http://www.gardengreen.org/
Focused on the Pacific Northwest, the purpose of this page is to help people have beautiful, productive gardens, small farms, and landscapes without using toxic pesticides. We will share timely, relevant information on toxic pesticides and alternatives to their use. We encourage questions on toxic pesticides and their alternatives from gardeners, landscapers, homeowners, farmers, and retailers, and will do our best to research and answer them in a timely manner. Support for this page is currently provided by the Vashon-Island Groundwater Protection Committee: https://www.kingcounty.gov/services/environment/water-and-land/groundwater/management-areas/vashon-maury-island-gwma/committee.aspx
MICHAEL LAURIE
Michael has been researching and working to reduce toxic pesticide use in the Pacific Northwest since 2003. He served on the Washington Toxics Coalition board for 2 years. His work on pesticide education on Vashon Island, Washington has been done with retailers, home gardeners, Master Gardeners, professional landscapers, and other Vashon organizations. He led the effort to create guides to toxic pesticides for Vashon Island retailers to post in their pesticide aisle, an ongoing effort since 2007. Over the years, his efforts have been supported and sponsored by Puget Sound Partnership, The Vashon-Maury Island Groundwater Protection Committee, Seattle Tilth, King County, Washington, Sustainable Vashon, the Rose Foundation, and many individuals. Trained as a Master Gardener and Master Composter, Michael has been gardening organically for over 40 years. In his home garden (with Diane Emerson) he grows over 300 species of culinary and medicinal herbs, fruit, vegetables, native plants, and ornamental plants. Michael has been a sustainability consultant for over 30 years, and founded Watershed LLC, http://www.WatershedLLC.net
DIANE EMERSON
Diane joined Michael in this work in 2014. She knows chemicals, having a science degree and 17 years working in the specialty chemical industry. She, like Michael, has been an organic gardener for over 40 years, and has found many ways to get the job done without using toxic chemicals. A past president of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, Diane has given numerous presentations on organic gardening, and advised and encouraged thousands of gardeners over the years. She obtained her permaculture design certificate in 2012 from Starhawk’s Earth Activist Training.
