Manager of Operations

Sarah joined us after years of experience with sustainable farms, flower gardens, and various vineyards. Her degree in Environmental Science and Economics makes her a valuable and well-rounded addition to our team. As manager, she keeps the pulse on all gardens, helps with paperwork, and is Abigail’s all around right-hand woman. In her free time she loves to find new ways to turn her lawn into gardens, hike, and kayak. Sarah’s favorite plants are bulbs because they wake her up from winter by signaling the start of spring!

Lead Gardener

Lydia came to us from the world of art, photography and retail, having worked at Scarpa as an Inventory Manager and at Plow & Hearth Headquarters in Madison as a Photo Stylist. Lydia has a BS in Photography from James Madison University and if you want to check out her paintings, follow her at @lydiajacobsstudios on Instagram. Lydia’s horticulture experience is mostly home-grown, with a bit of time at The Market at Grelen thrown in. Her enthusiasm for gardening and her eye for detail make her a great team member. Her specialty is cut flowers, which she loves because they provide endless possibilities. They’re great for pollinators, come in interesting colors, and look just as good in your home as they do in the landscape!

Training Manager

Andy was born and raised in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he received a BS in psychology and sociology. Andy grew up hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and has always found peace and serenity in nature. His love for gardening was inspired by his mother, who tirelessly tends to her flower and vegetable gardens. Someday Andy hopes to explore the therapeutic connection between gardening and emotional wellbeing. His favorite plants are large trees due to their wisdom, resiliency, and the protection they provide. When Andy isn't working, he loves to read, make music with friends, and ride his bike.

Headquarters Manager

Nathan was born in New Jersey and has always had a passion for nature. He has spent much of his time outdoors hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, and camping. This passion for nature led him to get a degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies at Rowan University. Following his college education, he worked at a county park where he gained knowledge on native plants. From there his passion for plants grew and sparked his interest in horticulture. To him there is nothing more rewarding than a hard day’s work outside. His favorite plants are ferns because they are ancient plants that have been around for over 300 million years.

Lead Gardener

Having grown up in Hanover, Virginia, on a small farm, Naomi got to enjoy being outside everyday. Gardening professionally is relatively new endeavor for her, joining us after having been in the world of EMS for 14 years working as a paramedic both in hospital and in transport. Nature is Naomi’s happy place and she is glad to enter into a profession that immerses her so fully in it. Particularly, the melding of art and nature bring her a lot of joy. Naomi’s favorite plants are all kinds of ferns with their full and feathery appearance. When not working, she enjoys LARPing, rock climbing, scuba diving, and hanging out with her cats.

Lead Gardener

Lauren grew up in Richmond, VA and from a young age wanted nothing more than to be running outside barefoot or climbing trees. She went on to get her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia, and then her Permaculture certification through the Shenandoah Permaculture Institute. After spending three years working on organic farms both locally and internationally, she devoted the next three years working as an arborist for a small local tree care company as a groundee and climber. Enchanted by the beauty and connection between people and their home gardens, she is excited to learn more about horticulture during her time at AG. When she’s not tending to her home garden, you can find her reading, seeking out live music, walking her dog Lila, or creating with paints or block prints. She finds foxglove to be absolutely magical, but nothing brings her more joy than goldenrod swaying in the autumn breeze.

Gardener

Elin's love of gardening began with a few backyard cherry tomato plants she grew with her mom as a child. She is born and raised right here in Crozet, Virginia. Over the years, she has explored her love of horticulture through more home gardening projects that include starting pots of basil from seed, creating hanging baskets full of colorful flowers, and most recently she began a raised bed garden space with plans for expansion over the next few years. Elin is new to gardening professionally, and joined the team after several years in the retail and restaurant industry. Currently she is pursuing a business degree at Piedmont Virginia Community College with plans to complete a Bachelor's degree in sustainable horticulture. Her favorite plant is a dahlia- they are elegant, colorful, and light up a bouquet. In her free time she enjoys cooking with local produce, arranging fresh cut flowers from the farmers market and hanging out with her pets, friends, and family.

Gardener

Ashley grew up in the Charlottesville area and has a background in fine dining. She joins us after relocating from Richmond VA, where she spent the last 3 years learning and exploring the world of horticulture as a gardener for a boutique landscaping firm. Ashley has always found comfort and adventure in nature and has a curiosity for the symbiotic relationships within an ecosystem. She is interested in learning more about creating habitats, native flora, and conservation. When not working she can be found reading books in shady places, camping, kayaking, and spending time with friends and family. One of her favorite flowers is bleeding hearts for their whimsy.