Carolyn Friend
Calabasas,CA
Summary
Trained gardener, gardening educator and advocate with 20 years of experience.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Los Angeles County Master Gardener
Volunteer Service
01.2022 - Current
- Master Gardeners are trained by University of California Cooperative Extension specialists and other qualified instructors, who use research-based information to promote environmentally responsible and sustainable horticultural practices in the home, community and school landscapes.
- Worked as GROW LA Garden Workshop Volunteer teaching low cost vegetable and herb gardens to community members.
- Member of Health and Wellness Committee focused on healthy growing and eating programs and therapeutic strategies in the garden.
- Pollinator Group member responsible for community education about native plants, maintaining healthy ecosystems for pollinators. Tracked Monarch Butterfly migration for the Monarch Project.
- Native Plant Group member focused on propagating and maintaining native plants.
- Designed, maintained and facilitated various gardens and gardening education programs at schools, libraries, hospitals, non-profits and community centers.
School and Community Garden Advocate
Volunteer Position
04.2005 - Current
- Worked with teachers and families to implement school gardens and gardening education in 4 independent LA area schools. Wrote curriculum, designed gardens, taught classes, ran garden clubs, built and maintained gardens, raised funds for garden programs.
- Served as Community Liason to Temple Israel of Hollywood's' community garden. Organized volunteers, class projects and fundraising.
- Designed a sensory and vegetable garden for special education students at Wedby High in West Adams.
- Active, current gardening/food security volunteer for many local organizations like LA General Hospital, Big Sunday, PATH, GrowGood Farms, Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Hospital, LA Family Housing, Venice Clinic and many more.
- Designed, installed and maintained organic, permaculture based home garden on 1.5 acres including 12 raised beds, fruit trees, small vineyard and animal rescue including horses, goats, pigs, chickens.
Small Business Co-Owner
Hands-On-Third
01.2009 - 01.2013
- Built successful brick and mortar arts and crafts business from the ground up.
- Wrote and developed curriculum for 20 arts and crafts classes. Found and hired expert teachers, managed 16 part time and 4 full time employees.
- Developed Hands-On-Third branded product line for in store retail including DIY screenprinting, sewing and jewelry making kits.
- Managed Artist in Residence Program, taught classes, oversaw customer service, decorated store windows, created eye-catching in-store displays.
- Created additional revenue streams to boost income including successful kid's birthday party program, artist studio space and photo shoot location rental.
- Member of Third Street Business Owners Association, staffed trade show and festival booths, wrote and developed marketing campaigns.
Marketing and Development Professional
Entertainment Industry
02.1994 - 01.2003
- Produced advertising and marketing campaigns for new media start-ups like LAUNCH and Virtual World Entertainment. Created and implemented campaigns for live entertainment clients including the Greek Theater, the Nederlander Organization, the Pantages Theater and Live Nation.
- Reviewed creative materials, books, articles, comics searching for new material worthy of optioning for TV.
- Worked with screenwriters and TV/Film executives to develop TV shows for Brandon Tartikoff/H. Beale Company and Warner Brothers Studios.
Education
Plant And Animal Care -
Partial List of Classes And Workshops
Los Angeles, CASkills
- Design, install and maintain various garden types including organic, flower, native plant, vegetable, butterfly and hummingbird, sensory and therapeutic
- Familiar with seed saving, plant propagation, composting, soil amending, sustainable gardening techniques
- Therapeutic garden design and programming
- Chicken keeping, nature crafts, vermiculture, mycology, CSA development, garden building construction
Timeline
Los Angeles County Master Gardener
Volunteer Service
01.2022 - Current
Small Business Co-Owner
Hands-On-Third
01.2009 - 01.2013
School and Community Garden Advocate
Volunteer Position
04.2005 - Current
Marketing and Development Professional
Entertainment Industry
02.1994 - 01.2003
Plant And Animal Care -
Partial List of Classes And Workshops