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True Roots Natural Landscaping

True Roots Natural Landscaping

True Roots specializes in ecological landscaping: designing, installing and maintaining gardens that are inspired by Nature and benefit the environment. Our methods are all-natural. We serve the greater Philadelphia, PA region. www.ourtrueroots.com

• Startup type: Company
• Status: Active
• Stage: Growth

Training:
B.A. in English/Writing from Ithaca College, 1991.
Two-year organic farming apprenticeship, at the Accokeek Foundation.
Two-year horticulture training, at Longwood Gardens.
Environmental Leadership Program, 2004
Work:
One year of environmental justice and community gardening, Greater Newark Conservancy.
Six years of urban agriculture and community gardening, Pennsylvania Horticulture Society.
One year as a seasonal horticulturist at Chanticleer Garden.
Business:
Created True Roots in 2007; incorporated in 2008.
Other credentials:
Certified Horticulturist with the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association.
Soon to be a Certified Organic Land Care Professional with NOFA.
Memberships:
Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association
Sustainable Business Network
Environmental Leadership Program
Habitat Resources of Southeast PA

Employer:	True Roots Natural Landscaping, Media, PA
Position:	Owner
Time period:	February 2008 - Present
Description:	Perform all aspects of ownership, management and field work of a horticultural landscape company. Legal establishment of company, accounting, purchases, marketing, networking client relations, garden design and implementation, tool acquisition and maintenance, continue training, all horticulture services including but not limited to: plant health care, pruning, garden design, plant installation, weeding, pest and disease ID and treatment, and other aspects of owning/operating a landscaping business.

Employer:	Chanticleer Garden, Wayne, PA
Position:	Seasonal Horticulturist
Time period:	February 2008 - November 2008
Description:	Perform any horticultural duties to support the full-time horticulture staff, including but not limited to: planting, relocation of large plants, pruning, weeding, watering, potting up, operate tractors and bucket loaders, mowing, back-pack blowing, tool maintenance, stream bank restoration, and more.

Employer:	Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Position:	Professional Gardener student and employee
Time period:	February 2006 - January 2008
Description:	A full-time, two-year work/study program, providing education (see below) and experience in most aspects of horticulture, including outdoor and conservatory gardening, arboriculture, integrated pest management, greenhouse and nursery production, plant records, grounds keeping and more. Worked daily with Longwood Gardens staff to accomplish tasks. Equipment operation: John Deere, Kubota and New Holland bucket loaders; BobCat and Takeuchi skidsteers; Toro Dingo; Haulotte lift; Bucket truck.

Employer:	Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia, PA
Position:	Community Greening Project Coordinator
Time period:	March 2000 - January 2006
Description:	Collaborate with staff to: Support over 400 Philadelphia Green community garden group; Help over 60 new groups start gardens; Create educational materials and present workshops on organic gardening and group organizing; Organize events and meetings; Develop programming and write grants; Manage budgets; Hire and manage contractors.

Employer:	The Ecosystem Farm at the Accokeek Foundation, Accokeek, MD
Position:	Organic Farm Apprentice
Time period:	March 1998 - November 1999
Description:	Two-year program with emphasis on farm and crew management. Engaged in all aspects of intensive, small-scale organic farming, both manual and mechanical, including: seed-to-harvest crop planning; greenhouse management; crew management; Grow Biointensive(SM) gardening; manual and tractor cultivation; harvest, packing and distribution for 65-member CSA; give workshops and tours; write articles about the farm.

Employer:	Cornucopia Network of New Jersey, Montclair, NJ
Position:	Volunteer Board Member
Time period:	August 1997 - February 1998
Description:	Work with CNNJ board and members on public awareness campaign about USDA organic standards, organic farming and other ecological issues.

Employer:	Greater Newark Conservancy, Newark, NJ
Position:	Project Coordinator
Time period:	March 1996 - July 1997
Description:	Community Greening Coordinator Supported Newark residents in starting and maintaining community gardens and other horticulture projects; led workshops and events; wrote program materials, grant proposals and reports. Environmental Justice Coordinator Led the Newark Environmental Coalition, addressing local environmental issues; organized members, meetings and activities; wrote program materials, grant proposals and reports.

Employer:	Enterprise Systems and Services, Inc., Hoboken, NJ
Position:	Marketing and Advertising Assistant
Time period:	October 1994 - March 1996
Description:	Composed and designed marketing materials for facilities management software; designed PowerPoint presentations; created and maintained web sites for ESS and clients; provided marketing and sales support.

Employer:	L’Univers Jeune Public, Le Havre, France
Position:	Apprentice Stage Technician
Time period:	July 1992 - September 1994
Description:	Learned all aspects of stage management in children’s theater in Le Havre and on tour; created and performed plays; translated theater texts, press packets and contracts, and managed a U.S. tour.

University:	Ithaca College
Time period:	1985 - 1991
Degree:	English/Writing, BA

Memberships:

Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association - Member Hardy Plant Society, Mid-Atlantic Region – Member Environmental Leadership Program – Fellow Sierra Club, National Resource Defense Council, National Wildlife Federation - Member