Anna comes from a long line of farmers and gardeners. She grows plants for food, dye-stuffs, and native species for beauty and to benefit local ecology. Creating sustainable/seasonal food systems, and natural pigment and materials is a conscious part of her work. Anna completed the Utah Master Gardner program through Utah State University Extension in 2021 and along with her lifelong dedication to growing plants. In 2023 Anna acquired a small plot of agricultural land that she will be working to develop into a permaculture based dye plant farm and pollinator habitat. She was a recipient of 90 plants from the Utah Pollinator Habitat Grant and has begun planting native trees.
Anna understands native pollinators and especially native bee species are crucial to the health of ecosystems. Native bees are dramatically decreasing due to habitat loss, use of pesticides, and pressure from honey bee colonies. Honey bees are not native to the United States and are used in agriculture and honey production, their presence and dominance can have negative impacts on smaller solitary endemic species. Utah is home to over 1000 species of native bees and many have symbiotic relationships with native plants. Because of this Anna has spent multiple years creating a no-water native plant/flower garden on her property to supplement these important species in a water wise way.
