Masters watercolor class in Botanical Illustration through Strybing Aboretum participated in the Chomp II exhibit at The Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco. The artists completed watercolors and pen and Ink paintings of carnivorous plants. We co exhibited with a garden of very unique and interesting carnivorous plants. All proceeds from sales went to the Conservatory. I'm happy to be at Common Ground, exploring a new phase of horticulture, working with a nice group of people, excellent volunteers, and very interesting, knowledgeable customers.

Lina graduated from San Jose State University with an Environmental Studies degree and a minor in Climate Change Strategies in 2012. While working towards her degree, Lina developed an interest in the impact of food on the environment, including social justice issues and global climate change. It all started when she read the book Cool Cuisine: Taking the Bite out of Global Warming, written by Chef Laura Stec and Dr. Eugene Cordero. Her curiosity about the subject got her involved with the Green Ninja Project. The Green Ninja is a climate-action superhero who fights global warming by inspiring personal action, and informs people about how they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions through modifying their eating habits via social media. "Ultimately, my purpose is to encourage people become more self-sufficient by growing some of their food, and by supporting their local economies by eating local, seasonal produce".