From April 2024
As a Pacific Northwest native, Jayne Hill is grateful to have grown up in a beautiful part of the country with an appreciation of the nature that surrounds us here. Jayne was born in Yakima but moved to Corvallis at nine years of age. After high school she studied biology and then pharmacy. She graduated from Oregon State University in 1989 and has worked in various pharmacist positions since; currently at Providence Hood River Hospital.
While at OSU, she was drawn to growing her own vegetables in a small garden plot in a community garden at Avery Park. There she was able to successfully grow broccoli, lettuce, carrots and herbs in the forgiving climate of the Willamette Valley. That initial success motivated her to create small garden spaces whenever possible as she moved to New Jersey, Germany, California, Boise and finally White Salmon.
Jayne and her husband were drawn to the Columbia Gorge area by their mutual love of the outdoors. Jayne’s passions include hiking, backpacking and biking. Additionally, she is a book lover and seconds Past CGMGA President (2023) Leanne Hogie’s previous recommendation from the April 2023 CGMGA newsletter of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The book serves to remind us that actions have an impact and implores us to delve deeper into the interconnectivity we all have with nature. Along with this allure of the scenic outdoors, Jayne was particularly drawn to the rural feel of the area and the talented gardeners, farmers and naturalists who call this home.
In 2022, Jayne joined the Master Gardner program to further her knowledge of gardening. She finds it fun to be back in the classroom but in a low stress and supportive environment. Her interests have evolved as she learned more in the past 2+ years. As those in the MG program can attest, it’s a slippery slope once you start learning the amazing subjects involved in being a Master Gardner. Your quest for learning metamorphosizes to a need to learn about subjects you never knew were so enticing. For Jayne, she discovered a need to learn about native plants, pollinator friendly spaces and being ecology friendly, first and foremost. She was especially influenced by the Humble Roots presentation last year by Kristin Currin and Andrew Merrill. It sparked an interest to learn more about incorporating native planting in her own garden and making it a sustainable space for pollinators.
This year, she has already noted, as many MGs have, the impact the Traditional Gathering with Three Generations presentation had on her. It impacted the way she viewed her environment. For Jayne the presentation by Mary Lee Jones, Marlene White and Joelle Jones was not only moving, but the connection they made with their presentation will last long beyond their words.
Her advice for trainees is to try a lot of different projects, then find your niche and focus on that so you can use your skills. Jayne tried different projects as a trainee and is now involved with the Annual Plant Sale where she is learning how to navigate the Shopify platform and at the Fish Food Bank Garden which she finds to be a valuable and needed endeavor for our community. She is inspired by both the experienced Master Gardeners for their knowledge, skills and amazing dedication, as well as the trainees for their enthusiasm, knowledge and skills they bring to the program. She notes, every single gardener is so willing to share both their knowledge and kindness. The diverse backgrounds and knowledge each person brings collectively is energizing. As she says, “the art is finding what you are interested in and getting out of it what you give.”
Jayne summarizes it best as to what brings us together as Master Gardeners: From the beginning of our journey as trainees, we traverse the path recertifying year after year until, fingers crossed, one becomes a Lifetime MG. It’s because we all “love the magic” of the garden. Isn’t that what it is all about in the end?
By Stephanie Gale-McKnight
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