Founder and Director

Jess is passionate about deepening her connection with people and plants!

Jess grew-up in a small town off of Lake Huron in a suburb surrounded by corn fields, where she dreamed of a late summer evening when she could crunch into a peaches and cream corn-on-the-cob. Although, she did not grow-up in a farming family, that did not stop her from growing her first tomato plants in her suburban backyard at only 7 years old.

Gather’s master gardener has 8 years of professional growing experience in: indoor hydroponics, outdoor market gardening, mushroom cultivation, and raising happy chickens. She owned her own certified-organic mixed vegetable and oyster mushroom farm for 2 years on Vancouver Island. During this time, she paired long hours in the field with lectures and field-course education:

Lectures and field-course based education at the University of Victoria to complete her Permaculture Design Certificate, 2017;

Geography and Environmental Management program at the University of Waterloo, 2018;

Organic Master Gardener Certificate from Gaia College, 2021

The next adventure led her to move to Vancouver to pursue indoor agriculture for 3 years. Her time in Vancouver has been focused on garden design and growing in small and unusual urban spaces. Today she is passionate about helping others learn how to grow their own vegetables, microgreens, mushrooms and more in whatever urban or rural environment they have access to! When Jess isn’t in the garden, you’ll see her riding her bike along the seawall, enjoying live music, or hibernating indoors with her many artistic hobbies during the rainy season.

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

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!

COMING SOON