An avid gardner, Jeff is excited to be a part of Compost Casa and help spread the word of how to reduce environmental impacts through sustainable approaches in farming. Spending summers on his grandparents’ ranch in Redding, CA, he understands that farming is more than just a place to source food, but is a stewardship of the land that connects us to generations past. Using traditional ecological knowledge, science, and common sense, we can positively impact the future of farming, and our planet, for many generations to come. Jeff is the Senior Project Manager of Exhibits at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and has previously worked with education partners at Macmillan McGraw-Hill, The United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, and several arts organizations in the Portland area.

Jeffrey is an award winning educator who has been teaching music, theatre, and the performing arts for over 30 years. Originally from Chico, CA, Jeffrey grew up surrounded by the famed almond orchards and agriculture of the North Valley. While there, he was the staff accompanist at CSU, Chico, and co-founded Theatre ETC, a children’s theatre school. He continues to teach both children and adults as well as performing around the greater Portland area with such companies as Portland Center Stage, Broadway Rose Theatre Company, Oregon Children’s Theatre, and many more. Jeffrey’s network extends beyond educators in the school districts of Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties, but also to the food world as well. He is also a baker and cook and is excited to tie his knowledge of culinary practices back to the source of where it all comes from: nutrient rich soil that is sustainably farmed.

Hello! I'm the heart behind the Compost Casa. As a devoted mother of two wonderful boys, my journey in sustainability and education is fueled by a simple, yet profound mission—to nurture an understanding and appreciation for the food we eat, the hands that grow it, and the earth it comes from. My days are rich with the joys and challenges of motherhood, and I proudly wear the hat of a rancher, where the cycles of life and nature are part of our family's daily rhythm. My commitment to fostering growth extends beyond the fields and into the classroom, where I bring the seeds of knowledge to life as a high school teacher at our local charter school. My garden is my canvas, a place where I express creativity and cultivate not only plants but also ideas and possibilities. It's a living laboratory where my children and I learn the value of nurturing the soil that, in turn, nourishes us. It's this passion for growth, both in the garden and in our youth, that has blossomed into Compost Casa. Here, we're not just teaching about composting and farming; we're sowing the seeds of responsibility and enterprise. As we guide our community in transforming waste into worth and learning to respect the bounty of the earth, we also aim to cultivate the business acumen necessary to thrive in this economy. Join us as we dig deep—not just into the soil, but into the essence of what it means to be stewards of our planet and architects of our future.

Meet Jake, the innovative force of Compost Casa and the cornerstone of our ranching heritage. With a background in mechanical engineering and a rancher's soul, Jake's unique blend of skills and passion drives our mission forward. Jake's expertise is not confined to the mechanics of machinery; it extends into the very mechanics of life. His dedication to health and nutrition is rooted in a deep-seated belief that food is the essence of well-being. At the heart of his endeavors is a commitment to imparting this wisdom to his children, teaching them the intrinsic value of life and the land.For Jake, being a father is the most sacred of roles. He approaches fatherhood with the same intentionality and fervor he devotes to his agricultural pursuits. Every moment spent with his boys is an opportunity to instill the virtues of this life—responsibility, care, and the satisfaction of a hard day's work under the open sky. Jake's love for ranching and his family is paralleled only by his desire to share this love with the community. Through Compost Casa, he channels his knowledge and engineering acumen into creating a space where sustainability is not just a concept, but a living, breathing part of who we are.