Mel’s picture of a painted tractor, taken during her visit to Oxbow Farm.

We recently caught up with IslandWood’s Garden Staff Instructor, Mel Church, to hear about her fall adventures exploring gardens and farms around Puget Sound. Mel, who traded the Arizona sunshine for our lovely drizzle a couple of years ago, is on a mission to connect with garden folks across the region. Here’s what she had to say.

Q: Mel, can you tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to the Pacific Northwest?

Absolutely! A couple of years ago, I swapped the bright sunshine of Arizona for the drizzly charm of the Pacific Northwest. While it’s been quite the weather adjustment (hello, rain boots!), my passion for garden education has never been brighter. I’m on a mission to connect with as many incredible garden folks as I can around the Puget Sound, and this fall, I hit the road to do just that!

Q: One of your stops was Oxbow Farm in Carnation. What stood out to you there?

Oxbow Farm is a gardener’s dream! They have a two-acre learning garden that hosts field trips and summer camps. How amazing is that? During my visit, I had the chance to roll up my sleeves and harvest some squash. Afterward, I got to weigh and label it for sale at a local market. Seeing the balance between education and produce production was so inspiring. It’s a great example of how gardens can nourish both bodies and minds.

Q: You also visited the Seattle PlayGarden. What did you find inspiring about that space?

At the Seattle PlayGarden, I had the chance to reconnect with IslandWood Graduate Program alum, Hannah Gallagher (Class of 2016). She gave me a tour of the site and showed me some of the garden’s inclusive features, designed to make the space welcoming for everyone. Highlights included a sunflower tunnel that preschoolers absolutely adore, some very entertaining chickens, and a little wild zone perfect for exploration. It’s inspired me to think about adding more inclusive features to our garden at IslandWood—because gardening should be for everyone!

Q: What was your experience like at the Good Shepherd Center, run by Tilth Alliance?

The Good Shepherd Center is doing some seriously awesome work in garden education. I was especially excited about their food-themed gardens—imagine a pizza garden or a soup garden! It’s such a fun, creative way to connect kids with where their food comes from. I’m already brainstorming how we could bring some of these ideas to life in our own garden spaces.

Q: Your final stop was the Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands. What did you learn there?

Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands is an urban oasis that partners with Rainier Beach High School to give students hands-on opportunities to grow and cook their own food. I got to watch students make salsa with tomatillos they had planted and harvested themselves. Talk about a full-circle moment! It was incredible to see how gardens can serve as both classrooms and kitchens, empowering young people to connect with food in such a meaningful way.

Q: What’s next for you after these visits?

I came back from these adventures absolutely bursting with new ideas and inspiration. From Oxbow’s dual focus on farming and education to the Seattle PlayGarden’s commitment to inclusivity, there’s so much to learn from these amazing spaces. And the best part? This is just the beginning! I’m already planning more visits for the spring, and my dream is to team up with these incredible organizations to make garden education even more impactful across Puget Sound.

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