Rick Perillo

I grew up on the edge of Los Angeles where the urban sprawl gives way to sandstone boulders and twisted oaks. My childhood experiences instilled a love of nature in me. Following this path, I have worked towards building healthy communities that function within ecological principles. My vision of the city is one where all residents have access to healthy food and where vibrant ecosystems exist in every neighborhood. My education has taken me to Organic farms in New Zealand and Colorado. On these farms I have worked with food systems that build soil fertility and sequester carbon while producing food. I have also learned the lessons taught from a whole day with your hands in the soil pulling weeds, up close with each plant. Through the Master Gardener Program and two Permaculture Design courses, I have learned how to implement principles of sustainable design. Professionally, I have worked in education and program development for non-profits and schools. This has included fundraising, grant writing, volunteer management, event coordinating and education. As an educator I use the garden as a space to connect students to the outdoors. I have created and taught curriculum that integrates California State and Common Core Standards into the garden. My curriculum emphasize environmental and social awareness and encourages critical thinking skills. I write about gardening and sustainability at www.thecarrotrevolution.com