About Us

Our Vision

Garden education and food literacy in every classroom, organization, health care centre and home garden year-round — no matter the climate.

Our Misson

Gather together and empower anyone to grow their own food with intention, deepen their connection to the Land, and be nourished by a resilient food system rooted in community.

Our Values

Collaboration • Abundance • Steadfastness

Our Story

Jess and Kirsten worked together in Agri-tech hydroponics for 3 years, where they built tools and created resources to help new gardeners feel supported on their gardening journeys. They discovered that although growing your own food is essential many have not had the opportunity to learn.

With a shared love of food and a perfect pairing of agricultural experience (Jess) with business brains (Kirsten), Gather Gardeners’ story began.

Meet the Team

  • Jessica holding a large bundle of carrots in a garden

    Jessica Jones

    Founder and Director

    Jess grew up in a small town near Lake Huron. Although not from a farming family, she started growing tomatoes in her backyard at just seven years old.

    She has 10 years of experience in indoor hydroponics, market gardening, mushroom cultivation, and raising chickens. She co-founded a certified-organic vegetable and oyster mushroom farm on Vancouver Island.

    Jess’s Qualifications:

    Permaculture Design Certificate, University of Victoria (2017); Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo (2018); Bachelor of Education (BEd), University of British Columbia

  • Kristen flipping through a cookbook in a grocery store

    Kirsten Hinlopen

    Business Operations and Home Cook

    Kirsten embraces the journey of bringing food from the soil to the table, whether from her own container and patio garden spaces, local farmers or taking in some of Jessica’s excess.

    With a deep love for cooking at home, Kirsten recognizes the essential role fresh ingredients play in creating nourishing and delightful meals. Her wealth of knowledge includes invaluable tips and tricks to help you make the most of your summer harvests, ensuring their bounty lasts until the next summer.

    With three years of experience working in indoor hydroponic growing, Kirsten firmly believes that regardless of the available space, be it indoors or outdoors, anyone can cultivate an abundance of food

  • Caitie standing in front of a large rock on a stone beach

    Caitie Walker

    Marketing and Brand Identity Lead

    Caitie works with the online presence of Gather Gardeners, specifically the upkeep of the website.

    With an Undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo in Biological Anthropology and Environmental Studies, and a diploma in Advertising and Marketing Communications in progress from Conestoga College, Caitie is passionate about both sustainability and the effectiveness of branding!

  • Kyle Born

    COMING SOON

  • Amy Turton

    COMING SOON

We believe everyone is a steward of the Land. We all have a responsibility to not just put our best intentions forward, but to take action on our values every day.

Our values:

🌱 Collaboration

🌱 Abundance

🌱 Steadfastness

Gardening Principles

Read our blog post and get to know how we design gardens:

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