Toby Hemenway Biography

TOBY HEMENWAY - by Pearl Anderson ..OMGA NEWSLETTER

MASTER GARDENER SPOTLIGHT You've seen him sitting up there, at the table in front with the rest of the officers of our group. He's quiet, and when he does offer a comment, it's in a low, pleasant voice. You may recognize Toby Hemenway as the Vice President of the Douglas County Master Gardeners, but there is more than meets the eye here.

Our Vice President grew up in the Midwest and New England. After college, he moved to Seattle, where he did research in cancer and genetics. After many years as a scientist, he found his true love - nature, and particularly, plants.

Four years ago, he moved to Oakland, OR, where he teaches and writes about permaculture, and environmentally friendly gardening. Toby works on a 10 acre homestead he shares with his wife.

He is currently working on a book called, "The Ecological Garden," which tells how to combine edible landscaping with wildlife gardening to create sustainable and beautiful landscapes that benefit people as well as the rest of nature.

His articles about various experiments and adventures in gardening that occur on his place occasionally find their way to the pages of the Master Gardener newsletter. The insight and humor, along with the basic information he brings to these articles, make him a valued source for all of us. Thank you, Toby, for your contributions to the Douglas County Master Gardeners.